EDWARDSVILLE – Granite City Farmers allege that a newly imposed weight limit on a bridge in the City of Madison prevents them from harvesting and selling their crops.
Plaintiffs Diana Cionko, Louis Joel Cionko and Justin Daniel Cionko filed the lawsuit in the Madison County Circuit Court against the City of Madison.
According to the lawsuit, the plaintiffs collectively own several Granite City properties for the purpose of farming for profit. Part of the plaintiff's farming operation relies on vehicles having access to the Chain of Rocks Canal Bridge, which is the sole access point for vehicles to the property. Without the bridge, it would be impossible for operations at the farm to continue.
The lawsuit states that in the Spring of 2022, the City of Madison took action to reduce the weight limit on the bridge, decreasing the weight limit for vehicles entering the bridge to seven tons. The plaintiffs allege the weight limit was reduced due to Madison's negligence and failure to properly maintain the bridge, which is the city's responsibility.
The plaintiffs state that vehicles essential to their farming operation exceed the seven ton weight limit and are now prohibited from accessing the property. As a result of being unable to access the property, the plaintiffs were unable to harvest and sell their entire 2022 crop of soybeans.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus attorney's fees, court costs and any other relief the court deems proper. They are represented in this case by the attorneys of Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb, LLC in Edwardsville.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 2023LA000232