The City of Winnipeg has filed a lawsuit against engineering firm Stantec Consulting Ltd. alleging it was negligent in its design and construction of the Sturgeon Creek Bridge.

The city is seeking $2.2 million in damages after an earth wall that was to support the bridge structure and road surface on the riverbank collapsed.

“Stantec breached its contract and was negligent by providing engineering advice that fell below the standard of a registered Manitoba professional engineer,” says the statement of claim filed with the Court of Queens Bench on March 29.

Court documents claim the earth wall was washed out by a ruptured water main in March 2014.

The city alleges Stantec is to blame for building the wall on top of the water main and “failing to advise the city of the risk associated with proceeding with design,” the statement of claim said.

The city claims it made Stantec aware of the existing water main before the earth wall was built but Stantec advised “it would not be feasible or necessary to determine the exact location of the water main” before construction.

The city pegs the costs associated with fixing the wall at $2.2 million.

Keith Shillington, senior vice president for Stantec Canada Prairies, sent a statement to CBC.

“We have worked closely with the City of Winnipeg and have been in consistent communication with them throughout the construction of the Sturgeon Creek Bridge and the water main break. We were only recently advised of this lawsuit and we are reviewing the matter. However, we are committed to working to achieve a fair and equitable resolution, and remain dedicated to working with the City,” the statement said.