35 A.2d 74 | Pa. | 1943
The State Mining Commission, as provided for by the Act of July 3, 1941, P. L. 259,
In 1934 and 1935 the Borough passed two ordinances and a resolution approving the construction of the State Highway through the Borough, and adopting the grades, courses and distances suggested on the maps and plans of the State Highway Department. The construction of *324 the road, in accordance with the ordinances and plans, constituted a widening and relocation of a Borough street, and the coal for which the coal company claims damages is subjacent to this improvement.
By the passage of the two ordinances the Borough of Ashley, and not the Commonwealth, became liable for all damages incident to the construction of the improvement. The ordinances were, in effect, condemnation ordinances and a manifestation of the borough's power of eminent domain, derived from Article XIV of the General Borough Act of May 4, 1927, P. L. 519, 53 PS section 13421.
Section 10 of the Sproul Act of May 31, 1911, P. L. 468,
The Act of June 23, 1931, P. L. 920,
The Act of May 21, 1937, P. L. 757, 36 PS section 378, gave the Secretary of Highways power, independent of the approval of other officials, to change the existing widths and locations of borough streets and to pay the damages involved in these improvements from the Motor *325 License Fund. The Secretary had no such power prior to this Act and at the time these ordinances were passed in 1934 and 1935. It follows, therefore, that the Borough of Ashley alone had the power to effect the widening and relocation of this street, and by the passage of ordinances adopting the plans for such changes, is responsible in damages for the coal found to be necessary for support of the new highway route. By collaborating with the Highway Department for the purpose of constructing the state route, the Borough did not surrender its power of eminent domain. It cannot escape the liability resulting from the exercise of this power, and must respond to the party injured. Although the construction of the highway was accomplished in pursuance of an agreement between the Commonwealth and the Borough, the latter is not thereby divested of responsibility to the landowners for its exercise of eminent domain.
Order affirmed. Costs to be paid by appellant.