Sheehan v. Pittsburg
Sheehan v. Pittsburg
Opinion of the Court
Notwithstanding the breadth of the language of the agreement that all loss or damages from unforeseen obstructions and difficulties and from delay, were to be borne by the contractors, it-.is clear that the delay from the city’s failure to obtain complete right-of way was not in the class of difficulties and delays -which were in the minds of the parties, for the agreement itself was based on the assumption by both parties that the complete right of way had been secured'so that the work could be begun at any point and proceed without intei’ruption.
For- the same reason .the provision for extension of time only on written assent by the director of public works is not applicable.
There was therefore no breach of the agreement by the plaintiffs .which prevented them from recovering, and the authorities are clear that they were not bound to abandon the work or
The dispute as to grading was one of amount alone. The director of public works might have settled the amount conclusively by measuring and certifying it, but he did not do so. It was therefore a question for the jury.
Judgment affirmed.
Reference
- Cited By
- 24 cases
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- Contract — Municipal contract — Opening street — Delay. Where a municipal contract for the construction of a street is based on the assumption by both the city and the contractor that the complete right of way had been secured by the city, a delay caused by the failure to obtain the complete right of way is not within the meaning of a provision of the contract that all loss or damages from unforeseen obstructions and difficulties and from delay, should be borne by the contractor. In such a case a provision of a contract for extension of time only on the written assent by the director of public works is not applicable. Where a municipal contractor is delayed in completing his work by the fault of the city, he may either abandon the work, or continue it and claim the damages caused by the city’s fault. Where a dispute between a municipal contractor and a city as to grading is one of amount alone, and it appears that the city might have settled the amount conclusively by measuring and certifying it, but did not do so, the question in dispute is for the jury.