Delaware, Lackawanna & Western R. R. v. County Commissioners
Delaware, Lackawanna & Western R. R. v. County Commissioners
Opinion of the Court
Opinion by
This case has been exhaustively considered in the majority and minority opinions in the court below and we do not think any extended discussion here would aid in the solution of the questions at issue. The controlling question is whether or not the building of the bridge and viaduct approach thereto requires in effect a new grade crossing at Hanover street, which is prohibited by the Act of Assembly of June 7, 1901, P. L. 531. The question was answered in the affirmative by the trial judge, and in the negative by the court in banc. It is clear, we think, from the facts of the case, disclosed by the evidence, that the construction of the bridge and the viaduct will not result in a new grade crossing in contemplation of the Act of 1901.
Hanover street is an old and well established street, its exact width being uncertain. The court found that it was not less than sixteen feet and perhaps twenty or twenty-five feet. It extends from Main street over the plaintiff’s tracks to the Susquehanna river across which the bridge is being constructed. The report of reviewers appointed to locate the bridge fixed the western terminus of the viaduct at a point in the center of Hanover
While we agree with tbe court in banc that tbe plaintiff company is not entitled to enjoin tbe construction of tbe bridge and tbe viaduct because in effect it creates a new grade crossing over tbe plaintiff’s railroad, we think that in view of tbe conceded dangerous condition of tbe present crossing and tbe unquestioned increase of tbe traffic over it after tbe construction of tbe proposed improvement tbe bill should be retained as a'precaution*ary measure so as to enable tbe court to take such proceedings as may be deemed necessary in tbe future to insure, as far as possible, tbe safety of travel at that point. This will enable tbe court, upon cause shown, to exercise such control over tbe crossing as tbe dangers of tbe situation may require.
Tbe decree of tbe court below refusing tbe injunction prayed for in tbe bill is affirmed at the costs of tbe appellant, and it is ordered that tbe bill be retained for tbe purposes set forth in tbe opinion.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- The Delaware, Lackawanna & Western R. R. Co. v. County Commissioners of Luzerne County
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- Railroads — Grade crossings — Increase of traffic over crossing— Bridges — Act of June 7,1901, P. L. 5S1 — Equity jurisdiction — Injunction — Retention of bill as precautionary measure. 1. A bill in equity to restrain the erection of an approach to a county bridge, upon the ground that the erection of the bridge and the approach thereto in the location intended, would require passengers over the bridge to pass over an existing grade crossing of the complainant railroad company, and would, therefore, constitute in effect the creation of a new grade crossing within the meaning of the Act of June 7, 1901, P. L. 531, was held to have been properly dismissed where it appeared that the beginning of the approach complained of, which was on the west bank of the river spanned by the bridge, would be about forty-five feet east of the existing grade crossing. 2. In such a case, the facts that the traffic over the existing crossing would be largely increased by reason of the construction of the bridge and that the danger at the crossing would, therefore, become correspondingly greater, were held to be matters outside of and not affecting the issue. 3. In such a case, however, the court held that, in view of the conceded dangerous condition of the existing crossing and the unquestioned increase of the traffic over it after the construction of the proposed improvement, the bill should be retained as a precautionary measure so as to enable the court to take such proceedings as might be deemed necessary in the future, to insure the safety of travel at the point in question.