Reinert v. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

Opinion by Judge Rogers, Marian J. Reinert and Robert L. Mitch, respectively the Administratrices of the Estates of Audrey S. Reinert and Yield. L. Mitch, both deceased, have filed a Complaint in Trespass in this Court against Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, alleging that the Department was negligent in the matter of the design and construction of Legislative Route 100 at a location in Chester County and in failing to provide notice of alleged dangerous conditions, the only such condition specified being the absence of a guard rail separating the North and South bound lanes of the road. The Commonwealth, by its Department of Transportation, has filed preliminary objections in the nature of a demurrer grounded on the Comm on - wealth’s immunity from the suit. The plaintiffs reiterate the familiar arguments against the Pennsylvania courts’ continued recognition of the so-called doctrine of sovereign immunity, despite our Supreme Court’s continued recognition of the viability of the doctrine by reason particularly of Article I, Section 11 of this State’s constitution. Specter v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 462 Pa. 474, 341 A.2d 481 (1975). We assume that the plaintiffs, as they have the undoubted right to do, wish to raise the issue again [285] in the Supreme Court. This Court must, however, sustain the Commonwealth’s preliminary objections. Order And Now, this 29th day of September, 1976, it is ordered that the preliminary objections of the Commonwealth, Department of Transportation, in the nature of a demurrer be and they are hereby sustained and the complaint herein is dismissed.