Ventura v. Ohio Dept. of Transp.
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IN THE COURT OF CLAIMS OF OHIO
PATRICIA VENTURA
:
Plaintiff
:
v.
:
CASE NO. 2004-06640-AD
:
ENTRY OF DISMISSAL
OHIO DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION
Defendant
:
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{¶ 1} On June 17, 2004, plaintiff filed a complaint against defendant, Department of
Transportation. Plaintiff alleges on June 9, 2004, while traveling under the Rockside Road Bridge
on Interstate 271 in Bedford Heights, Ohio, an object struck her windshield causing damage.
Plaintiff asserts construction work was being performed on the bridge at the time of the incident.
Plaintiff seeks reimbursement for windshield replacement in the amount of $259.20 from the
defendant. Plaintiff submitted the filing fee with the complaint.
{¶ 2} On August 5, 2004, defendant filed a motion to dismiss. In support of the motion to
dismiss, defendant stated in pertinent part:
{¶ 3} “Defendant asserts it is not responsible for the maintenance of I-271 under the Rockside
Road Bridge in Bedford Heights, Ohio. On August 2, 1965, the Ohio Department of Transportation
signed an Ordinance with the City of Bedford Heights for maintenance services of I-80 and I-271
(See Exhibit A). This agreement is still in affect.
{¶ 4} “Defendant asserts that pursuant to the agreement between the Ohio Department of
Transportation and the City of Bedford Heights, the City of Bedford Heights, and not the defendant,
is responsible for maintaining the roadway upon which plaintiff’s incident occurred, that being on I271 under the Rockside Road Bridge, within the City of Bedford Heights.”
{¶ 5} Plaintiff has not responded to defendant’s motion to dismiss.
[Cite as Ventura v. Ohio Dept. of Transp., 2004-Ohio-5145.]
{¶ 6} The site of plaintiff’s incident was within the city limits of Bedford Heights.
{¶ 7} An ordinance was passed by the City of Bedford Heights and became effective on July
20, 1965. The ordinance in pertinent part stated:
{¶ 8} “NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Ordained by the Council of the City of Bedford Heights,
Ohio:
{¶ 9} “SECTION 2: That the city hereby proposes to cooperate with the State of Ohio and
will bear the cost, and
{¶ 10} “(b) Maintain and repair the wearing surface on bridges carrying municipal streets over
the interstate highway when such wearing surface is separate from the bridge floor slab. Changes in
type of depth of wearing surface will not be permitted without prior approval by the State.”
{¶ 11} The site of the damage causing incident, the Rockside Road Bridge, was not the
maintenance responsibility of defendant. Consequently, plaintiff’s case is DISMISSED.
{¶ 12} Having considered all the evidence in the claim file and, for the reasons set forth
above, defendant’s motion to dismiss is GRANTED. Plaintiff’s case is DISMISSED. The court
shall absorb the court cots of this case. The clerk shall serve upon all parties notice of this entry of
dismissal and its date of entry upon the journal.
________________________________
DANIEL R. BORCHERT
Deputy Clerk
Entry cc:
Patricia Ventura
9835 Memphis Avenue #12
Brooklyn, Ohio 44144
Thomas P. Pannett, P.E.
Assistant Legal Counsel
Department of Transportation
Plaintiff, Pro se
Defendant
[Cite as Ventura v. Ohio Dept. of Transp., 2004-Ohio-5145.]
1980 West Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43223
DRB/laa
8/23
Filed 9/2/04
Sent to S.C. reporter 9/27/04
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