Landowner Liability for Public Road Obstruction Removal Costs

A dispute arose when a landowner, whose property bordered a public road, undertook construction work that resulted in the deposit of earth and debris onto the road, partially obstructing traffic. The administrative authority ordered the landowner to remove the obstruction, and upon their failure to comply, the authority carried out the removal itself and sought reimbursement for the costs incurred. The court upheld the lower court's decision ordering reimbursement, reasoning that the landowner had a legal obligation to maintain the integrity of the public way adjacent to their property and was therefore liable for the necessary costs when they failed to remedy the encroachment caused by their construction activities, which constituted an unauthorized obstruction of public use.