Opinion ID: 2509548
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Collateral Claims

Text: As part of the same project to streamline traffic on Highway 278, the Department initially planned to condemn a portion of HHA's property and construct a deceleration lane serving vehicles turning right onto that property. However, the Department later changed its plans to avoid the need to acquire property from HHA. HHA alleged the Department's decision in this regard amounted to a civil conspiracy orchestrated to put HHA at a strategic disadvantage by forcing it to bring an inverse condemnation claim, in violation of HHA's right to due process of law. In addition, because the Department compensated certain other property owners for damages caused by the project and included some owners in discussions regarding the placement of the new median crossover, HHA claimed the Department violated HHA's right to equal protection. Having carefully reviewed the record, we find HHA has failed to create a genuine issue of material fact as to these collateral claims.