Court Opinion

ID: 9851353
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 05:11:09.061603+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:20:54.261456
License: Public Domain

Fitzgerald, P.J.
(concurring). MCL 691.1401(e); MSA 3.996(101)(e) defines "highway” as that term is used in the "highway exception” to governmental immunity, MCL 691.1402; MSA 3.996(102):
"Highway” means every public highway, road, and street which is open for public travel and shall include bridges, sidewalks, crosswalks, and culverts on any highway. The term highway does not include alleys, trees, and utility poles.
The only dispute under the public highway exception in this case is whether the "driveway” in question constitutes a public highway within the ambit of the public highway exception to governmental immunity, MCL 691.1402; MSA 3.996(102). However, in light of our conclusion that a school district does not have jurisdiction over a public highway and therefore is not responsible for the design and maintenance of a public highway, I do not believe that the majority’s discussion of whether the area involved herein constitutes a *706public highway is necessary for a proper resolution of this case.1

 If the area is held not to be a public highway, the public highway exception to governmental immunity does not apply. If the area is held to be a public highway, the highway exception still does not apply because defendants do not have jurisdiction over public highways.