A Puerto Rico court recently ruled against B Billboard NC, LLC, in a legal dispute regarding the construction of billboards along a highway. The court's decision confirmed that the billboards were being erected without the necessary permissions, affecting the operations of Autopistas Metropolitanas de Puerto Rico, LLC (Metropistas), which manages the highway. This ruling is significant as it reinforces the importance of adhering to legal agreements and permits in construction projects.
The case, docket number TA2026AP00786, was filed in the Court of Appeals of Puerto Rico on August 31, 2026. The court's ruling was based on a previous decision made by the Tribunal de Primera Instancia, which had favored B Billboard NC, LLC, leading to Metropistas' appeal.
Background
Autopistas Metropolitanas de Puerto Rico, LLC, known as Metropistas, operates and maintains the PR-22 highway under a concession agreement with the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority. The dispute arose when B Billboard NC, LLC, along with its affiliates, began constructing two billboards on land that Metropistas claimed was under its jurisdiction. Metropistas argued that the construction was unauthorized and violated both state and federal regulations.
On July 23, 2026, Metropistas filed an appeal against a summary judgment issued by the Tribunal de Primera Instancia on July 16, 2026, which dismissed all of Metropistas' claims. The court ruled that the billboards were allowed to be constructed, leading Metropistas to seek a stay of construction while the appeal was pending.
The Ruling
The Court of Appeals upheld the lower court's ruling, confirming that the construction of the billboards was conducted without the necessary permissions. The opinion stated, "the presumption of correctness of the permits issued by the Office of Permits was not rebutted." The court emphasized that Metropistas failed to provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the billboards posed a risk to public safety or violated the terms of their concession.
The panel, composed of judges Hernández Sánchez, Santiago Calderón, and MartÃnez Cordero, concluded that Metropistas did not meet the necessary legal standards to warrant a reversal of the lower court's decision. The judges pointed out that the evidence presented did not support Metropistas' claims regarding the illegality of the permits issued for the billboards.
Impact
This ruling has significant implications for both Metropistas and B Billboard NC, LLC. For Metropistas, the decision reinforces the authority of their concession contract and the need for compliance with legal requirements in construction projects. It also serves as a reminder for other companies in Puerto Rico that adherence to regulatory frameworks is crucial to avoid similar disputes.
For B Billboard NC, LLC, the ruling allows them to continue their billboard construction, which could set a precedent for future cases involving similar disputes over construction permits and land use. The court's decision may encourage other businesses to pursue similar projects, provided they comply with the necessary legal frameworks.
What's Next
Metropistas may consider appealing the ruling to a higher court, although the court filing did not specify any immediate plans for further legal action. There are no related cases pending at this time, but the outcome of this case may influence future disputes involving construction and land use in Puerto Rico.