Norwich bulletin., 1915-04-01
BRIDGES ON THE
TRUNK LINE HIGHWAYS
Text of Bill Which Provides For Their
Construction and Maintenance.


The following is the text of the act
providing for the construction and
maintenance of bridges on trunk line
highways, which was passed in the
house Tuesday:
Section /. All bridges on trunk line
highways having a span greater than
twenty-five feet, and located in or be-
tween towns either having population
OF ten thousand or less, shall be built
or reconstructed by the highway COM
missioner at the expense of the state,
provided the state shall be reimbursed
for portion Of the expense thereof as
follows: If located within any town.
such town shall reimburse the state
for one-half the cost thereof; if be-
tween towns in the same county, such
towns shall reimburse the state for
one-ha1f the cost thereof In proportion
to their grand lists at the time of the
between counties, each county shall
reimburse the state for one-fourth the
cost thereof. When the lines of any
electric street railway company cross
such bridge, the expense of building or
reeonstructing the same shall be borne
as follows: One-third by the state,
one-third by such company, and the
remaining ione-third. If within any
town, by such town; If between towns
In the same county, by such towns in
~ OktAGAOl4 W kIIGlt SId4o tlkSlS DIT luS
time of the completion of such bridge;
if between counties, equally by such
counties. provided all bridges built or
reconstructed under the provisions of
this act shall be at least twenty three
feet in width, and if crossed by the
tracks of any electric street railway
company, such bridges shall be at least
thirty-three feet in width, and if
crossed by a double line of tracks, such
bridges shall be at least forty three
feet in width.
Sec. 2. The highway commissioner
shall deposit with the selectmen of
each town, the county commissioners
or each ceunty, and any company in
terested in the building or reconstruc-
ton Of any bridge to be built or re-
this act, the plans and specifications
and an estimate of the cost thereof not
less than thirty days prior to COM
mencing work thereon. Such plans
and specifications shall be- accom-
panied by a notice stating the inten-
reconstruct such bridge and designat-
ing place where, and a time, within
twenty days thereafter, when such
town, county, or company, by it's off,
Gals or agents, may appear and offer
such objections to the building or re-
plans and specifications or estimates
of cost thereof, provided, if the high
way commissioner shall change such
plans and specifications after such
hearing, he shall notify the selectmen
of the towns. commissioners of the
counties, and electric street railway
company, n any, occupying such
bridge, of such changes and any town.
county, or company interested therein
claiming to be, aggrieved by the action
after receipt Of such notice, may bring
its petition to the public utilities COM
mission praying that said commission
examine such plans, specifications, and
estimate of cost of such bridge. Said
commission shall give ten days mo-
commissioners. or company. as may be
interested, Of a time when and place
where such town, county, or company
by its ofhcials or agents may appear
and be heard respecting the same.
Said commission may issue an order
directing the highway commissioner to
make such changes therein as it may
deem advisable and the order of said
commission shall be final.
Sec. 8. The commissioner may pro-
vide, at the request of any interested
town, county, or company any orna-
mentation, system of lighting, or more
than one sidewalk. or additional width
on any bridge. but the state shall be
reimbursed for the entire cost thereof
by such town. county. or company.
Sec 4. The highway commissioner
shall maintain all bridges on such
highways. whether the same shall he
built or reconstructed by the commits
sioner under the provisions Of this act
or in existence or in course of con-
struetion at the time of the passage
hereof at the expense of the state, ex-
cept that whcn an electric street rail-
way company shall occupy such bridge
with it's tracks. such company shall
on or before October fifteenth. annual
ly, reimburse the state for one third
Of the cost or the maintenance there
Of for the year preceding
Sec. 5. The commissioner, within
thirty days from the completion of any
bridge built or reconstructed under the
provisions hereof, shall mail to each
town, county, or company liable for
any portion Of the expense Of the same