Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 65 - HIGHWAYS, BRIDGES AND FERRIES (§§ 65-1-1 — 65-43-85) › Chapter 33 - SEA WALLS (§§ 65-33-1 — 65-33-71) › Section 65-33-11 - Causeway or bridge to island

In event any such bonds be authorized by said election for the purpose of building or constructing any causeway or bridge to any island or islands, then and in that event, and before any of said bonds shall be sold or delivered, the said board shall take necessary steps to acquire title to all of the land on such island or islands, susceptible of private ownership, not belonging to the United States government or the State of Mississippi (exclusive of any historic fort or fortress belonging to a patriotic association with not exceeding five acres of land surrounding the same); or for binding option or other enforceable legal right to acquire the same at a price satisfactory to the said board. However, no land shall be purchased from any private owner who has acquired title to said land during the last 12 months at a price in excess of the cost to the person acquiring same except by condemnation in a court at law.
After the bond election has carried and after options have been obtained and other provisions enforceable at law satisfactory to said board of supervisors have been made for the acquisition of the land as hereinabove provided, it shall be the duty of the board of supervisors to employ a suitable engineer or engineers to make final plans, specifications, and estimates of cost of construction of the additional and supplementary protection for public roads and highways and the building and construction of any causeways, bridges, or other projects authorized by Sections
65-33-1
through
65-33-15
. Upon adoption of such plans and specifications and approval thereof by such board, or upon such adoption and approval of any revision thereof which may be made from time to time, said board of supervisors may proceed to sell and deliver said bonds, or so much thereof as may be necessary, and proceed to enter into necessary contracts to the lowest and best bidder, after advertising therefor in the manner by statute provided, and do all other things necessary toward the accomplishment of the work contemplated by such plans and specifications and to acquire in the name of such county such property or rights in property as may be necessary for the construction and execution of such plans and specifications and in compliance with the provisions of said sections relative to the acquisition of title to land on any island or islands. Said board of supervisors shall have the right to acquire by purchase, gift, or eminent domain any land or lands deemed necessary for roads, roadways, parks, recreation projects, seashore parks, or other public grounds approved by such board; no lands so acquired by eminent domain by said board for such public purposes shall be sold. Other lands on such island or islands so acquired by such board may be subdivided into lots, blocks, and building sites and sold, either at public auction, or prices may be placed upon individual lots and placed on sale to the public at such prices and under such terms and conditions as may be fixed by said board.
Codes, 1930, § 6918; 1942, § 8499; Laws, 1924, ch. 319; Laws, 1928, ch. 18; Laws, 1954, ch. 304.