§ 16716 — Acceptance of donated bridge

(a) County acceptance of bridge as donation.--The county commissioners may accept, take charge of and enter into county records as a county bridge any bridge within the county which has:

(1) been built at the expense of a private person or by a public subscription;

(2) been opened to free public travel;

(3) been used by the public; and

(4) become necessary and convenient for the use of the public.

(b) Notice.--

(1) A county may not accept, take charge of or enter into county records a bridge until the county has received written notice of the desire to give the bridge to the county from one of the following:

(i) the individuals who built the bridge;

(ii) subscribers to the original subscription on which the money was raised to build the bridge; or

(iii) the heirs, assigns or duly authorized board of trustees representing the individuals or subscribers included under subparagraph (i) or (ii).

(2) If a bridge crosses the boundary line between two counties, the individual or the individual's heirs or the assignees, subscribers or trustees representing the individual shall give notice in writing to the county commissioners of each county of the intention to donate the bridge to the counties jointly.

(c) Costs and bond requirement.--All costs shall be paid out of the treasury of the county. The county commissioners may require the owner of said bridge to file, together with their notice, a bond sufficient to secure payment of the costs.