Maine § 703-A. - Access roads to bridges of historic significance

§ 703-A.. Access roads to bridges of historic significance

1.  Petition.  The town officers of one or more towns or the county commissioners, if they are acting in the capacity of town officers, may petition the department for the reconstruction or rehabilitation of a town way that serves as an access road to a bridge designated pursuant to section 603 as a bridge of historic significance. The department shall hold a public hearing on the proposal. If the department decides reconstruction or rehabilitation of the road is warranted, it may arrange for reconstruction or rehabilitation under the following conditions.

A. The cost of reconstruction or rehabilitation must be paid 75% from the Highway Fund, subject to available funds, and 25% from the town, towns, county or counties involved.   [PL 1997, c. 547, §1 (NEW).]

B. The department has the responsibility for the supervision of the reconstruction or rehabilitation of the road.   [PL 1997, c. 547, §1 (NEW).]

C. No such road may be reconstructed or rehabilitated until the town, towns, county or counties involved have appropriated or raised, by taxation or otherwise, a sum sufficient to pay to the State its proportionate share of the cost of the reconstruction or rehabilitation under this section.   [PL 1997, c. 547, §1 (NEW).]

D. Upon completion of the reconstruction or rehabilitation, the town, towns, county or counties in which the section of the town way is located shall assume the responsibility for maintaining the road.   [PL 1997, c. 547, §1 (NEW).]

For the purposes of this section, "town" means any unit of local government, including municipalities, towns, cities, plantations and unorganized townships.