Pennsylvania § 5701 - Construction and acquisition of bridges.

§ 5701. Construction and acquisition of bridges.

(a) Construction generally.--A township may erect and construct or acquire by purchase, condemnation or otherwise, a bridge and the piers, abutments and approaches for the bridge, to be used, improved and maintained as a street whether the bridge is wholly or partly within the township limits.

(b) Proceedings.--The proceedings for laying out and opening a bridge shall be the same as provided by this part for the laying out and opening of streets, and the bridge or portion of the bridge may be vacated under the same procedure as provided in this part for the relocation or vacation of streets or portions of streets.

(c) Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission powers and duties.--Nothing in this chapter shall affect the powers or duties of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to the extent otherwise provided by law.

(d) Obstructions prohibited.--Bridges over railroads shall not obstruct the railroad over which the bridge is built. Nothing in this section shall release the railroad or other companies or the Commonwealth from the requirements of existing laws.

(e) Definition.--As used in this chapter, the term "bridge" shall mean a structure built to span and provide passage over a valley, street, railroad track, private property, gully, river, creek, stream or any other body of water or physical obstacle and shall include viaducts constructed from a series of spans or arches.