16 Pa.C.S. Ch. 169

in effect

16 Pa.C.S. § 16901 Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: "Bridge." As defined in section 16700 (relating to definitions). "Road." As defined in section 16700. "Streams." As defined in section 16700.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16902 Establishing county roads.

(a) Powers of the county commissioners.--For the purpose of providing public roads, specially constructed, improved and maintained, the county commissioners may: (1) Lay and open a road. (2) Take possession of and exercise control over an existing municipal road or part of a municipal road, or any road decreed by a court to be a county road. (3) Build and maintain roads as county roads within the county limits. (4) Straighten, widen, extend and alter any county road or part of the road laid out, opened or acquired and vacate as much as may become unnecessary and useless. (b) Control of road by commissioners.--Any road taken over or improved shall become a county road and be subject to the control and supervision of the county commissioners. The county shall keep and maintain county roads established under this part and all other county roads in repair, the expense thereof to be paid by the county in the manner provided under this part. Cross References. Section 16902 is referred to in section 16907 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16903 Acquisition of rights-of-way of abandoned railroads.

(a) Commissioners control of rights-of-way.--The county commissioners may take over an abandoned right-of-way or bridge of a railroad company or any part of an abandoned right-of-way or bridge for the purpose of relocating an existing or locating a new county road, and the county commissioners may purchase the abandoned right-of-way or bridge or part thereof as may be necessary for the relocating or locating of the county road. (b) County road to be laid out.--Whenever an abandoned right-of-way or bridge of a railroad company or any part thereof is purchased under this section, a county road shall be laid out, located thereafter constructed, improved and maintained in accordance with law. Any bridge taken over shall become a county bridge and shall be maintained, rebuilt and repaired accordingly. Cross References. Section 16903 is referred to in section 16907 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16904 Joint action by counties.

(a) Additional powers.--The provisions of this chapter may also be exercised jointly by adjoining counties as to roads extending along and adjacent to county lines and from one adjoining county into another. (b) Procedure and jurisdiction.--The procedure and jurisdiction in each county under subsection (a) shall be the same as to any portion of the road lying within the limits of the county, except that the petition, plans and surveys of the road shall describe and exhibit every portion of the road within the limits of the county and every portion of the road extending along the line of or into an adjoining county. The portions of the road lying within limits of each county shall be treated in all proceedings as one continuous road. Cross References. Section 16904 is referred to in section 16907 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16906 Maintenance and repair of county roads.

The county commissioners shall have prepared plans and estimates, as often as required, for the repair and maintenance of all roads which the county is required by law to maintain and repair. Maintenance and repair may be undertaken by contract or through the use of county personnel, supplies and equipment. Any county may also lease any of the equipment of the county to any political subdivision within the county according to any terms and conditions agreed upon. Cross References. Section 16906 is referred to in section 16907 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16907 Annual tax.

The county commissioners may levy, assess and collect annual taxes upon all real and personal property within the county taxable for county purposes to acquire and secure a fund from which to pay all costs, damages and expenses required in the locating, opening, building, improving, widening, straightening, extending, maintaining, repairing or vacating of roads or parts of the road, and to take and use land as may be necessary in constructing and maintaining proper slopes, embankments, fills, culverts, embankment approaches and termini for roads, tunnels, subways and underground roads. The money raised may not be expended for any purpose other than those for which the tax was levied, except for the maintenance, repair, construction and reconstruction of any county bridge or bridges whether or not located on a county road or roads. The taxes shall be at the following rates and retained, respectively, for the following purposes: (1) Not more than two mills on the dollar in the aggregate for any of the following sections: (i) 16902 (relating to establishing county roads). (ii) 16903 (relating to acquisition of rights-of-way of abandoned railroads). (iii) 16904 (relating to joint action by counties). (iv) 16906 (relating to maintenance and repair of county roads). (v) 16908 (relating to borrowing money, bond issue and tax levy). (vi) 16909 (relating to changing part of road upon agreement). (vii) 16910 (relating to assessment of benefits). (viii) 16911 (relating to interest on benefits assessed). (ix) 16912 (relating to liens for benefits assessed). (x) 16913 (relating to sidewalks along county roads). (xi) 16914 (relating to lights along county roads). (2) Not more than two mills on the dollar in the aggregate for any of the following sections: (i) 16920 (relating to adoption of system of main thoroughfares). (ii) 16921 (relating to improvement of municipal roads). (iii) 16922 (relating to plan of system to be followed and variations). (iv) 16923 (relating to improvement of roads not part of system on contribution from parties interested). (3) Not more than two mills on the dollar in the aggregate for any of the following sections: (i) 16930 (relating to purchase, location, construction, operation and maintenance authorized). (ii) 16931 (relating to contracts or lease for special use of improvements). (iii) 16932 (relating to taking street or other property of municipal corporation). Cross References. Section 16907 is referred to in section 14970 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16908 Borrowing money, bond issue and tax levy.

The county commissioners may borrow money and secure indebtedness for the purposes authorized under this chapter, in accordance with 53 Pa.C.S. Pt. VII Subpt. B (relating to indebtedness and borrowing). Cross References. Section 16908 is referred to in section 16907 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16909 Changing part of road upon agreement.

If the county commissioners deem it advisable to construct or alter any part of any road under the supervision of the county commissioners and agree with the property owners affected by the change as to damages, the county commissioners may, upon payment of the damages agreed upon, construct or alter the part of the public road as contemplated in the agreement without the formality of a view. The old location of the road shall be vacated in accordance with this act. Cross References. Section 16909 is referred to in section 16907 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16910 Assessment of benefits.

If, in a county, a road or highway originally located, laid out, constructed, relocated, opened, straightened, widened, extended or altered or any part of the road or highway vacated, the viewers appointed to assess damages in accordance with 26 Pa.C.S. (relating to eminent domain), after determining the amount of damages sustained, shall assess the whole or part of the damages as may be represented by benefits upon the properties abutting on and benefited by the improvements. The remaining part of the damages, if any, not assessed against the abutting properties, shall be paid by the county. The total assessments for benefits shall in no case exceed the total damages awarded and agreed upon. Cross References. Section 16910 is referred to in sections 16907, 16912 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16911 Interest on benefits assessed.

All assessments for benefits shall bear interest at the expiration of 30 days after the assessments have been determined final and fixed and shall be payable to the treasurer of the county. Cross References. Section 16911 is referred to in sections 16907, 16912 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16912 Liens for benefits assessed.

(a) Filing, revival and collection of liens.--All liens for the assessment of benefits under sections 16910 (relating to assessment of benefits) and 16911 (relating to interest on benefits assessed) shall be filed, revived and collected in accordance with law. (b) Appeal of liens.--Appeals taken may not prevent the filing of liens by any county for any assessment made by virtue of the viewers' report, but upon final determination of the issue the court may make an order as to any lien filed that shall appear right and proper. Cross References. Section 16912 is referred to in section 16907 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16913 Sidewalks along county roads.

If considered necessary for the safety and accommodation of the public, the county commissioners may locate, construct and maintain sidewalks along county roads. The cost of the construction and maintenance of sidewalks shall be paid by the county. Cross References. Section 16913 is referred to in section 16907 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16914 Lights along county roads.

If considered necessary for the safety and convenience of the traveling public, the county commissioners may supply and equip any county road or parts of the road with lights as deemed necessary. The county commissioners may contract with an individual or municipal or private corporation. The cost of the construction may and the cost of maintenance of all lights shall be paid by the county. Cross References. Section 16914 is referred to in section 16907 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16920 Adoption of system of main thoroughfares.

(a) System of roads.--The county commissioners may, in the manner provided by this section, cause to be laid out, survey and adopt a system of main thoroughfares which the board shall determine the proper roads to be established and specially constructed and improved. In adopting the system under this subsection, the county commissioners shall consider the population and needs of all parts of the county and make an equitable distribution of the roads to be specially constructed, located and improved by the county. The county commissioners shall develop a plan or plans to be made showing the system of proposed roads, the relation of the proposed roads to existing public roads or roads to be supplied, the names of abutting property owners and also roads which already have been improved by the county. Upon approval of the plan or plans by the county commissioners, at least two county commissioners shall certify and file the plan for public inspection in the office of the county commissioners and record the plan in the office of the recorder of deeds. (b) Requirements.--Subsection (a) shall be carried out in accordance with the following sections: (1) This section. (2) 16921 (relating to improvement of municipal roads). (3) 16922 (relating to plan of system to be followed and variations). (4) 16923 (relating to improvement of roads not part of system on contribution from parties interested). (c) Interference with real property.--The proposed roads under subsection (a) may not be an easement upon private property or in any manner interfere with the use of private property until established as a public road by the action of the court of common pleas. Cross References. Section 16920 is referred to in section 16907 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16921 Improvement of municipal roads.

(a) General rule.--If a system of main thoroughfares had been adopted or if the adoption is being contemplated within two years after the commencement of the improvement, the county commissioners may take exclusive control of and improve any road or section of road located either wholly or in part in any municipal corporation, whether existing by the municipal corporation's authority or laid out in whole or in part by virtue of this act or otherwise. (b) Necessary power.--For the purposes of subsection (a), the county commissioners may originally locate, lay out, establish in whole or in part, relocate, straighten, widen, extend, alter, open, construct and improve roads or vacate as much of a road rendered unnecessary and useless. (c) Maintenance.--A road established, altered, constructed and improved under this section shall, by ordinance enacted by each municipal corporation through which the road shall pass, become a municipal road, and each respective municipal corporation through or into which the road extends shall maintain and keep the road. Cross References. Section 16921 is referred to in sections 16907, 16920, 16922 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16922 Plan of system to be followed and variations.

(a) General rule.--The county commissioners may: (1) relocate, straighten, widen, extend, alter, open, construct and improve the proposed roads as laid out, surveyed, marked and shown upon the plans of the system; (2) originally locate, lay out, establish, construct and improve roads which substantially supply the system or parts of the system which, although not parts of the system, are deemed by the court to be main thoroughfares of sufficient importance to be improved by the county and added to the plan; and (3) vacate as much of the roads of the system and of roads already established as may be rendered unnecessary by the changes or by an entirely new location. (b) Limitation.--After plans have been adopted and recorded under applicable law, all applications under section 16921 (relating to improvement of municipal roads) shall be restricted and shall relate only to the establishing, opening, constructing and improving the proposed roads of the system or parts of the system and the vacation of roads supplied by the portion opened and improved. Cross References. Section 16922 is referred to in sections 16907, 16920 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16923 Improvement of roads not part of system on contribution from parties interested.

The county commissioners may originally locate, lay out and establish in whole or in part, relocate, straighten, widen, extend, alter and open, construct and improve roads not part of the system nor deemed main thoroughfares, upon parties interested in paying or securing to be paid the proportion of the cost of the original construction and improvement as the commissioners may deem just, which may not be less than one-fourth of the cost. Cross References. Section 16923 is referred to in sections 16907, 16920 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16930 Purchase, location, construction, operation and maintenance authorized.

(a) County purchase of structures.--The county commissioners may, if deemed expedient, provide for the purchase, location, construction, operation and maintenance of roads, tunnels, subways or underground roads within the county, either wholly or partly within the boundaries of any municipal corporation. A road, tunnel, subway or underground road shall be a county road, tunnel, subway or underground road, and the duty of maintaining and keeping the road in repair shall devolve upon the county. All expenses under this section shall be paid by the county as provided under this subchapter. (b) Requirements.--This section shall be carried out in accordance with the following sections: (1) 16931 (relating to contracts or lease for special use of improvements). (2) 16932 (relating to taking street or other property of municipal corporation). Cross References. Section 16930 is referred to in section 16907 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16931 Contracts or lease for special use of improvements.

The county commissioners may make a contract or lease with any street railway or transportation company, its successors and assigns, for the concurrent use of such a portion of the road, tunnel or subway or underground road, as may not substantially impair or restrict the public use and enjoyment, upon agreed upon terms and conditions. Cross References. Section 16931 is referred to in sections 16907, 16930 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16932 Taking street or other property of municipal corporation.

If the county commissioners deem it necessary or advisable to enter upon or appropriate a road or property of any municipal corporation in the county or to take action affecting the property rights or authority of the municipal corporation for the purpose of constructing or maintaining a road, tunnel, subway or underground road or the improvement of a road, tunnel, subway or underground road which has been or is about to be purchased by the county or otherwise, the consent of the municipal corporation by ordinance shall be obtained before the actual entering in or upon or the appropriation of the road or property. After the entry and appropriation, the county shall be liable and charged with the supervision, control and maintenance of the roads and properties, or as much of the road or property as is taken and used for the purpose of constructing and maintaining the road, tunnel, subway or underground road or the improvement of the road, tunnel, subway or underground road, purchased or to be purchased. Cross References. Section 16932 is referred to in sections 16907, 16930 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16950 Vacation as county roads.

Upon petition of the county commissioners, the court of common pleas may vacate as a county road any portion of an abandoned or condemned road or a road purchased by the county or the permanent location or improvement of a road which has been ordered or made under this part or former acts relating to county roads. All portions of the vacated roads shall become roads of the municipal corporation through which the roads pass. Written notice of the contents of the petition and the time when the petition will be presented to the court shall be given by the county commissioners to the governing body of the municipal corporation through which the road passes at least 10 days before the date of presenting the petition. At the time the petition is presented, the court may fix a time for hearing in open court or may refer the matter to an examiner to take testimony and report findings to the court at a time the court directs. At any hearing in open court or before an examiner appointed by the court, all interested parties may appear and be heard. After the hearing, the court may grant the request of the petitioners and make a decree accordingly or make the order in the premises as the court deems right and just if the court finds the conditions of this part have been complied with. Orders of vacation may not be made until the municipal corporation affected has consented by an ordinance or resolution certified to the court.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16953 Laying out, altering and vacating.

Roads forming or intended to form a continuous highway from one county to another, which cross a river, creek or rivulet forming a boundary line between the counties, may be laid out or altered or vacated in the manner provided for other roads.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16956 Municipal streets connecting two ends of county road.

If a city or borough intervenes between two ends of a county road and the municipal corporation has failed to properly improve the municipal streets constituting the shortest and most reasonable route through the municipal corporation that will connect the two ends of the county road, the board of commissioners may contract with the governing body of the municipal corporation to improve the shortest and most reasonable route connecting the two ends of the highway. Cross References. Section 16956 is referred to in section 16958 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16957 Municipal streets as terminus of county road.

(a) Contract for improvements.--If a county road terminates at the corporate limits of a city or borough in the same county or in another county and connects with a municipal street which the municipal corporation has failed to properly improve, and the county commissioners in which the municipal corporation is located deem the improvement of the municipal street necessary to make the county road easily accessible to residents or to the traveling public, the county commissioners may contract with the governing body of the municipal corporation to improve municipal streets, including streets connecting a county road with the business districts of the municipal corporation or with a system of improved streets in the municipal corporation or which connect the road with another county road terminating at the limits of the municipal corporation. (b) Contract to connect roads.--The county commissioners may enter into a similar contract as subsection (a) with one or more municipal governing bodies if: (1) several municipal corporations are contiguous to each other; (2) a county road terminates at the corporate limits of any of the municipal corporations; (3) one or more of the municipal corporations have failed to properly improve a municipal street therein; and (4) the county commissioners deem the improvement of the street necessary in order to make the county road easily accessible to residents or to the traveling public. Cross References. Section 16957 is referred to in section 16958 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16958 Improvements.

The board of commissioners may widen, repave or otherwise improve municipal streets if necessary to accomplish any of the purposes of sections 16956 (relating to municipal streets connecting two ends of county road) and 16957 (relating to municipal streets as terminus of county road). If the improvement is made to a municipal street, the county may pay the total cost of the improvement or the cost may be divided between or among the municipal corporations and the county.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16959 Maintenance.

Before a municipal street is improved, the county commissioners and the governing body of the municipal corporation shall agree upon the maintenance of the street. The agreement may provide that: (1) the street shall be kept and maintained in good repair by the municipal corporation and, upon the completion of the improvement, further liability and responsibility of the county shall terminate; or (2) the street shall be kept and maintained in good repair by the county and the share of the municipal corporation shall be paid annually to the county.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16960 Contracts with municipal corporations.

(a) Contract to construct improved road.--The county commissioners may contract with the governing bodies of municipal corporations, separately or jointly, providing that the county commissioners shall construct an improved road in a similar manner as a county road. The expense or cost of construction shall be borne jointly by the municipal corporations and the county in a ratio or proportions as may be agreed upon in each contract, notwithstanding if the municipal corporation intervenes between two ends of the county road or if the intersection is the terminus of a county road, State highway or township road. (b) Payments made by the county.--Payment for the construction of roads under this section shall be made by the county, which shall be reimbursed by the municipal corporation in the sums as agreed upon in the contract or contracts. (c) Maintenance and repair of jointly constructed roads.--A road jointly constructed under this section shall be repaired and maintained at the expense of the county. Nothing shall prevent the governing body of a municipal corporation from entering into a contract or contracts with the county for the maintenance of the improved road under terms and conditions as may be mutually satisfactory.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16963 Center line highway boundary between city or borough and township.

(a) Grading, curbing and macadamizing of roads.--If the center line of any road constitutes the dividing line between any city or borough and a township located in the same county, the county commissioners and the commissioners or supervisors of the township may enter into a contract with the city or borough providing for the grading, curbing and macadamizing or paving of the roadway of the road. The cost shall be borne one-half by the city or borough and one-half by the township and the county in which the township is situated, in equal portions. (b) Supervision for alterations or improvements.--Alterations or improvements under this section shall be constructed and subsequent repairs shall be made, under the supervision of the city or borough, in compliance with applicable laws and in further compliance with plans and specifications to be agreed upon in writing between the city or borough and the board of county commissioners and the governing body of the township. The cost of repairs shall be borne one-half by the city or borough and one-half by the township or by the county and township, in equal portions or other proportion as may be agreed upon by the county and township. Cross References. Section 16963 is referred to in section 16967 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16965 Center line road boundary between city or borough and township in adjoining county.

(a) Costs.--If the center line of any road constitutes a dividing line between a township and a city or borough located in an adjacent county, the county commissioners and the commissioners or supervisors of the township may enter into a contract with the city or borough providing for the grading, curbing, macadamizing or paving of the roadway of the road. The cost shall be borne one-half by the city or borough and one-half by the township and the county in which the township is situated, in equal portions. (b) Supervision of city or borough.--Alterations or improvements under this section shall be constructed and subsequent repairs shall be made under the supervision of the city or borough in compliance with applicable law and in further compliance with plans and specifications to be agreed upon in writing between the municipal corporation and the county commissioners and the governing body of the township. The cost of repairs shall be borne one-half by the city or borough and one-half by the township or by the county and township, in equal portions or other proportion as may be agreed upon by the county and township.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16967 Improvement on order of common pleas.

(a) Court ordered improvements.--If contracts or agreements under section 16963 (relating to center line highway boundary between city or borough and township) are impossible to enter into or if either the city or borough and the township or the county in which the township is situated, refuses to enter into the contract or agreement, either a municipal corporation or the county may present a petition to the court of common pleas of either county setting forth the facts and circumstances, including: (1) the condition of the road from which the necessity and desirability for the grading, curbing, macadamizing or paving of the roadway appears; (2) the estimated cost; and (3) that the terms of the contract cannot be agreed upon by the municipal corporations or the county or that the municipal corporations or the county refuses to enter into a contract. (b) Petition and service.--The petition under subsection (a) may request that the court, after hearing all the parties concerned, make the court's order or decree defining the nature and character of the improvement reasonably necessary or desirable to be made and requiring the parties to enter into a contract for the making and constructing of the improvement. A copy of the petition, duly certified, shall be served upon the municipal corporations or county concerned, other than the petitioner, with notice of the day fixed by the court for the hearing. Any of the parties served with notice shall be entitled, on or before the date, to file in the court the party's answer to the petition setting forth the party's version of the facts or other matters as may be deemed necessary or proper. (c) Hearing or referral.--The court, upon the date fixed or other time as the court may appoint, shall hear the evidence of the parties or may refer the matter to a master who shall hear the testimony of the parties and report findings, in the same manner and under the same procedure as provided by the rules in equity in similar cases, to the court, which may reject, confirm or modify the findings, and may issue a decree or order directing the making of any alterations or improvements to the roadway as may be deemed reasonably necessary or desirable and provide for the sharing of the cost of the improvements one-half by the municipal corporation and one-half by the county and township, in equal portions. (d) Additional findings.--The following apply: (1) The order or decree under subsection (c) may further provide that the repairs to alterations and improvements subsequently required shall be borne as follows: (i) one-half by the municipal corporation, either borough or city; and (ii) one-half by the county or township in equal portions or other proportions as the court may find to be legal and proper. (2) Upon the finding by the court, the grading, curbing, macadamizing or paving of the roadway shall proceed in accordance with the decree or order of the court in the same manner as if the contract or agreement had been entered into and duly executed.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16969 Improvements of roads connecting with State highway.

The county may, singly or jointly with any municipal corporation, appropriate and expend money for the improvement of any road, not more than one mile in length in distance, outside of the limits of a municipal corporation, for the purpose of connecting improved streets in the municipal corporations with a State highway.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16970 Purchase and rental of road equipment to municipal corporations.

The county commissioners may purchase equipment for the preparation of road material and the construction and maintenance of roads as the county commissioners deem necessary and pay for the equipment out of the general funds of the county. Equipment may be rented by the county commissioners to any of the municipal corporations within the county applying for equipment rental, under regulations and at rentals as the county commissioners shall prescribe and fix. All equipment purchased under the provisions of this section shall be operated only by persons employed for that purpose by and under the direct supervision of the county commissioners.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16975 County road detours.

(a) Closure of roads.--Except for an emergency in which the safety of the public would be endangered, a county road may not be closed to vehicular traffic except upon order of the county commissioners and may not be closed for a longer period than is necessary for the purpose for which the order is issued. Except for temporary emergency police measures by which the safety of the public would be endangered if it were not temporarily closed, a county road may not be closed to vehicular traffic if the road has been designated as a detour by the Department of Transportation, unless the written consent of the Department of Transportation has first been obtained or unless the county commissioners having jurisdiction over the road, by resolution, declare the closing necessary for the protection of the public safety. (b) Designation of detour on road closure.--If a county road is closed to vehicular travel, the county commissioners shall immediately designate or lay out a detour on which the county commissioners shall cause to be erected and maintained while the detour is in use legible signs at each public road intersection throughout the entire length of the detour indicating the direction to the main highway. During the period when the detour is in use, the county commissioners shall maintain the detour in a safe and passable condition. The county commissioners shall also immediately remove all detour signs when the highway originally closed is opened again for traffic. (c) Repair of road designated as detour.--The county commissioners shall, as soon as possible, repair the road designated as a detour and place the road in a condition at least equal to the road's condition when designated as a detour. Cross References. Section 16975 is referred to in sections 16976, 16977 of this title.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16976 Detour over private lands.

If necessary in the creation of a detour under section 16975 (relating to county road detours), the county commissioners responsible for laying out the detour may enter into an agreement with the owners of private lands covering the acquisition of right-of-way privileges over private property for the period when the main highway shall be closed to traffic. In the exercise of the rights conferred by this section, the county commissioners responsible may pay for the necessary maintenance, subsequent repair and land rental out of funds available for the construction and maintenance of the roads in the commissioners charge.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16977 Fines and damages.

(a) Summary offense and exception.-- (1) Except as provided under paragraph (2), an individual who shall willfully remove, deface, destroy or disregard any barricade, light, danger sign, detour sign, warning or traffic control device of any character whatsoever, erected or placed under the authority of section 16975 (relating to county road detours), or who drives on, over or across a road which had been closed by proper authority, commits a summary offense. (2) Individuals who have no outlet due to the closing of a road may drive on, over or across the road, with the consent in writing of and subject to any conditions as may be prescribed by the county commissioners responsible for the closing, or the agents or contractors of the individual, without being subject to the fines imposed by this section. (b) Recovery of damages.--In addition to the fines under subsection (a), the county commissioners responsible for the maintenance of a road which has been closed to vehicular traffic, or the agents or contractors of the county commissioners, may, in an action at law, recover damages from each individual who has damaged a road when the road is closed to vehicular traffic. (c) Fines paid to county treasurer.--All fines collected under the provision of this section shall be paid to the county treasurer for the general use of the county.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16985 Sign destruction penalties.

(a) General rule.--It shall be unlawful for an individual to willfully destroy, remove, injure or deface any sign or index board erected upon or near any public street, road or bridge by the authorities of any county, or erected, with the consent of such authorities, by any club, association or other organized body, for the direction, guidance or safety of travelers. Each sign affixed to a tree or post in or upon a road, properly erected in a manner that the sign does not interfere with travel, or on a fence, telegraph, telephone, trolley or other pole, with the permission of the owners of the fence or pole, or on private grounds, if consent has been obtained from the owners and tenants, and which are close to roads, shall be within the provisions of this section. (b) Penalties.--An individual who violates the provisions of this section commits a summary offense and, in addition to other fines and penalties provided by law, may be required to provide reimbursement for the value of a sign destroyed.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16986 Snow fences.

(a) Placement.--A county that is responsible for the maintenance of any road may enter upon private property adjacent to the road and place snow fences, at any point as may be necessary to within a limit of 100 feet from the right-of-way line of the road, in order to eliminate snow drifting on the traveled portion. (b) Timeframe.--A snow fence, authorized under this section, may not be placed prior to November 1 nor shall the same remain in place after April 1 of the succeeding year, unless the written consent of the owner of the adjacent property is obtained, agreeing to an extension of time for the removal of the snow fence. (c) Damages.--If the county responsible for the maintenance of the road is not able to enter into an agreement with the owner of adjacent property occupied by the snow fence as to the amount of damages sustained as a result of the fence being placed and removed, the owner may petition the court of the proper county for the appointment of viewers to ascertain the amount of damages incurred. The appointment of viewers and the procedure for viewing shall be governed by and be in accordance with this part, as provided for eminent domain proceedings. Damages, if any, if ascertained, shall be paid by the county responsible for the maintenance of the road, and any money available to the county for the construction and maintenance of roads under the county's supervision shall be available for the payment of damages.

16 Pa.C.S. § 16987 Elimination of dangerous curves and widening of narrow roads.

(a) General rule.--A county may acquire, by purchase or by the right of eminent domain, property and lands situate along or adjacent to any county road as, in the opinion of the county commissioners, may be necessary to eliminate dangerous curves and widen narrow roads, for the better protection and safety to the traveling public. (b) Condemnation.--Upon a purchase or condemnation, the county commissioners having had property and lands condemned may cause to be abated or removed any dangerous curve or curves or widen the narrow road to the extent of the property and land so acquired. (c) Proceedings.--Proceedings for the condemnation of property and lands shall be as provided under Chapter 163 (relating to eminent domain and injury to property).

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM&ttl=16Fetched: 10/16/2026