Ind. Code ch. 8-16-2

Ind. Code ch. 8-16-2
in effect

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-0.5 Applicability

Sec. 0.5. This chapter does not apply to a project under IC 8-15.5 or IC 8-15.7 that is located within a metropolitan planning area (as defined by 23 U.S.C. 134) and that connects the state of Indiana with the commonwealth of Kentucky. As added by P.L.85-2010, SEC.23.

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-1 Authority to construct bridges

Sec. 1. The department is hereby authorized and empowered, in its discretion, to construct a highway bridge over and across any river or other stream forming the boundary-line between the state of Indiana and any state adjoining the state of Indiana, notwithstanding the waters of such rivers or streams may not at all times extend to or reach such boundary-line, whenever such bridge or any part thereof, including the approaches thereto as a part thereof, will be within the state of Indiana and will directly connect any state or interstate highway in existence or to be constructed within the state of Indiana with any interstate or other public highway in existence or to be constructed in such adjoining state, and although such river or stream may be located either partially or wholly within the territorial limits of such adjoining state; and that, in constructing and maintaining any such bridge, including the approaches thereto as a part thereof, and in providing the necessary personal and real property and easements in real property which may be required for the proper, effective and convenient location, construction and operation of any such bridge, the department is hereby authorized and empowered to use and expend so much of the funds provided, or to be provided, by law for its use as may be found by it to be reasonably necessary for such purposes. Formerly: Acts 1927, c.10, s.1. As amended by Acts 1980, P.L.74, SEC.279.

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-2 Federal consent to construct bridge

Sec. 2. Any such bridge may be so constructed across and over any such river or other stream at any point determined upon and designated by the department, but only with the consent and approval of and subject to the regulations of the proper authorities of the United States having jurisdiction in such matters, whenever such jurisdiction of the United States exists, and with the consent and approval of the proper authorities of such adjoining state or of the United States; and express authority is hereby conferred upon the department to build any necessary part of any such bridge, including the approaches thereto as a part thereof, within the territorial limits of any such adjoining state and for that purpose to utilize any location or right of way provided by such adjoining state, within its boundaries, if such location and right of way be so provided; and if the United States or such adjoining state, or any duly constituted agency of either, shall acquire the necessary personal and real property and easements in real property situate in such adjoining state and suitable for use in the proper, effective and convenient location, construction and operation of such bridge, then and in that event the department is hereby authorized and empowered to take over and acquire, by contract or agreement, and make use of such personal and real property and easements in real property so situate in such adjoining state for the necessary purposes of the effective and convenient location, construction and operation of such bridge, and if unable to procure the necessary personal and real property and easements in real estate in such adjoining state by contract or agreement, after reasonable effort in that direction, then the department shall have the right and it is hereby authorized to take, in the name and on behalf of the state of Indiana, such proceedings for condemnation of such necessary personal and real property and easements in real property in such adjoining state as may be permitted or provided for by the laws of such adjoining state or by the laws of the United States. Formerly: Acts 1927, c.10, s.2. As amended by Acts 1980, P.L.74, SEC.280.

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-3 Authority to negotiate construction of bridges

Sec. 3. In addition to any and all other powers conferred upon it by this chapter, the department is hereby expressly authorized to negotiate with the proper authorities of any such adjoining state, and to contract for and procure the right to build, maintain and operate such bridge upon that part of any site which may be selected therefor and which shall lie within the boundaries of such adjoining state. Formerly: Acts 1927, c.10, s.3. As amended by Acts 1980, P.L.74, SEC.281.

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-4 Estimates of construction costs; issuance of bonds

Sec. 4. If the department shall, in its discretion, determine to construct any such bridge as in this chapter provided for, in accordance with the authority conferred by this chapter, the department shall ascertain and estimate, as nearly as is practicable, the probable cost of the location and construction of such bridge, including the approaches thereto as a part thereof, and including also in said estimated cost the cost of acquiring all necessary personal and real property and easements in real property, and shall certify the amount of such estimated cost, together with a copy of its order expressing its determination to construct such bridge, to the county auditor of that county in Indiana in which such bridge, or any part thereof, considering the approaches thereto as a part thereof, is located; and thereupon such county, by and through its board of county commissioners, by appropriate resolution and order, shall forthwith issue and execute the negotiable bonds of such county, with proper interest coupons attached thereto, in an amount equal to one-fourth of such estimated cost of the location and construction of such bridge: Provided, That no county shall issue its bonds under the provisions of, or for any of the purposes contemplated in, this chapter in any amount in excess of one percent (1%) of the adjusted value of the taxable property within such county as determined under IC 36-1-15. Formerly: Acts 1927, c.10, s.4. As amended by Acts 1980, P.L.74, SEC.282; P.L.6-1997, SEC.135.

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-5 Issuance of bonds; redemption

Sec. 5. (a) Said bonds shall be issued in denominations of one thousand dollars ($1,000) each, except that one (1) bond may be for less than one thousand dollars ($1,000), and all shall be made payable to bearer at some designated bank in the state of Indiana and shall bear interest at any rate, payable semiannually. Said bonds shall be numbered in consecutive, numerical order and shall be so issued as to the maturity dates thereof that one-thirtieth part, as nearly as practicable, of all said bonds shall become due and be payable on the first day of December following the time allowed by law for the collection of the first tax levied for use in paying said bonds and the interest thereon, and a like amount of said bonds shall thereafter become due each year and on the same date each year until all become due and payable. (b) Said bonds shall be issued and otherwise executed as the bonds of such county, shall be the bonds of and a direct obligation of such county, shall be signed by its board of county commissioners and sealed with the corporate seal of said county and attested by the county auditor of such county; but the lithograph signature of the auditor of such county shall be the only signature required upon the interest coupons attached to said bonds. (c) Such bonds, or any part thereof, shall be subject to call and redemption by such county at any semiannual interest payment date after the expiration of five (5) years from the date of issue, and from time to time thereafter before maturity, at the par value thereof plus accrued interest, at the election of the board of county commissioners of such county. (d) If said board of county commissioners shall determine to redeem any of said bonds prior to maturity, such bonds shall be redeemed in their numerical order and notice of such election to redeem prior to maturity shall be given by two (2) publications, one (1) each week and on the same day of each week, in two (2) newspapers of general circulation, printed in the English language and published, one (1) at the city of Indianapolis and the other at the county seat of the county by which said bonds were issued, which publications shall be completed at least ten (10) days prior to the interest paying date on which any of said bonds are called for redemption. Said notice shall state the number or numbers of the bonds so called for redemption prior to maturity and otherwise identify and make certain the bonds so to be redeemed, and the bonds so called for redemption shall be redeemed and paid by such county at the time and place designated in such notice. (e) If the bonds so called for redemption are not surrendered or tendered by the holders thereof for redemption at the time and place designated in said notice, such bonds shall not thereafter bear any interest, provided the county has on deposit at the time and place designated sufficient funds to redeem and pay such bonds, together with the accrued interest thereon. Formerly: Acts 1927, c.10, s.5. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.11, SEC.55.

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-6 Bond sales

Sec. 6. When so executed, such bonds shall be sold as now provided by law for the sale of other county bonds, except that, in addition to any other notice required by law, such bonds shall be advertised in a public newspaper of general circulation published at the city of Indianapolis, Indiana; and the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds shall be forthwith paid over by the county treasurer of such county to the treasurer of state of the state of Indiana, and shall become a part of the state highway funds of said state, to be used in the construction of such bridge and for no other purpose: Provided, That if the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds shall amount to more than one-fourth of the actual cost of the construction of such bridge, the excess of such proceeds over and above one-fourth of the actual cost of the construction of such bridge shall, at the completion of such bridge, be repaid by the treasurer of state of the state of Indiana to such county and shall be used by such county in the payment of such bonds and the interest thereon and for no other purpose: Provided, further, That if, for any cause whatsoever, all or any part of said proceeds derived from the sale of any such bonds of such county shall not be actually used in the construction of such bridge, all of said proceeds not so used shall be repaid to such county and shall be used by it in the payment of such bonds and the interest thereon and for no other purpose; and if, at any time, the completion of any such bridge shall be abandoned, or shall be permanently or perpetually enjoined by decree of any court, from which no appeal is taken within the time of appeal allowed by law, and thereafter prosecuted with due diligence, or if the completion of such bridge be rendered impracticable by natural causes or otherwise, then in any such event all funds derived from the sale of county bonds hereunder and placed with the treasurer of state, as herein provided, to be used as a part of the state highway funds of the state in the construction of such bridge, and not so used, shall thereupon, together with any and all depository interest which shall have accrued on such fund while in the possession of the treasurer of state, be returned at once by the treasurer of state to the said county, and shall be used by it in payment of such bonds so issued by it as aforesaid and the interest thereon and for no other purpose. Formerly: Acts 1927, c.10, s.6.

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-7 Tax levy

Sec. 7. For the purpose of raising money to pay said bonds and interest thereon, as provided in this chapter, the proper officers of every county issuing bonds under authority of this chapter shall, as soon as said bonds are sold and annually thereafter at the time the general tax levy is made, levy a tax, in addition to all other taxes authorized by law to be levied by such county, upon the property within said county subject to taxation, in such manner as to meet the principal and interest of said bonds as they become due, and such tax shall be levied and collected as other taxes are levied and collected, and shall be applied to the payment of such bonds and interest provided, that if any other funds provided by law for the payment of said bonds and interest shall come to the hands of the proper officer of said county and be available for payment on said bonds and interest, the tax in this section provided for may be abated to the extent only that such other funds provided by law may be actually available for payment of such bonds and interest at the time for making any such annual tax levy. Formerly: Acts 1927, c.10, s.7. As amended by P.L.66-1984, SEC.60.

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-8 Receipts from bond sale

Sec. 8. Upon receipt by the treasurer of state of the state of Indiana of the proceeds of the sale of any such county bonds as may be issued hereunder, such proceeds shall become a part of the state highway funds, subject only to the provisions and limitations as to repayment thereof in this chapter contained, and the department shall thereupon construct such bridge and the cost thereof shall be paid out of state highway funds. Formerly: Acts 1927, c.10, s.8. As amended by Acts 1980, P.L.74, SEC.283.

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-9 Bridge maintenance

Sec. 9. Such bridge shall be maintained by the department as other highway bridges are maintained by it, and the cost of such maintenance shall be paid out of the state highway funds, except as herein otherwise provided; but no part of the proceeds of the sale of bonds issued by any county hereunder shall ever be used for such maintenance. Formerly: Acts 1927, c.10, s.9. As amended by Acts 1980, P.L.74, SEC.284.

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-10 Dedication of bridges

Sec. 10. Any and every bridge which may be constructed under the provisions of this chapter shall be and hereby is dedicated as an instrument of interstate commerce for the equal use of all citizens of the United States and of any other persons who may be entitled to the use thereof. Formerly: Acts 1927, c.10, s.10. As amended by P.L.66-1984, SEC.61.

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-11 Tolls

Sec. 11. If and when authority so to do shall be granted and conferred by appropriate legislation by the Congress of the United States, the department shall charge toll, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, for the use of any bridge constructed under the provisions of this chapter; and the department shall fix and establish the rates of toll to be paid for the use of such bridge, and for such purpose shall have authority to classify the users of such bridge into reasonable classes and to fix the rates of toll accordingly: Provided, however, That such right to charge toll, and also said rates of toll and the classification of the users of such bridge so fixed and established, shall be subject to the approval and control of the proper authorities of the United States, as provided by the acts of congress providing for the supervision or regulation of the taking of tolls over interstate bridges. Formerly: Acts 1927, c.10, s.11. As amended by Acts 1980, P.L.74, SEC.285.

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-12 Toll gates and toll collectors' houses; toll collector's bond

Sec. 12. The department shall erect upon, or adjacent to, any and every such bridge or its approaches, and within the territorial limits of the state of Indiana, all necessary and convenient toll-gates and toll-collectors' houses, and shall employ all necessary toll-collectors, who shall each, before entering upon the performance of his duties, execute his bond, payable to the state of Indiana, in the penal sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000), with surety to the approval of the department, and conditioned for the faithful performance of his duties as such toll-collector and that he will faithfully account for and pay over according to law all moneys that may come to his hands as such toll-collector. All tolls collected by said toll-collectors shall be deposited daily in some state depository designated by the department to the credit of the treasurer of state of the state of Indiana as a toll fund to be used and disbursed as provided for in this chapter. Formerly: Acts 1927, c.10, s.12. As amended by Acts 1980, P.L.74, SEC.286.

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-13 Toll collectors; employment and compensation

Sec. 13. Such toll-collectors shall be selected, employed and paid in the same manner as other employees of the department are selected, employed and paid: Provided, That they shall be paid only out of said toll fund and their wages shall not be a charge upon the general funds of the department. Said toll-collectors shall be subject to the complete control of the department and to such regulations as it may prescribe governing their duties. Formerly: Acts 1927, c.10, s.13. As amended by Acts 1980, P.L.74, SEC.287.

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-14 Powers of toll collector

Sec. 14. Every toll-collector shall, by virtue of his employment, and while in the discharge of his duties, have full and complete police power, and shall be authorized to make arrests without a warrant for any violation in Indiana of the criminal laws of the state of Indiana, occurring in his presence. Formerly: Acts 1927, c.10, s.14.

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-15 Failure to pay toll

Sec. 15. It is a Class C infraction for a person to pass by any toll-gate established by the department in accordance with this chapter without the payment of the proper toll as prescribed by the department. It is a Class C infraction for a toll-collector to knowingly permit any person to pass such a toll-gate without the payment of the toll. Formerly: Acts 1927, c.10, s.15. As amended by Acts 1978, P.L.2, SEC.856; Acts 1980, P.L.74, SEC.288; Acts 1981, P.L.108, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-16 Rules and regulations; posting

Sec. 16. The department shall have the right to make all reasonable rules and regulations governing the use of such bridge which are consistent with the provisions of this chapter and with the laws of the state of Indiana, and with the laws of such adjoining state, and with any laws or regulations of the United States, applicable to the use of such bridges. It shall be the duty of the department to cause to be placed in full view, in legible and large letters, upon or in each of the tollhouses established by it upon said bridge or its approaches, all such rules and regulations adopted by it in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, and also the toll rates adopted for the use of such bridge. Formerly: Acts 1927, c.10, s.16. As amended by Acts 1980, P.L.74, SEC.289; P.L.1-2009, SEC.71.

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-17 Toll receipts

Sec. 17. The moneys derived from tolls taken for the use of such bridge shall be applied first to the payment of the expense of collecting such tolls. The net amount of such toll fund remaining after the payment of the expense of collecting such tolls shall be divided equally between the state of Indiana and the county in said state which has issued bonds in aid of the bridge from which the tolls were derived until each of said state and said county has received back an amount equal to the amount contributed by the county to the said bridge, together with interest thereon up to the time of repayment; and such net toll shall be used for no other purpose. Payment of such net toll shall be made semiannually, and it is hereby made the duty of the officer having custody of such net tolls to pay to such county its share thereof, ascertained as aforesaid, and to the state of Indiana its share thereof, ascertained as aforesaid, and all amounts so paid to such county shall be used by such county, when so received, in payment of its said bonds and interest so long as any of said bonds and interest remain outstanding and unpaid. All depository interest accruing on such fund, shall be added to and shall constitute a part of such fund. Formerly: Acts 1927, c.10, s.17.

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-18 Retirement of tolls

Sec. 18. Whenever such county, either from moneys derived from net tolls as aforesaid or from moneys paid by an adjoining state, or from both of such sources, shall have been repaid an amount equal to the amount of money contributed by such county to said state highway funds in aid of the construction of such bridge, including principal and interest, and when the state highway fund, either from money derived from net tolls as aforesaid, or from money paid by an adjoining state, or from both sources, shall have been paid an amount equal to the amount contributed by such county in aid of the construction of such bridge, plus interest thereon to the time of such repayment, then the right to take tolls on such bridge shall immediately cease and such bridge shall thereupon be declared to be and shall be a free bridge for use in interstate commerce between the state of Indiana and such adjoining state. In no event, however, shall tolls be collected for a longer period of time than is permitted by any law of congress now in force or hereafter enacted regulating the collection of tolls on interstate bridges. Formerly: Acts 1927, c.10, s.18.

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-19 Contracts with adjoining states

Sec. 19. In the discharge of its duties under the provisions of this chapter, the department, as the agent and representative of the state of Indiana and in the name of the state of Indiana, is hereby authorized and empowered, both before and during the construction of any such bridge and after the completion thereof, to cooperate with and enter into a contract or contracts with such adjoining state, acting through any proper authorities or agents representing such adjoining state, to provide for the payment by such adjoining state of such part of the costs of the construction of such bridge, not exceeding one-half thereof, as may be agreed upon in such contract; and in such contract to also agree upon and determine the time and manner of the making by such adjoining state of such payment or payments and all other details in connection therewith: Provided, That any moneys paid to the state of Indiana by any such adjoining state as such adjoining state's agreed part of the cost of construction of any such bridge shall be applied by said state of Indiana to reimburse the state of Indiana and any county of the state of Indiana that shall have issued its bonds under the provisions of this chapter to aid in the construction of such bridge up to the amount in each case which is equal to the amount provided by said county for such purpose, plus interest thereon up to the time of repayment thereof, so far as the money so provided was actually used in and about the construction of such bridge; and all moneys so received and applied to reimburse any such county as aforesaid shall be first applied by said county in payment of any of its said bonds issued as aforesaid under the provisions of this chapter and which are then still outstanding and unpaid, until such bonds and the interest accrued thereon shall be paid in full. Formerly: Acts 1927, c.10, s.19. As amended by Acts 1980, P.L.74, SEC.290.

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-20 Acknowledgment of contributions by other states

Sec. 20. Upon the payment by any such adjoining state of any part of the cost of the construction of such bridge, the department is hereby authorized and directed to issue, in the name of the state of Indiana, to such adjoining state, a proper certificate or instrument of transfer or acknowledgment evidencing the amount contributed by such adjoining state and transferring to it title to a corresponding interest in such bridge, and thereafter the title to such bridge shall be deemed to be vested jointly in the state of Indiana and the adjoining state so contributing to the cost of said bridge, and the interest of each thereof shall be deemed to be in proportion to the respective contributions so made by each one respectively. Formerly: Acts 1927, c.10, s.20. As amended by Acts 1980, P.L.74, SEC.291.

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-21 Maintenance contracts with other states

Sec. 21. The department is hereby expressly authorized and empowered to negotiate and contract with the proper authorities of such adjoining state in respect to the maintenance of any such bridge. Formerly: Acts 1927, c.10, s.21. As amended by Acts 1980, P.L.74, SEC.292.

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-22 Construction

Sec. 22. This chapter shall at all times be construed as supplemental to and in aid of all other statutes providing for the construction of highways and bridges. Formerly: Acts 1927, c.10, s.22. As amended by P.L.66-1984, SEC.62.

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-23 Appropriations and authorizations

Sec. 23. No appropriation of money or authorization of any bonds contemplated in this chapter by the county council shall be required. Formerly: Acts 1927, c.10, s.23. As amended by P.L.66-1984, SEC.63.

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-24 Compliance with other laws

Sec. 24. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this chapter, any county shall have the right to proceed under this chapter without complying with any other existing statute in effect on May 16, 1927. Formerly: Acts 1927, c.10, s.24. As amended by P.L.66-1984, SEC.64.

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-25 Assumption of debts

Sec. 25. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be so construed as to authorize the state or the department to assume any debt or obligation of any county which may aid or assist in the construction of any bridge contemplated under this chapter. Formerly: Acts 1927, c.10, s.25. As amended by Acts 1980, P.L.74, SEC.293.

Ind. Code § 8-16-2-26 Amendment of chapter

Sec. 26. The general assembly hereby reserves the right to amend or modify this chapter at any time that such amendment or modification may be deemed just and proper. Formerly: Acts 1927, c.10, s.26. As amended by P.L.66-1984, SEC.65.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/8Fetched: 10/17/2026

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