Section 313A.5. Acquiring existing bridge — bonds.

  Whenever the department deems it necessary or advantageous and practical, it may acquire by gift, purchase, or condemnation any interstate bridge which connects with or may be connected with the public highways and the approaches thereto, except that the department may not condemn an existing interstate bridge used for interstate highway traffic and combined highway and railway traffic and presently owned by a municipality, or a person, firm, or corporation engaged in interstate commerce. The department may also acquire by gift or purchase two or more existing interstate bridges and any partially constructed interstate bridge, all located within ten miles of each other, complete the partially constructed bridge and dismantle the bridge which it is designed to replace. In connection with the acquisition of any such bridge, bridges, or partially constructed bridge, the department and any federal bridge commission or any city, county, or other political subdivision of the state are authorized to do all acts and things as in this chapter are provided for the establishing and constructing of toll bridges and operating, financing, and maintaining such bridges insofar as such powers and requirements are applicable to the acquisition of any toll bridge and its operation, financing, and maintenance. In so doing, they shall act in the same manner and under the same procedures as provided for establishing, constructing, operating, financing, and maintaining toll bridges insofar as such manner and procedures are applicable. Without limiting the generality of the above provisions, the department is hereby authorized to cause surveys to be made to determine the propriety of acquiring any such bridge and the rights-of-way necessary therefor, and other facilities necessary to carry out the provisions hereof; to issue, sell, redeem bonds or issue and exchange bonds with present holders of outstanding bonds of bridges being acquired under the provisions of this chapter and deposit and pay out of the proceeds of the bonds for the financing thereof, to impose, collect, deposit, and expend tolls therefrom; to secure and remit financial and other assistance in connection with the purchase thereof; and to carry insurance thereon.

[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.5]