Sec. 71. (a) When, in the construction or reconstruction of a regulated drain, the county surveyor determines that the proposed drain will cross a public highway or the right-of-way of a railroad company at a point where:

(1) there is no crossing; or

(2) the crossing will not adequately handle or will be endangered by the flow of water from the drain when completed;

the county surveyor shall include in the plans the grade and cross section requirements for a new crossing, or the requirements for altering, enlarging, repairing, or replacing the crossing. The surveyor shall mail a copy of the requirements addressed to the owner of the highway or right-of-way.

(b) When requested by the owner of the highway or right-of-way, the county surveyor shall meet with the owner at a time and place to be fixed by the surveyor. The surveyor shall hear objections to the requirements, and may then change the requirements as justice may require.

(c) When the board finds that in the construction, reconstruction, or maintenance of a regulated drain it is necessary to:

(1) alter, enlarge, repair, or replace a crossing; or

(2) construct a new crossing where none existed before;

the cost of the work on the crossing shall be paid by the owner of the public highway. This cost may not be considered by the county surveyor or by the board in determining the cost of the work on the drain or in assessing benefits and damages. However, if it is necessary for the owner of a public highway to construct a new crossing because of a cut-off for the purpose of shortening or straightening a regulated drain, the owner of the public highway shall pay one-half (1/2) of the cost of the new crossing, and the remainder shall be included in the cost of the work on the drain.

(d) A railroad company with a right-of-way that is:

(1) crossed by the construction of a regulated drain; or

(2) affected by the altering or enlarging of a crossing;

shall pay one-half (1/2) of the cost of the work on the crossing and the remainder shall be included in the cost of the work on the drain.

(e) If the county surveyor is registered under IC 25-31, the county surveyor must review and approve or disapprove the plans and hydraulic data for an existing crossing that is to be altered, enlarged, repaired, or replaced, or the construction of a new crossing for a public highway or the right-of-way of a railroad company. The county surveyor shall disapprove the plans and hydraulic data if they do not show that the structure will meet hydraulic requirements that will permit the drain to function properly.

(f) If the county surveyor is registered under IC 25-21.5, the county surveyor must review and approve or disapprove the plans and hydraulic data for an existing crossing that is to be altered, enlarged, repaired, or replaced or the construction of a new crossing for a public highway or the right-of-way of a railroad company. The county surveyor shall disapprove the plans and hydraulic data if they do not show that the structure will meet hydraulic requirements that will permit the drain to function properly.

(g) Approval of the plans and hydraulic data by a person who is registered under IC 25-21.5 or IC 25-31 is required before the work can take place. However, if the county surveyor is not registered under IC 25-21.5 or IC 25-31, a registered person who is selected under section 30 of this chapter shall:

(1) review and approve or disapprove the plans and specifications described in this subsection;

(2) inform the county surveyor in writing of the approval or disapproval; and

(3) submit all plans, specifications, and hydraulic data along with the approval or disapproval.

[Pre-Local Government Recodification Citation: 19-4-6-5.]

As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.101. Amended by P.L.206-1984, SEC.5; P.L.76-1989, SEC.7; P.L.154-1993, SEC.7; P.L.2-1997, SEC.86; P.L.2-1998, SEC.89; P.L.241-1999, SEC.5; P.L.276-2001, SEC.15.