Sec. 47. A railroad company may elect, by written notice filed with the department, not less than twenty (20) days before the date on which the contract for the improvement of a highway is to be let, to improve the part of the highway occupied by its tracks or to pay for the improvement done by the department. If the railroad company elects to improve the part of the highway occupied by its tracks, the company shall perform the work of improving the part of the highway with material and in a manner and according to plans and specifications that the department prescribes and shall commence, proceed with, and complete the work within a time to be fixed by the department. If the railroad company fails to do so, the company is subject to a fine of not to exceed fifty dollars ($50) per day for each and every day that the improvement is not commenced or completed after the date named by the department. If the railroad company elects to pay for the improvement as done by the department, any sums assessed to cover the cost of the improvement, together with all the cost in collecting the costs, including attorney's fees, to be fixed by the court and taxed as costs in the action brought to enforce payment, shall, from the date of filing a statement of the assessment, attested by the department, in the office of the county recorder of the county in which the improvement was made, constitute a lien, to which only the lien of the state for state, county, township, and school taxes is paramount.

As added by P.L.18-1990, SEC.218.