68-544. Tunnels under roads by landowners; approval; costs. Any person owning land on both sides of the public road may at his own expense tunnel under such road from one side to the other, but he shall construct such tunnel so as not to endanger the public in the use of said road. Before constructing the said tunnel the landowner shall obtain from the officials in charge of such road and county engineer their approval of the place, the kind of tunnel, and the manner of constructing the same. The officials in charge of such road shall cause the necessary repairs to be made on said bridge or tunnel at the expense of the owner: Provided, That if a bridge or culvert is a necessary structure at the place where the owner desires such tunnel, the owner shall pay only the difference between the necessary cost of such structure and the cost of making it suitable for the passage of livestock under the roadway, such difference in cost to be ascertained and fixed by the county engineer. The actual cost of such repairs if not promptly paid by the owner of such land shall be certified by the county engineer to the county clerk, who shall enter the same upon the tax roll in a separate column as a tax charge against such land and the same shall be collected as other taxes are collected, and when collected shall be credited to the county road fund if a county road and to the proper township road fund if a township road.

History: L. 1917, ch. 264, § 51; Mar. 7; R.S. 1923, 68-544.