§ 69. Damages caused by excessive loads. The commissioner of transportation shall cause, where required, the posting of all bridges under his jurisdiction located on the canal system in conformity with the provisions of the vehicle and traffic law. Upon all such bridges incapable of safely carrying legal loads as prescribed in such law or where the overhead clearance is less than the legal height of fourteen feet, the commissioner of transportation shall have displayed on both ends of such bridge signs stating the safe carrying capacity and legal clearance of such structure, all in accordance with the provisions of section three hundred eighty-five of the vehicle and traffic law. No person shall cause to be transported over such a bridge a vehicle whose load is in excess of that shown upon the posted sign or whose height is in excess of the legal clearance as shown on such posted sign. Any person violating the above provisions shall be subject to the penalties imposed under section three hundred eighty-five of the vehicle and traffic law and in addition thereto shall be liable for all damages to such structure resulting from violation of such law. The commissioner of transportation is hereby authorized and directed to proceed, on behalf of the people of the state, to cause to be recovered, by the attorney-general in an appropriate action in any court of competent jurisdiction, the amount of damages sustained and expenses incurred by the state in consequence of such violation.