84.135 Purchase of interstate toll bridges.

(1) The legislature intends by the enactment of this section to provide a means for the ultimate conversion of interstate toll bridges located in part in this state to free bridges. Where any portion of an interstate toll bridge on a route of a state trunk highway is located outside this state, it may be acquired pursuant to the provisions of this section in lieu of the methods of acquisition provided in s. 84.13.

(2) The department, on its own initiative or upon petition adopted by a majority vote of the governing body of a county, town, city or village, may acquire such bridge by purchase or by exercising the right of eminent domain in such court as may have jurisdiction thereof and in accordance with the laws applicable thereto; or, with the consent and approval of the department, and on such terms and conditions as it may prescribe, such right of eminent domain may be exercised by the county, city or other political subdivision in which any part of such interstate toll bridge is located and revenue bonds for the acquisition of such bridge out of tolls may be issued in accordance with the statutes relating to municipal borrowing insofar as the same may be applicable. In acquiring such bridge the department, county, town, city or village may proceed as provided by ch. 32.

(3) Such bridge may be acquired by the department subject to an agreement whereby all or part of the acquisition cost will be advanced to or later paid to the state by a county, town, city or village in which any part of such bridge is located, from the proceeds of revenue bonds or other source, and the department will convey the bridge to such political subdivision. Pursuant to such agreement, such bridge shall be maintained and operated by such political subdivision from the date it is acquired by the state.

(4) If, under the provisions of this section, any bridge is acquired by, or conveyed by the department to a county, town, city or village, such political subdivision shall maintain and operate the same under the direction of the department, charging such tolls as may be fixed by the department. Such tolls shall be used for the maintenance, repair and operation of such bridge and to repay, or provide a sinking fund sufficient to amortize, within a period of not to exceed 20 years from the date of acquisition thereof, the acquisition cost of such bridge, including reasonable interest and financing costs, paid by such political subdivision. After such cost has been repaid, or a sinking fund sufficient for such amortization has been so provided, title to such bridge shall revert to the state and the bridge shall thereafter be maintained and operated by the department free of tolls, as part of the state trunk highway system.

(5) Any acquisition costs incurred by the state pursuant to this section shall be paid from any funds available for the improvement of state trunk highways and connecting highways.

(6) Any such bridge may be acquired, operated, maintained and reconstructed in cooperation with an adjoining state or municipality thereof.

History: 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (3), (8) (a).