§ 4-7-116. Bridges.

(a)

The district is authorized to assume and relieve the United States from the cost and expense of construction, reconstructing, maintaining and operating any bridge over said intracoastal waterway, whenever, in the judgment of said board such action is necessary upon its part to fully comply with the requirements and conditions imposed upon "local interests" by said River and Harbor Act of the United States, approved March 2, 1945, in accordance with the report submitted June 14, 1939, in House Document No. 371, Seventy-sixth Congress, first session, as amended and expanded. The expense therefor may be paid as a necessary expense of the district, provided however, that the district shall not be required to pay the cost of maintenance of any bridges within its borders nor bear the cost of bridge tenders for such bridges, except by special agreement. Said board is authorized to contract with the board of county commissioners of any county in the district to the end that said board of county commissioners, shall assume the responsibility for the construction, reconstruction, maintenance and operation of any such bridge. Each said board of county commissioners is hereby authorized to enter into such a contract with the board of commissioners of said district and such a contract shall be binding upon said county and district.

(b)

Whenever the district assumes the responsibility for constructing or reconstructing, altering or modifying any bridge, including necessary appurtenances and approaches, such responsibility may be met either directly or through contract with any other public agency or agencies and any funds of the district paid out pursuant to such a contract shall be deemed to be for a proper public purpose.

(c)

The district is authorized to exercise the power of eminent domain in securing any lands and rights-of-way necessary for any bridge or bridge approach roads and the procedure shall be as herein otherwise provided.

(Laws of Fla., Ch. 61-1590, § 13)