KRS 177.530: Maintenance of turnpike -- Restoration of private property -- Donation of

property by county or city -- Annual report of turnpike activities -- Audits --

Personnel of Department of Highways not to have interest in project -- Penalty

for failure to pay toll -- Lien on vehicle.

(1) Each turnpike project when constructed and opened to traffic shall be maintained

and kept in good condition and repair by the department and shall be operated and

maintained by such force of toll -takers and other operating and maintenance

employees and, unless policed by the Department of Kentucky State Police as an

ordinary incident to the performance of statutory functions, shall be policed by the

department by such force of police, as the department may in its discretion emp loy,

and the department may be reimbursed for the cost thereof unless it has previously

assumed such cost as provided in KRS 177.480.

(2) All private property damaged or destroyed in carrying out the powers granted by

KRS 177.390 to 177.570 shall be restor ed or repaired and placed in its original

condition as nearly as practicable or adequate compensation made therefor out of

funds provided under the authority of KRS 177.390 to 177.570.

(3) All counties, cities, towns, and other political subdivisions and a ll public agencies

and commissions of the Commonwealth, notwithstanding any contrary provision of

law, are hereby authorized and empowered to lease, lend, grant, or convey to the

department at its request upon such terms and conditions as the proper authorities of

such counties, cities, towns, political subdivisions, agencies, or commissions of the

Commonwealth may deem reasonable and fair and without the necessity for any

advertisement, order of court, or other action or formality, other than the regular and

formal action of the authorities concerned, any real property which may be

necessary or convenient to the effectuation of the authorized purposes of the

department, including public roads and other real property already devoted to public

use.

(4) On or before January 30 in each year the department shall make an annual report of

its activities for the preceding calendar year to the Governor and to the General

Assembly. Each such report shall set forth a complete operating and financial

statement covering its operations during the year. The department shall cause an

audit of its books and accounts to be made at least once in each year by certified

public accountants, and the cost thereof may be treated as a part of the cost of

construction or operation of t he project. Such audits shall be deemed to be public

records within the meaning of KRS 61.870(2).

(5) No officer or employee of the department shall have any interest, direct or indirect,

in the sale or purchase of any bonds authorized by KRS 177.390 to 17 7.570.

Violation of this provision is punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand

dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or both.

(6) Any person who uses any turnpike project and fails or refuses to pay the toll

provided therefor shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars

($100) or by imprisonment for not more than thirty (30) days, or both, and in

addition thereto the department shall have a lien upon the vehicle driven by such

person for the amount of such toll and may take and retain possession thereof until

the amount of such toll and all charges and penalties in connection therewith shall

have been paid.