N.Y. Highway Law § 255: Unsafe toll bridge

§ 255. Unsafe toll bridge. Whenever complaint in writing on oath,

shall be made to the town superintendent, of any town in which shall be

in whole or in part any toll bridge belonging to any person or

corporation, representing that such toll bridge has from any cause

become and is unsafe for the public use, such town superintendent shall

forthwith make a careful and thorough examination of such toll bridge,

and if upon the examination thereof he shall be of the opinion that the

same has from any cause become dangerous or unsafe for public use, he

shall thereupon give immediate notice to the owners of such toll bridge,

or to any agent of such owners, acting as such agent in respect to such

bridge, that he has, on complaint made, carefully and thoroughly

examined the bridge, and found it to be unsafe for public use. Such

owners shall thereupon immediately commence repairing the same, and

cause such repairs to be made within one week from the day of such

notice given, or such reasonable time thereafter as may be necessary to

thoroughly repair the bridge, so as to make it in all respects safe and

convenient for public use. For neglect to take prompt and effective

measures so to repair the bridge, its owners shall forfeit twenty-five

dollars, and shall not demand or receive any toll for using the bridge

until the same shall be fully repaired. The town superintendent shall

cause such repairs to be made and the owners of the bridge shall be

liable for the expense thereof, and for the services of the

superintendent, and upon the neglect or refusal to pay the same upon

presentation of an account therefor, the town superintendent may recover

the same by action, in the name of the town.