Section 23-2-146
Grade separations at intersections; relocation of public highways; authority to enter private lands to drill, survey, etc.; relocation, etc., of public utility facilities; procedures; costs.
(a) The authority shall have power to construct grade separations at intersections of any toll road, bridge or tunnel project with public highways and to change and adjust the lines and grades of such highways so as to accommodate the same to the design of the grade separation. The cost of such grade separations and any damage incurred in changing and adjusting the lines and grades of such highways shall be ascertained and paid by the authority as a part of the cost of such bridge or tunnel project.
(b) If the authority finds it necessary to change the location of any portion of any public highway, it shall cause a highway of substantially the same type as the original highway to be reconstructed at such location as the authority shall deem most favorable. The cost of reconstruction and any damage incurred in changing the location of any such highway shall be ascertained and paid by the authority as a part of the cost of such bridge or tunnel project.
(c) Any change in line or grade, and any relocation of a public highway, shall be made so as best to serve the interests of the public and at the same time carry out the purposes of this article and any change in line or grade and any relocation shall be approved by the governing body or public agency having the responsibility of maintaining such public highway. In the event such body or agency fails or refuses to approve the change or relocation, the matter may be submitted by the authority to the circuit court of the county in which such body or agency has its principal office and the court shall determine what change in line or grade or relocation shall be made. Approval by such body or agency or by the court shall be conclusive as to the public interest.
(d) In addition to the foregoing powers the authority and its authorized agents and employees may enter upon any lands, waters and premises in the state for the purpose of making surveys, soundings, drillings and examinations as it may deem necessary or convenient for the purposes of this article, and such entry shall not be deemed a trespass, nor shall an entry for such purpose be deemed an entry under any condemnation proceedings which may be then pending. The authority shall make reimbursement for any actual damages resulting to such lands, waters, and premises as a result of such activities.
(e) The authority shall also have power to make reasonable regulations for the installation, construction, maintenance, repair, renewal, relocation, and removal of tracks, pipes, mains, conduits, cables, wires, towers, poles, and other equipment and appliances (herein called "public utility facilities") of any public utility in, on, along, over or under any toll road, bridge or tunnel project. Whenever the authority shall determine that it is necessary that any public utility facilities which now are, or hereafter may be, located in, on, along, over or under any toll road, bridge or tunnel project shall be relocated in such toll road, bridge or tunnel project, or should be removed from such toll road, bridge or tunnel project, the public utility owning or operating such facilities shall relocate or remove the same in accordance with the order of the authority. The cost and expenses of such relocation or removal, including the cost of installing such facilities in a new location, or new locations, and the cost of any lands or any rights or interests in lands, and any other rights, acquired to accomplish such relocation or removal shall be ascertained and paid by the authority as a part of the cost of such toll road, bridge, or tunnel project. In case of any such relocation or removal of facilities, the public utility owning or operating the facilities, or its successors or assigns, may maintain and operate the facilities with the necessary appurtenances in the new location or new locations for as long a period and upon the same terms and conditions as it had the right to maintain and operate such facilities in their former location or locations.
(Acts 1980, No. 80-691, p. 1377, §6.)