Whenever any railroad corporation shall find it necessary, for the purpose of avoiding annoyance to public travel, or dangerous or difficult curves or grades, or unsafe or unsubstantial grounds or foundations, or for other reasonable causes, to change the grade or location of any portion of its road, such railroad corporation shall be and is hereby authorized to make such changes of grade and location, not departing from its general route. And for the purpose of making any such change in the location and grades of any such roads as aforesaid, such corporation shall have all the rights, powers and privileges to enter upon and appropriate such real property, and make surveys necessary to effect such changes and grades, upon the same terms, and subject to the same obligations, rules and regulations as are prescribed by law; and shall also be liable in damages, when any may have been caused by such change to the owner of real property upon which such road was heretofore constructed, to be ascertained and paid, or deposited as herein provided; but no damages shall be allowed unless claimed within ninety (90) days after actual notice in writing of such intended change shall be given to such owner residing on the premises, or, if nonresident, notice by such publication in some newspaper in general circulation, as the district judge may order.
R.L. 1910, § 1409.