Section 8-15-2-6 - Additional powers(a) The authority may: (1) construct grade separations at intersections of any toll road project with public roads, state highways, and railroads; and(2) change and adjust the lines and grades of such public roads, state highways, railroads, and public utility facilities. The change and adjustment of lines and grades of public roads and state highways is subject to the approval of the division of government having jurisdiction of that road or highway. The cost of such grade separation and any damage incurred in changing and adjusting the lines and grades of such roads, highways, railroads, and public utility facilities, shall be ascertained and paid by the authority as a part of the cost of such toll road project.
(b) If the authority shall find it necessary to change the location of any portion of any public road, state highway, railroad, or public utility facility, it shall cause the same to be reconstructed at such location as the division of government having jurisdiction over such road, highway, railroad, or public utility facility shall deem most favorable and of substantially the same type and in as good condition as the original road, highway or railroad, or public utility facility. The cost of such reconstruction, relocation, or removal and any damage incurred in changing the location of any such road, highway, railroad, or public utility facility shall be ascertained and paid by the authority as a part of the cost of such toll road project.(c) The authority shall have authority to petition, in the manner prescribed in IC 36-7-3-12, the legislative body of the municipality or of the county wherein is situated any public road or part thereof, affected by the location therein of any toll road project, for the vacation or relocation of such road or any part thereof.(d) In addition, the authority and its authorized agents and employees after proper notice may enter upon any lands, waters, and premises in the state for the purpose of making surveys, soundings, drillings, and examinations as are necessary or proper for the purposes of this chapter, and such entry shall not be deemed a trespass, nor shall an entry for such purposes be deemed an entry under any condemnation proceedings which may be then pending. However, before entering upon the premises of any railroad, notice shall be given to the superintendent of such railroad involved, at least five (5) days in advance of such entry, that survey, sounding, drilling, and examination shall be made between the rails, or so close to a railroad track as would render said track unusable. The authority shall make reimbursement for any actual damage resulting to such lands, waters, and premises and to private property located in, on, along, over, or under such lands, waters, and premises as a result of such activities. The state of Indiana, subject to the approval of the governor, consents to the use of all lands owned by it, including lands lying under water, which are necessary or proper for the construction or operation of any toll road project, provided adequate compensation is made for such use.(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 (referred to in this subsection as "public utility facilities") of any public utility in, on, along, over, or under any toll road project. Whenever the authority shall determine that it is necessary that any such public utility facilities which are located in, on, along, over, or under any such project should be relocated in such project, or should be removed from such project, the public utility owning or operating such facilities shall relocate or remove the same in accordance with the order of the authority; however, 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 project excepting cases in which such equipment or facilities are located within the limits of existing highways or public thoroughfares being constructed, reconstructed, or improved under the provisions of this chapter. In case of any such relocation or removal of facilities, the public utility owning or operating the same, its successors or assigns, may maintain and operate such 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 subject, however, to the state's right of regulation under its police powers.(Formerly: Acts 1951, c.281, s.6.) As amended by Acts1980 , P.L. 74, SEC.230; P.L. 109-1983, SEC.9; P.L. 5-1988, SEC.51.