Code of Virginia - Title 33.1 Highways, Bridges And Ferries - Section 33.1-300 Acquisition of property

§ 33.1-300. Acquisition of property

The Board is hereby authorized and empowered to acquire by purchase, whenever it shall deem such purchase expedient, solely from funds provided under the authority of this article, such lands, structures, property, rights, rights-of-way, franchises, easements and other interests in lands, including lands lying under water and riparian rights, which are located within the Commonwealth, as it may deem necessary or convenient for the construction and operation of any project, upon such terms and at such prices as may be considered by it to be reasonable and can be agreed upon between it and the owner thereof, and to take title thereto in the name of the Commonwealth.

Whenever a reasonable price cannot be agreed upon, or whenever the owner is legally incapacitated or is absent, unknown or unable to convey valid title, the Board is hereby authorized and empowered to acquire by condemnation or by the exercise of the power of eminent domain any lands, property, rights, rights-of-way, franchises, easements and other property, including public lands, parks, playgrounds, reservations, highways or parkways, or parts thereof or rights therein, of any person, copartnership, association, railroad, public service, public utility or other corporation, or municipality or political subdivision deemed necessary or convenient for the construction or the efficient operation of any project or necessary in the restoration of public or private property damaged or destroyed. Such proceedings shall be in accordance with and subject to the provisions of any and all laws applicable to condemnation of property in the name of the Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Title to any property acquired by the Board shall be taken in the name of the Commonwealth. In any condemnation proceedings the court having jurisdiction of the suit, action or proceeding may make such orders as may be just to the Board and to the owners of the property to be condemned and may require an undertaking or other security to secure such owners against any loss or damage by reason of the failure of the Board to accept and pay for the property, but neither such undertaking or security nor any act or obligation of the Board shall impose any liability upon the Commonwealth except as may be paid from the funds provided under the authority of this article.

If the owner, lessee or occupier of any property to be condemned shall refuse to remove his personal property therefrom or give up possession thereof, the Board may proceed to obtain possession in any manner now or hereafter provided by law.

With respect to any railroad property or right-of-way upon which railroad tracks are located, any powers of condemnation or of eminent domain may be exercised to acquire only an easement interest therein which shall be located either sufficiently far above or sufficiently far below the grade of any railroad track or tracks upon such railroad property so that neither the proposed project nor any part thereof, including any bridges, abutments, columns, supporting structures and appurtenances, nor any traffic upon it shall interfere in any manner with the use, operation or maintenance of the trains, tracks, works or appurtenances or other property of the railroad nor endanger the movement of the trains or traffic upon the tracks of the railroad. Prior to the institution of condemnation proceedings for such easement over or under railroad property or right-of-way, plans and specifications of the proposed project showing compliance with the above-mentioned above or below grade requirements and showing sufficient and safe plans and specifications of such overhead or undergrade structure and appurtenances shall be submitted to the railroad for examination and approval. If the railroad fails or refuses within thirty days to approve the plans and specifications so submitted, the matter shall be submitted to the Corporation Commission, as to the sufficiency and safety of such plans and specifications and as to such elevations or distances above or below the tracks. Said overhead or undergrade structure and appurtenances shall be constructed only in accordance with such plans and specifications and in accordance with such elevations or distances above or below the tracks so approved by the railroad or the Corporation Commission as the case may be. A copy of the plans and specifications approved by the railroad or the Corporation Commission shall be filed as an exhibit with the petition for condemnation. The cost of any such overhead or undergrade projects and appurtenances and any expense and cost incurred in changing, adjusting, relocating or removing the lines and grades of such railroad in connection with any such projects shall be paid by the Board as a part of the cost of such turnpike project.

(Code 1950, § 33-255.5; 1952, c. 223; 1970, c. 322.)

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Last modified: April 3, 2009