808

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

and award be deemed to have taken into consideration the

damage to abutting property which may arise from all proper

and necessary drainage of said road at the time of its construc-

tion or any time thereafter ; provided that no provision as afore-

Draining sur-

said shall be made for draining- surface water from said roads

face water.

over or across the property of any person who has not had

notice of the proceedings and an opportunity to be heard and

appeal as hereinbefore provided, and in all cases where roads

are hereafter dedicated to the use of the public by private

grant, such grants shall be taken to carry with them the right

at all times to properly drain such highways without liability

to abutting owners for injuries occasioned in consequence

thereof. The Highways Commission shall also have the power

at any time, of its own volition and without a petition being filed

Power to open

as hereinbefore provided, to open, alter, relocate or close any

or close any
county road.

county road upon giving notice by publication of its intention

so to do as hereinbefore provided in the case of petitions, and

thereafter taking the same proceedings herein provided for

other cases with like restrictions as to notice and provisions

for the appointment of examiners, the taking of appeals, etc.

Building and

203. The building and repair of all bridges in Baltimore

repair of
bridges.

County shall be under the control of the Highways Commission

of Baltimore County, and the sole power to agree and contract

with the proper authorities of contiguous counties as to con-

struction and maintenance of bridges over dividing streams,

and with railroads or other corporations as to the construction

and maintenance of bridges at highway crossings is hereby

vested in such Commission. Whenever said Commission shall

be of opinion that the public convenience requires the erection

of a new bridge, or that an old bridge is in need of extensive

or an unknown amount of repairs, it shall require the Roads

Engineer to make plans, drawings, specifications and estimate

of the probable cost of the same if it be a new bridge, and re-

quire said Engineer to make examination of and specific report

of needed repairs with an estimate of the cost thereof, if the

Safety of trav

bridge be an old one, and upon such report the Commission

elers.

shall take such action as it may believe the public convenience

or the safety of travelers may require.

Crossings at

204. Whenever any public road of said county crosses at

grade.

grade the line of any railroad worked by steam or other power,

or any other road, public or private, the Highways Commis-

sion shall have power to determine whether public safety or

convenience requires that such public road shall be carried

across such railroad or public or private road at the place in

question by another grade or over or undergrade crossing,