780 LAWS OF MARYLAND.

contract with the proper authorities of contiguous Coun-
ties as to the construction and maintenance of bridges,
over dividing streams, and with railroad or other cor-
porations as to the construction and maintenance of
bridges at highways crossings, is hereby vested in such
Commissioners. Whenever said County Commissioners shall
be of opinion that the public convenience requires the
erection of a new bridge, or that an old bridge is in need of ex-
tensive or an unknown amount of repairs, they 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 require said engineer to make examination of and specific
report of needed repairs, with an estimate of the cost thereof, if
the bridge be an old one; and upon such report the said County
Commissioners shall take such action as they may believe the
public convenience or the safety of travelers may require.

356. Said County Commissioners of Baltimore County, in
addition to their other powers and duties under this Act, shall
have full charge and control of all sewers, drains and ditches
used in connection with the public highways, roads, streets,
avenues, lanes, and alleys of the County, and shall keep the
same in proper order and repair, subject to liability for the
breach of their duties in such respect as municipal corporations
are ordinarily subject. Whenever it shall become necessary, in
their discretion, to lay out or construct any sewer, drain or
ditch, across or under the property of any individual or cor-
poration, for the purpose of draining the surface water from
any public highway heretofore existing or hereafter dedicated
by grant, condemned or declared to be a public highway, as pro-
vided in this Act, said County Commissioners of Baltimore
County shall have the power to lay out and construct the same
in the same manner and subject to the same provisions and
restrictions, so far as the same may be applicable, as are pro-
vided for the opening, altering, re-locating or closing of County
roads, and to assess the benefits and award the damages arising

therefrom in the same manner. When any sewer, drain or ditch
is so constructed for the purpose of carrying off surface water
from the roads as aforesaid, said County Commissioners shall
have the right to allow connections to be made therewith from
private property, upon such terms as they may decide proper
or just. The revenues derived from such source to be applied
to the benefit of the County roads and highways.

357. The County Commissioners of Baltimore County shall
make no contract for work or materials of any kind to be done