Ind. Code ch. 8-1-23

in effect

Ind. Code § 8-1-23-1 Roadway obstructions or interruptions; detours

Sec. 1. Whenever, in the opinion of any board of county commissioners, the use of any public county highway or highways shall be or will become impracticable or unsafe because of obstructions or interruptions resulting from erosion, changes in natural or artificial drains, or any other cause of any kind or nature whatsoever, the said board of county commissioners of the county wherein such highway or highways is located, or the boards of county commissioners of adjoining counties acting together, if the obstructed or interrupted part thereof is located upon a county line or extends from one county to another, shall have the power to close said highway or highways, or the necessary parts thereof, and divert traffic therefrom by suitable detours, if in their judgment such detours are necessary, until such time as the conditions causing such obstruction or interruption no longer exists and the continued use of said highway or highways become practicable and safe. Formerly: Acts 1947, c.151, s.1.

Ind. Code § 8-1-23-2 Permits; temporary highway obstruction

Sec. 2. If any person shall desire to temporarily obstruct a county highway which obstruction may result in damage to the highway or temporary blocking of traffic over the highway, such person shall first obtain permission, in writing, which writing shall be entered of record, from the board of county commissioners of the county wherein such highway or highways is located, or the boards of county commissioners of adjoining counties acting together, if the obstructed or interrupted part thereof is located upon a county line or extends from one county to another. Before such permission may be granted by any board of county commissioners, such person shall first file with each board of county commissioners from which permission is requested, a surety bond, in a sum to be fixed by and to the approval of such board of county commissioners, payable to the county, conditioned either upon the payment of any damages which such county or road may sustain or upon the proper restoration of such highway, as such county commissioners may direct. Formerly: Acts 1947, c.151, s.2.

Ind. Code § 8-1-23-3 Construction contracts

Sec. 3. If any person shall desire to lay a pipe line, conduit or private drain, across or along any county highway of this state, such person shall first enter into a contract with the board of county commissioners in each county wherein it is desired to locate such pipe line, conduit or drain, which contract will obligate the owner thereof to restore the county highway to its original condition after the laying thereof and to reimburse the county for the use of such highway. In addition such person shall file with the board of county commissioners a surety bond, payable to the county, in a sum to be set by and to the approval of the board of county commissioners, conditioned upon the performance of such contract. No such contract shall give any person a permanent right or easement to use any county highway but such contract may give the right to use such highway so long as such pipe line, conduit or drain, does not interfere with the alteration, use, abandonment or public enjoyment of such county highway. Formerly: Acts 1947, c.151, s.3.

Ind. Code § 8-1-23-4 "Person"

Sec. 4. The word person as used in this chapter shall include a public utility, partnership, limited liability company, firm, association, or corporation. Formerly: Acts 1947, c.151, s.4. As amended by P.L.8-1993, SEC.129; P.L.136-2018, SEC.77.

Ind. Code § 8-1-23-5 Violations

Sec. 5. A person who installs a pipeline, conduit, or private drain, across or along any county highway, or blocks or damages any county highway without complying with this chapter, commits a Class B infraction. Formerly: Acts 1947, c.151, s.5. As amended by Acts 1978, P.L.2, SEC.809.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/8Fetched: 10/17/2026