Tex. TRANSP Code § 282.001. APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER.
This chapter applies only to a county with a population of 350,000 or more.
TOLL UNDERPASS OR TUNNEL IN CERTAIN COUNTIES
Tex. TRANSP Code ch. 282
in effectTex. TRANSP Code § 282.002. GRANT OF FRANCHISE AUTHORIZED.
The commissioners court of a county may grant to a person a franchise for the construction, maintenance, and operation of a toll underpass or tunnel under a body of water and any necessary approach to the underpass or tunnel.
Tex. TRANSP Code § 282.003. TERM OF FRANCHISE.
The term of a franchise granted under this chapter may not exceed 50 years.
Tex. TRANSP Code § 282.004. CONTRACT AUTHORIZED.
The commissioners court may contract with the franchisee to finance, construct, own, maintain, and operate a toll underpass or tunnel and any approach.
Tex. TRANSP Code § 282.005. MAINTENANCE REQUIRED.
(a) The franchise must be conditioned on the franchisee's building and keeping in continuous repair, for the term of the franchise, the toll underpass or tunnel and any approach in accordance with the plans and specifications in the contract and franchise.
(b) The contract and franchise must provide that the franchisee keep the underpass or tunnel and any approach in continuous repair during the term of the contract or franchise.
Tex. TRANSP Code § 282.006. TOLL.
The commissioners court and the franchisee shall agree on a reasonable toll to impose for all cattle, railroads, persons, or vehicles that pass through the underpass or tunnel.
Tex. TRANSP Code § 282.007. OPTION OF COUNTY TO PURCHASE.
The contract and franchise granted may provide that the county has the right to purchase the underpass or tunnel at the time and price specified by the contract or franchise.
Tex. TRANSP Code § 282.008. OWNERSHIP BY COUNTY AUTHORIZED.
The commissioners court may provide for the county to construct, acquire, own, and operate an underpass or tunnel and any necessary approach as part of the county's road and bridge system.
Tex. TRANSP Code § 282.009. CROSSING UNDER NAVIGABLE BODY OF WATER.
The franchise must provide that the underpass or tunnel be constructed so that, where it crosses a navigable body of water, the tunnel or underpass is at a depth below the fixed navigable depth of the body of water adequate to comply with law and the rules and regulations of a state authority or department of the United States government in charge of the body of water.
Tex. TRANSP Code § 282.010. TOLL BY COUNTY AUTHORIZED.
The commissioners court of a county that operates an underpass or tunnel may impose a toll for use of the underpass or tunnel.
Tex. TRANSP Code § 282.011. CONDEMNATION OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OR EASEMENT.
A county may condemn a right-of-way or easement in real property necessary to construct an underpass, tunnel, or approach.
Tex. TRANSP Code § 282.012. GRANTS OR LOANS OF PUBLIC FUNDS.
A commissioners court may enter into an agreement that relates to a grant or loan of public funds from the federal government as necessary to carry out this chapter.