Upon the return of the process duly executed, defense may be made to the proceedings by any party and the local governing body may hear testimony touching the expediency or propriety of establishing or altering the highway or bridge. Upon such hearing, the local governing body shall fix just compensation to the proprietors and tenants for the land proposed to be taken and the damage accruing therefrom, unless the local governing body is of the opinion that the highway or bridge should not be established or altered in which case it shall so order.
Code 1950, § 33-148; 1964, c. 565; 1970, c. 322, § 33.1-235; 2014, c. 805.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems
Chapter 7 - Local Authority over Highways
§ 33.2-700. Transfer of highways, etc., from secondary state highway system to local authorities
§ 33.2-702. Gifts received by counties for construction, maintenance, etc., of secondary highways
§ 33.2-703. Funds for highways not in secondary state highway system
§ 33.2-704. Agreements between localities for construction and operation of toll facilities
§ 33.2-705. Continuance of powers of county authorities; alternative procedure
§ 33.2-708. Pay to viewers, commissioners, and engineers
§ 33.2-709. Consent of landowners
§ 33.2-710. Proceedings on report; notice to owners
§ 33.2-711. Guardian ad litem for persons under disability
§ 33.2-712. Defense allowed; what board may do
§ 33.2-713. Appointment of commissioners to assess damages
§ 33.2-714. Enhancement in value of residue
§ 33.2-715. Action of commissioners; report
§ 33.2-716. Appeal to circuit court
§ 33.2-717. Who shall pay costs, compensation, and damages
§ 33.2-719. Abandonment of certain highways and railway crossings
§ 33.2-720. Supervisors may issue process
§ 33.2-721. Compensation of clerk of board
§ 33.2-722. Discontinuance of gates on public highways
§ 33.2-723. Assumption of district highway indebtedness by counties