Connecticut General Statutes
Chapter 238 - Highway Construction and Maintenance
Section 13a-37. - Determination of boundaries.

If, in the opinion of the commissioner, the boundary lines or limits of any state highway have become lost or uncertain, he may cause a map or maps of such highway to be made and may reestablish such boundary lines or limits as, in his opinion, they were originally established. Said commissioner shall, by written notice to the selectmen of the town in which any such highway is situated and to each known adjoining proprietor on any such highway, by registered or certified mail to the last-known address, give a description of such boundaries or limits as reestablished and file with the town clerk of such town a copy of such map or maps which shall clearly define the lines of such highway and the bounds thereof. The lines, boundaries and limits so defined shall be the lines, boundaries and limits of such highway, unless any person or town claiming to be aggrieved thereby has taken an appeal to the Superior Court within sixty days from the filing of such map or maps, and said court has, after full hearing, found and determined new lines for such highway and rendered judgment defining the same. If said commissioner is unable to prove the location of any such boundaries or limits, he may purchase or condemn such right-of-way over land adjoining the traveled portion of the highway as is, in his opinion, necessary for highway purposes under the provisions of part IV of this chapter, or may make written agreements with the owners thereof concerning such lines, such agreements to be executed in the manner required for deeds and recorded in the office of the town clerk in which such land is located by the commissioner. Said commissioner shall mark such boundaries or limits by a uniform and distinctive type of marker. The expenses, costs and fees of the commissioner for legal, engineering or other services, land damage or other damages in reestablishing or locating such boundary lines shall be paid from the funds received from the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.

(1949 Rev., S. 2230; 1958 Rev., S. 13-110; 1961, P.A. 162; 1963, P.A. 226, S. 38; 1971, P.A. 870, S. 102; P.A. 76-436, S. 328, 681.)
History: 1961 act provided agreements between commissioner and owners be written, executed in manner of deeds and recorded in town clerk's office; 1963 act replaced previous provisions: See title history; 1971 act substituted court of common pleas for superior court, effective September 1, 1971, except that courts with cases pending retain jurisdiction unless pending cases deemed transferable; P.A. 76-436 substituted superior court for court of common pleas, effective July 1, 1978.
See Sec. 13a-39 re selectmen's authority to define bounds of highways.
Necessary width of highway for tree planting discussed. 6 CS 5. Burden on commissioner to prove true location of lost boundary line. 7 CS 135. Cited. Id., 436. “Appeal” from reestablishment of lost boundaries. Id., 516. “Adjoining proprietors” does not include estate administrator; compared with Sec. 13a-73(b) (formerly Sec. 13-145). 11 CS 39. Cited. 27 CS 472.

Structure Connecticut General Statutes

Connecticut General Statutes

Title 13a - Highways and Bridges

Chapter 238 - Highway Construction and Maintenance

Section 13a-36. - Milestones to be reset.

Section 13a-37. - Determination of boundaries.

Section 13a-38. - Entry on private property to determine boundary.

Section 13a-39. - Selectmen to define bounds of highway.

Section 13a-40. - Appeal.

Section 13a-41. - Bounds of new highways to be marked and recorded.

Section 13a-42. - Taking of roads into state system.

Section 13a-43. - Abandonment of state highway.

Section 13a-44. - Transfer of state highway to town.

Section 13a-45. - Effective date of transfers and abandonments.

Section 13a-46. - Transfers of rights in lands on transfer of roads.

Section 13a-47. - Powers of commissioner unaffected.

Section 13a-48. - Acceptance of highways by municipalities.

Section 13a-49. - Discontinuance of highways or private ways.

Section 13a-50. - Discontinuance of highway by Superior Court.

Section 13a-51. - Discontinued turnpikes remain highways.

Section 13a-52. - No assessed damages collected if unopened highway discontinued.

Section 13a-53. - Discontinuance of highway crossing railroad.

Section 13a-54. - Abandonment of highway for construction of dam.

Section 13a-55. - Right-of-way of property owners bounding a discontinued or abandoned highway or a highway any portion of which is discontinued or abandoned.

Section 13a-56. - Relocation to straighten or remove dangerous location.

Section 13a-57. - Layout of state highway.

Section 13a-57a. - Consultation with municipal officers in planning of highway within municipality.

Section 13a-57b. - Areas for bicycles and pedestrians.

Section 13a-57c. - Model pollinator habitat along state highways. Identification of opportunities for replacement of turf grasses. Report.

Section 13a-57d. - Model pollinator habitat in deforested areas of state highways. Authority.

Section 13a-58. - Public hearing on proposed layout.

Section 13a-58a. - Change of zone of property within limits of laid-out highway prohibited.

Section 13a-60. - Entry upon private property in altering of highways.

Section 13a-60a. - Entry to repair or relocate private driveway.

Section 13a-61. - Layout of highways by selectmen.

Section 13a-62. - Application to Superior Court for relief.

Section 13a-63. - Refusal of selectmen to lay out or alter highway.

Section 13a-64. - Remonstrance. Reestimate of damages and benefits by jury.

Section 13a-65. - When jury's doings conclusive. New jury.

Section 13a-66. - Costs on application for jury.

Section 13a-67. - Committee's accepted report to be recorded. Judgment.

Section 13a-68. - Assessment of benefits limited. Collection.

Section 13a-69. - Proceedings when towns disobey court order.

Section 13a-70. - Bond to construct highway when application pending in court.

Section 13a-71. - Layout by individuals.

Section 13a-72. - Alteration or relocation of highway for dam construction.

Section 13a-73. - Acquisition of real property. Condemnation of land for: State highway, highway maintenance storage area or garage; military purposes; highway drainage or preservation of historical monument; rights of access and egress. State owned...

Section 13a-74. - Payment of damages.

Section 13a-75. - Determination of value of flood-damaged land.

Section 13a-76. - Reassessment of damages or benefits by judge trial referee or court.

Section 13a-76a. - Additional damages for unreasonable delay in taking.

Section 13a-77. - Costs in appeals from awards in highway cases.

Section 13a-78. - Lien for assessed benefits.

Section 13a-79. - Interest payable ninety days after acceptance of agreement.

Section 13a-79a and 13a-79b. - Right-of-way revolving fund; payment of taxes on and lease of property acquired prior to highway construction. Establishment of long-range highway plan.

Section 13a-79c. - Federal assistance for early acquisition of rights-of-way.

Section 13a-80. - Sale or lease of land by commissioner. Auctions. Appraisals. Offer to agencies and abutting landowners.

Section 13a-80a. - Disposition of interests on, above or below state highway rights-of-way.

Section 13a-80b. - Order of priorities.

Section 13a-80c. - Limitation.

Section 13a-80d. - Conformation with local zoning regulations and ordinances.

Section 13a-80e. - Tax assessment.

Section 13a-80f. - Acquisition of land or air space.

Section 13a-80g. - Disposition of interest in, above or below municipal highways.

Section 13a-80h. - Agreement setting forth responsibilities of municipality and Commissioner of Transportation re acquisition of real property required for certain bridge projects.

Section 13a-80i. - Mediation of purchase of state property not required for highway purposes.

Section 13a-81. - Relocation of persons, businesses and farms displaced by state highway construction.

Section 13a-81a to 13a-81l. - Highway relocation assistance.

Section 13a-82. - Damages or benefits by change of grade of municipal highway. Lien.

Section 13a-83. - Assessment of benefits by municipalities.

Section 13a-84. - Ascertainment of damages or benefits. Remonstrance.

Section 13a-85. - Assessment on private property, when collectible.

Section 13a-85a. - Acquisition of land adjacent to state highways for preservation and enhancement of scenic beauty and development of rest and recreation areas.

Section 13a-85b. - Aquisition of properties situated in right-of-way for limited access highway from Danbury to Norwalk.

Section 13a-85c. - Sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of excess property obtained in connection with the Route 6 Expressway.

Section 13a-86. - Construction of bridges; cost; width.

Section 13a-86a. - Geometric design standards for bridges, exceptions. Factors re bridge rehabilitation or new construction. Development or construction of projects by municipal governments. Immunity from liability.

Section 13a-87. - Maintenance of bridges by commissioner.

Section 13a-88. - Load capacity.

Section 13a-89. - Appeal to commissioner from posted weight restriction.

Section 13a-90. - Bridge over artificial watercourse.

Section 13a-91. - Sidewalks on bridges.

Section 13a-92. - Sidewalks on bridges at Thompsonville and Warehouse Point.

Section 13a-93. - Snow removal from state highways.

Section 13a-94. - Construction over or adjacent to streams.

Section 13a-95. - Submission of bids on state highway construction.

Section 13a-95a. - Award of contracts to certain small business concerns and minority business enterprises.

Section 13a-95b. - Designation of projects using construction-manager-at-risk or design-build contracts.

Section 13a-95c. - Commissioner's duties re construction-manager-at-risk and design-build contracts. Use of department employees and consultants.

Section 13a-96. - Payment to contractor under highway contract.

Section 13a-97. - Agreement for town maintenance of state highways.

Section 13a-97a. - Improvement of state highways by towns in conjunction with redevelopment or utility improvements.

Section 13a-97b. - Adopt a highway program. Regulations.

Section 13a-97c. - Contracts for repair, improvement and maintenance work on limited access highways or concerning adopt a highway programs.

Section 13a-97d. - Required provision on sewer and utility service grates in certain highway project bids and contracts.

Section 13a-97e. - Annual report re certain highway project bids and contracts and installation of wrong-way signs.

Section 13a-98. - Authority for additional construction; reimbursement by party requesting.

Section 13a-98a. - Construction of frontage roads.

Section 13a-98b. - Construction of urban arterial streets.

Section 13a-98c and 13a-98d. - Extension of federal-aid primary and secondary systems into urban areas. Agreements with Secretary of Transportation and municipalities.

Section 13a-98e. - Acquisition of land and rights-of-way.

Section 13a-98f. - Regulation of accommodation of utilities to federal surface transportation urban program roadways or facilities. Apportionment of cost of readjusting, relocating or removing facility necessitated by state highway project.

Section 13a-98g and 13a-98h. - Federal aid urban system. Selection of routes to be included in system.

Section 13a-98i. - Agreements for acceptances and expenditure of funds.

Section 13a-98j. - Municipal and state responsibility for streets or roads in the urban program.

Section 13a-98k. - Use of program roadways or facilities by utility facilities or utilities.

Section 13a-98l. - Specifications to encourage use of recycled materials in projects.

Section 13a-98m. - Definition.

Section 13a-98n. - Local transportation capital program.

Section 13a-98o. - Use of coal tar sealants on state and local highways. Prohibition. Enforcement.

Section 13a-99. - Towns to build and repair highways and bridges.

Section 13a-99a. - Town roads lying within, intersecting or crossing state highway rights-of-way.

Section 13a-100. - Expense of bridges between towns.

Section 13a-100a. - Maintenance of pedestrian walkways on bridges.

Section 13a-101. - Bridges over artificial watercourses.

Section 13a-102. - Court may direct construction or repair of bridge.

Section 13a-103. - Complaint to court for failure of town to maintain highway.

Section 13a-104. - Proceeding against borough for failure to maintain highway.

Section 13a-105. - Contracts for highway construction.

Section 13a-106. - Competitive bids not required when material available at price acceptable to commissioner.

Section 13a-107. - Selectmen to open highway blocked with snow.

Section 13a-108. - Rural free delivery route to be opened.

Section 13a-109. - Apportionment of cost for work on bridge.

Section 13a-110. - Lighting on bridges, dangerous locations and intersections.

Section 13a-110a. - Highway and roadway lighting designed to maximize energy conservation and minimize light pollution. State and municipal funds.

Section 13a-111. - Railings on bridges and highways.

Section 13a-112. - Certain bridges to have draws.

Section 13a-113. - Drawbridges to have gates.

Section 13a-114. - Traffic control during department operations.

Section 13a-115. - Closing highways under construction, maintenance or repair.

Section 13a-116. - Warning signs.

Section 13a-117. - Permit to operate truck between parts of industrial plant.

Section 13a-117a. (Formerly Sec. 13a-28). - Permit to operate service car or wrecker on limited access highway.

Section 13a-117b. - Soliciting of business by service car and wrecker businesses.

Section 13a-118. - United States routes to be marked.

Section 13a-119. - Warning and directional signs. Control cities.

Section 13a-120. - Traffic authority to maintain warning signs.

Section 13a-121. - Notice of load capacity; appeal.

Section 13a-122. - Installation of decorations in streets restricted.

Section 13a-123. - Restriction of outdoor advertising structures, signs, displays or devices on state property or interstate, federal-aid and other limited access highways. Signs upon or within buildings or personal property. Exceptions. License or p...

Section 13a-123a. - Church signs on state highways.

Section 13a-123b. - Exemption of certain areas.

Section 13a-123c. - Junkyard and scrap metal processing facilities control. Definitions.

Section 13a-123d. - Regulations.

Section 13a-123e. - Certificate of approval.

Section 13a-123f. - Screening of certain installations. Acquisition of property by Commissioner of Transportation.

Section 13a-123g. - Facilities as nuisance. Abatement.

Section 13a-123h. - Provisions of other statutes, ordinances, etc., not abrogated.

Section 13a-123i. - Facilities in industrial area not affected.

Section 13a-123j. - Agreements with Secretary of Commerce.

Section 13a-124. - Unauthorized signs.

Section 13a-124a. - Specific service sign on limited access highways. Regulations.

Section 13a-124b. - Payment for design and production of signs or notices re Connecticut-made beer facilities.

Section 13a-125. - Removal or destruction of signs.

Section 13a-126. - Readjustment, relocation or removal of public service facilities for highway construction.

Section 13a-126a. - Regulation of public service facility installations along state highway rights-of-way for aesthetic purposes.

Section 13a-126b. - Agreements with public service facility operators for revision of plans of proposed installation.

Section 13a-126c. - Longitudinal use of highway right-of-way by public service facility or company.

Section 13a-126d. - Notification provided to Public Utilities Regulatory Authority and public service companies re highway construction projects.

Section 13a-126e. - Easements for public service companies to provide service to Department of Transportation facilities.

Section 13a-127. - Utility lines on certain bridges.

Section 13a-128. - Discontinuance or alteration of highways in watershed.

Section 13a-129. - Court procedure. Estimate of damages. Appeal.

Section 13a-130. - Bridges over railroad tracks.

Section 13a-131. - Alteration of highway made unsafe by railroad occupation.

Section 13a-132. - Alteration of railroad facilities in construction of highway.

Section 13a-133. - Contracts with railroads where tracks to be altered. Advancement of funds.

Section 13a-134. - Location of tracks of street railway.

Section 13a-135. - Taking of street railway rails and ties by commissioner.

Section 13a-136. - Benefits assessed where highway is dike against tides.

Section 13a-137. - Material for repair of highway taken from private land.

Section 13a-138. - Highways may be drained into private lands.

Section 13a-138a. - Limitation on actions for drainage damage.

Section 13a-139. - Clearing untraveled portion of highway.

Section 13a-140. - Removal of trees along state highways. Penalties established by municipalities.

Section 13a-141. - Bridle paths; pedestrian walks; bicycle paths.

Section 13a-141a. - State-wide footpath and bicycle trail plan.

Section 13a-142. - Bridle paths along Merritt Parkway.

Section 13a-142a. - Acquisition of land adjacent to highway for environmental protection purposes.

Section 13a-142b. - Development of linear parks along state highways.

Section 13a-142c. - Authority of Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Section 13a-142d. - Route 11 linear park.

Section 13a-142e. - Route 11 Greenway Authority Commission. Transfer of real property to Commissioner of Transportation.

Section 13a-143. - Commercial establishments along limited access highways.

Section 13a-143a. - Driveway permits.

Section 13a-143b. - Car-wash installation to correct icy highway conditions.

Section 13a-143c. - Regulations establishing minimum requirements re traffic safety for car wash facilities.

Section 13a-143d. - Floodlights intended for private property illumination located within the state right-of-way on state highways.

Section 13a-144. - Damages for injuries sustained on state highways or sidewalks.

Section 13a-145. - Use of closed highway at user's risk.

Section 13a-146. - Closing of municipal highway or bridge during expressway construction. Liability for injury.

Section 13a-147. - Detours to be restored.

Section 13a-148. - Damage to municipal highway or bridge in state highway construction.

Section 13a-149. - Damages for injuries by means of defective roads and bridges.

Section 13a-150. - Obligations of towns.

Section 13a-151. - Violation of load capacity of bridge. Liability for damages to vehicle not in violation.

Section 13a-152. - Damages for failure to maintain railing or fence.

Section 13a-153. - State liability for bridle paths, pedestrian walks and bicycle paths and injuries thereon.

Section 13a-153f. - Accomodations and provision of facilities for all users.

Section 13a-153g. - Design standards for roads.