- (a) A municipality may not construct, maintain, or operate a bridge over or across an entrance channel to a deepwater port operated by a navigation district without a permit issued by the commissioners of the district. Plans and specifications for the bridge must be jointly approved by the commissioners and the governing body of the municipality.
(b) If a bridge over or across the entrance channel to the port is constructed, maintained, or operated under this subchapter, the commissioners of the navigation district:
- (1) may prescribe reasonable rules for the operation of the bridge in aid of navigation;
- (2) shall exercise direct control over the maintenance and operation of the mechanical facilities of the bridge that provide clearance of the channel for vessels to enter or leave the port;
- (3) may employ and direct all agencies in the management and operation of those facilities; and
- (4) may appropriate and use any available revenue of the district to defray the cost of maintaining or operating the bridge.
- (c) A municipality may not construct, maintain, or operate a bridge over or across an entrance channel to a deepwater port operated by a navigation district except as provided by this section.
- (d) This section does not apply after land or a facility mortgaged by a municipality is sold on foreclosure.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 227, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.