30:465E2995-71AB-4166-B2D3-1D9FA268106910/31/2017 11:0512313AINTERSTATE BRIDGES313A.1Definitions.The following words or terms, as used in this chapter, shall have the respective meanings as stated:1“Acquisition by purchase, gift, or condemnation” as used in this chapter shall mean acquisition by the department, whether such terms “purchase, gift, or condemnation” are used singularly or in sequence.2“Construct, constructing, construction or constructed” shall include the completion, reconstruction, remodeling, repair, or improvement of any existing toll bridge or any partially constructed interstate bridge, as well as the construction of any new toll bridge.3“Department” shall mean the state department of transportation.4“Federal bridge commission” shall mean any bridge commission organized and operating pursuant to an Act of the Congress of the United States, even though such Act of Congress may declare the bridge commission not to be an agency of the federal government.5“Toll bridge” shall mean an interstate bridge constructed, purchased or acquired under the provisions of this chapter, upon which tolls are charged, together with all appurtenances, additions, alterations, improvements, and replacements thereof, and the approaches thereto, and all lands and interests therein used therefor, and buildings and improvements thereon.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.1]313A.2Bridge to be controlled by department.The department shall have full charge of the construction and acquisition of all toll bridges constructed or acquired under the provisions of this chapter, the operation and maintenance thereof and the imposition and collection of tolls and charges for the use thereof. The department shall have full charge of the design of all toll bridges constructed under the provisions of this chapter. The department shall proceed with the construction of such toll bridges and other facilities and the approaches thereto by contract immediately upon there being made available funds for such work and shall prosecute such work to completion as rapidly as practicable. The department shall advertise for bids for the construction, reconstruction, improvement, repair or remodeling of any toll bridge by publication of a notice once each week for at least two consecutive weeks in a newspaper published and having a general circulation throughout the state of Iowa, the first publication to appear at least fifteen days prior to the date set for receiving bids. The department shall have the power to accept such offer or offers, propositions or bids, and enter into such contract or contracts as it shall deem to be to the best interest of the state.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.2]313A.3Toll bridges constructed over boundary rivers.The department is hereby authorized to establish and construct toll bridges upon any public highway, together with approaches thereto, wherever it is considered necessary or advantageous and practical for crossing any navigable river between this state and an adjoining state. The necessity or advantage and practicality of any toll bridge shall be determined by the department. To obtain information for the consideration of the department upon the construction of any toll bridge or any other matter pertaining thereto, any officer or employee of the state, upon the request of the department, shall make reasonable examination, investigation, survey, or reconnaissance to determine material facts pertaining thereto and shall report such findings to the department. The cost thereof shall be borne by the department or office conducting it from funds provided for its functions.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.3]313A.4Investigation of feasibility.The department is hereby authorized to enter into agreements with any federal bridge commission or any county or city of this state, and with an adjoining state or county, city, or town thereof, for the purpose of implementing an investigation of the feasibility of any toll bridge project for the bridging of a navigable river forming a portion of the boundary of this state and such adjoining state. The department may use any funds available for the purposes of this section. Such agreements may provide that in the event any such project is determined to be feasible and adopted, any advancement of funds by any state, county or city may be reimbursed out of any proceeds derived from the sale of bonds or out of tolls and revenues to be derived from such project.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.4]313A.5Acquiring existing bridge — bonds.Whenever the department deems it necessary or advantageous and practical, it may acquire by gift, purchase, or condemnation any interstate bridge which connects with or may be connected with the public highways and the approaches thereto, except that the department may not condemn an existing interstate bridge used for interstate highway traffic and combined highway and railway traffic and presently owned by a municipality, or a person, firm, or corporation engaged in interstate commerce. The department may also acquire by gift or purchase two or more existing interstate bridges and any partially constructed interstate bridge, all located within ten miles of each other, complete the partially constructed bridge and dismantle the bridge which it is designed to replace. In connection with the acquisition of any such bridge, bridges, or partially constructed bridge, the department and any federal bridge commission or any city, county, or other political subdivision of the state are authorized to do all acts and things as in this chapter are provided for the establishing and constructing of toll bridges and operating, financing, and maintaining such bridges insofar as such powers and requirements are applicable to the acquisition of any toll bridge and its operation, financing, and maintenance. In so doing, they shall act in the same manner and under the same procedures as provided for establishing, constructing, operating, financing, and maintaining toll bridges insofar as such manner and procedures are applicable. Without limiting the generality of the above provisions, the department is hereby authorized to cause surveys to be made to determine the propriety of acquiring any such bridge and the rights-of-way necessary therefor, and other facilities necessary to carry out the provisions hereof; to issue, sell, redeem bonds or issue and exchange bonds with present holders of outstanding bonds of bridges being acquired under the provisions of this chapter and deposit and pay out of the proceeds of the bonds for the financing thereof, to impose, collect, deposit, and expend tolls therefrom; to secure and remit financial and other assistance in connection with the purchase thereof; and to carry insurance thereon.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.5]313A.6Rules adopted — financial statements.The department, its officials, and all state officials are hereby authorized to perform such acts and make such agreements consistent with the law which are necessary and desirable in connection with the duties and powers conferred upon them regarding the construction, maintenance, and operation and insurance of toll bridges or the safeguarding of the funds and revenues required for such construction and the payment of the indebtedness incurred therefor. The department shall adopt such rules and regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 17A as it may deem necessary for the administration and exercise of its powers and duties granted by this chapter, and shall prepare annual financial statements regarding the operation of such toll bridges which shall be made available for inspection by the public and by the holders of revenue bonds issued by the department under the provisions of this chapter at all reasonable times.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.6]313A.7Resolution of public interest and necessity — revenue bonds.1Whenever the department deems it to be in the best interest of the primary highway system that any new toll bridge be constructed upon any public highway and across any navigable river between this state and an adjoining state, the department shall adopt a resolution declaring that the public interest and necessity require the construction of such toll bridge and authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds in an amount sufficient for the purpose of obtaining funds for such construction. The issuance of bonds as provided in this chapter for the construction, purchase, or acquisition of more than one toll bridge may, at the discretion of the department, be included in the same authority and issue or issues of bonds, and the department is hereby authorized to pledge the gross revenues derived from the operation of any such toll bridge under its control and jurisdiction to pay the principal of and interest on bonds issued to pay the cost of purchasing, acquiring, or constructing any such toll bridge financed under the provisions of this chapter. The department is hereby granted wide discretion, in connection with the financing of the cost of any toll bridge, to pledge the gross revenues of a single toll bridge for the payment of bonds and interest thereon issued to pay the cost of such bridge and to pledge the gross revenues of two or more toll bridges to pay bonds issued to pay the cost of one or more toll bridges and interest thereon as long as the several bridges included herein are not more than ten miles apart.2In addition, if the department in its discretion determines that the construction of a toll bridge cannot be financed entirely through revenue bonds and that the construction of such toll bridge is necessary, the department may advance funds from the primary highway fund to pay for that part of the construction cost, including the cost of approaches and all incidental costs, which is not paid out of the proceeds of revenue bonds. However, said funds advanced from the primary highway fund shall be used only to pay the construction cost, including the cost of approaches and all incidental costs, with respect to that part of the bridge which is or will be located within the state of Iowa. After all revenue bonds and interest thereon issued and sold pursuant to this chapter and payable from the tolls and revenues of said bridge have been fully paid and redeemed or funds sufficient to pay said bonds and interest, including premium, if any, have been set aside and pledged for that purpose, then such amount advanced from the primary road fund shall be repaid to the primary road fund from the tolls and revenues of said bridge before said bridge is made a toll free bridge under the provisions of this chapter.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.7]313A.8Right-of-way secured.Whenever the department shall authorize the construction of any toll bridge, the department is empowered to secure rights-of-way therefor and for approaches thereto by gift or purchase or by condemnation in the manner provided by law for the taking of private property for public purposes.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.8]313A.9Consent to cross state property.The right-of-way is hereby given, dedicated, and set apart upon which to locate, construct, and maintain toll bridges or approaches thereto or other highway crossings, and transportation facilities thereof or thereto, through, over or across any of the lands which are now or may be the property of this state, including highways; and through, over, or across the streets, alleys, lanes, and roads within any city, county, or other political subdivision of the state. If any property belonging to any city, county or other political subdivision of the state is required to be taken for the construction of any such bridge or approach thereto or should any such property be injured or damaged by such construction, such compensation therefor as may be proper or necessary and as shall be agreed upon may be paid by the department to the particular county, city or other political subdivision of the state owning such property, or condemnation proceedings may be brought for the determination of such compensation.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.9]313A.10Resolution precedent to action.Before the department shall proceed with any action to secure right-of-way or with the construction of any toll bridge under the provisions of this chapter, it shall first pass a resolution finding that public interest and necessity require the acquisition of right-of-way for and the construction of such toll bridge. Such resolution shall be conclusive evidence of the public necessity of such construction and that such property is necessary therefor. To aid the department in determining the public interest, a public hearing shall be held in the county or counties of this state in which any portion of a bridge is proposed to be located. Notice of such hearing shall be published at least once in a newspaper published and having a general circulation in the county or counties where such bridge is proposed to be located, not less than twenty days prior to the date of the hearing. When it becomes necessary for the department to condemn any real estate to be used in connection with any such bridge, or to condemn any existing bridge, such condemnation shall be carried out in a manner consistent with the provisions of chapters 6A and 6B. In eminent domain proceedings to acquire property for any of the purposes of this chapter, any bridge, real property, personal property, franchises, rights, easements, or other property or privileges appurtenant thereto appropriated or dedicated to a public use or purpose by any person, firm, private, public or municipal corporation, county, city, district or any political subdivision of the state, may be condemned and taken, and the acquisition and use thereof as herein provided for the same public use or purpose to which such property has been so appropriated or dedicated, or for any other public use or purpose, shall be deemed a superior and permanent right and necessity, and a more necessary use and purpose than the public use or purpose to which such property has already been appropriated or dedicated, and any condemnation award may be paid from the proceeds of revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.10]313A.11Payment from available funds.If the department determines that any toll bridge should be constructed or acquired under its authority, all costs thereof, including land, right-of-way, surveying, engineering, construction, legal and administrative expenses, and fees of any fiscal adviser, shall be paid out of any funds available for payment of the cost of the bridge.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.11]313A.12Revenue bonds.1The department is hereby authorized and empowered to issue revenue bonds for the acquisition, purchase, or construction of any interstate bridge. Any and all bonds issued by the department for the acquisition, purchase, or construction of any interstate bridge under the authority of this chapter shall be issued in the name of the department and shall constitute obligations only of the department, shall be identified by some appropriate name, and shall contain a recital on the face thereof that the payment or redemption of said bonds and the payment of the interest thereon are secured by a direct charge and lien upon the tolls and other revenues of any nature whatever received from the operation of the particular bridge for the acquisition, purchase, or construction of which the bonds are issued and of such other bridge or bridges as may have been pledged therefor, and that neither the payment of the principal or any part thereof nor of the interest thereon or any part thereof constitutes a debt, liability, or obligation of the state of Iowa. When it is determined by the department to be in the best public interest, any bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter may be refunded and refinanced at a lower rate, the same rate or a higher rate or rates of interest and from time to time as often as the department shall find it to be advisable and necessary so to do. Bonds issued to refund other bonds theretofore issued by the department under the provisions of this chapter may either be sold in the manner hereinafter provided and the proceeds thereof applied to the payment of the bonds being refunded, or the refunding bonds may be exchanged for and in payment and discharge of the bonds being refunded. The refunding bonds may be sold or exchanged in installments at different times or an entire issue or series may be sold or exchanged at one time. Any issue or series of refunding bonds may be exchanged in part or sold in part in installments at different times or at one time. The refunding bonds may be sold at any time on, before, or after the maturity of any of the outstanding bonds to be refinanced thereby and may be issued for the purpose of refunding a like or greater principal amount of bonds, except that the principal amount of the refunding bonds may exceed the principal amount of the bonds to be refunded to the extent necessary to pay any premium due on the call of the bonds to be refunded or to fund interest in arrears or about to become due. The gross revenues of any toll bridge pledged to the payment of the bonds being refunded, together with the unpledged gross revenues of any other toll bridges located within ten miles of said bridge, may be pledged by the department to pay the principal of and interest on the refunding bonds and to create and maintain reserves therefor.2The department is empowered to receive and accept funds from the state of Iowa or the federal government or any other state upon a cooperative or other basis for the acquisition, purchase, or construction of any interstate bridge authorized under the provisions of this chapter and is empowered to enter into such agreements with the state of Iowa or any other state or the federal government as may be required for the securing of such funds.3The department is authorized and empowered to spend from annual primary road fund receipts sufficient moneys to pay the cost of operation, maintenance, insurance, collection of tolls and accounting therefor and all other charges incidental to the operation and maintenance of any toll bridge administered under the provisions of this chapter. However, said annual primary road fund receipts shall be used only to pay such costs and charges with respect to that part of the bridge which is located within the state of Iowa.4The department may also issue its revenue bonds to pay all or any part of the cost of acquiring two or more existing interstate bridges and any partially constructed interstate bridge, all located within ten miles of each other, of completing the partially constructed bridge and of dismantling the bridge which it is designed to replace, and to impose and collect tolls on all of such bridges and to pledge the revenues derived therefrom to the payment of the bonds issued to finance such project. The department may also issue its revenue bonds to pay all or any part of the cost of reconstructing, completing, improving, repairing, or remodeling any interstate bridge or partially constructed bridge, impose and collect tolls, and pledge the bridge revenues to the payment of said bonds.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.12]2017 Acts, ch 54, §76313A.13Sale and exchange or retirement of bonds.The revenue bonds may be issued and sold or exchanged by the department from time to time and in such amounts as it deems necessary to provide sufficient funds for the acquisition, purchase, or construction of any such bridge and to pay interest on bonds issued for the construction of any toll bridge during the period of actual construction and for six months after completion thereof. The department is hereby authorized to adopt all necessary resolutions prescribing the form, conditions, and denominations of the bonds, the maturity dates therefor, and the interest rate or rates which the bonds shall bear. All bonds of the same issue need not bear the same interest rate. Principal and interest of the bonds shall be payable at such place or places within or without the state of Iowa as determined by the department, and the bonds may contain provisions for registration as to principal or interest, or both. Interest shall be payable at such times as determined by the department and the bonds shall mature at such times and in such amounts as the department prescribes. The department may provide for the retirement of the bonds at any time prior to maturity, and in such manner and upon payment of such premiums as it may determine in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds. All such bonds and any coupons attached thereto shall be signed by such officials of the department as the department may direct. Successive issues of such bonds within the limits of the original authorization shall have equal preference with respect to the payment of the principal thereof and the payment of interest thereon. The department may fix different maturity dates, serially or otherwise, for successive issues under any one original authorization. All bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter shall have all the qualities of negotiable instruments under the laws of the state of Iowa. All bonds issued and sold hereunder shall be sold to the highest and best bidder on the basis of sealed proposals received pursuant to a notice specifying the time and place of sale and the amount of bonds to be sold which shall be published at least once not less than seven days prior to the sale in a newspaper published in the state of Iowa and having a general circulation in said state. None of the provisions of chapter 75 shall apply to bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter but such bonds shall be sold upon terms of not less than par plus accrued interest. The department may reject any or all bids received at the public sale and may thereafter sell the bonds at private sale on such terms and conditions as it deems most advantageous to its own interests, but not at a price below that of the best bid received at the advertised sale. The department may enter into contracts and borrow money through the sale of bonds of the same character as those herein authorized, from the United States or any agency thereof, upon such conditions and terms as may be agreed to and the bonds shall be subject to all the provisions of this chapter, except that any bonds issued hereunder to the United States or any agency thereof need not first be offered at public sale. The department may also provide for the private sale of bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter to the state treasurer of Iowa upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon, and in such event said bonds need not first be offered at public sale. Temporary or interim bonds, certificates, or receipts, of any denomination, and with or without coupons attached, signed by such official as the department may direct, may be issued and delivered until the definitive bonds are executed and available for delivery.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.13]313A.14Proceeds in trust fund.The proceeds from the sale of all bonds authorized and issued under the provisions of this chapter shall be deposited by the department in a fund designated as the construction fund of the particular interstate bridge or bridges for which such bonds were issued and sold, which fund shall not be a state fund and shall at all times be kept segregated and set apart from all other funds and in trust for the purposes herein set out. Such proceeds shall be paid out or disbursed solely for the acquisition, purchase, or construction of such interstate bridge or bridges and expenses incident thereto, the acquisition of the necessary lands and easements therefor and the payment of interest on such bonds during the period of actual construction and for a period of six months thereafter, only as the need therefor shall arise and the department may agree with the purchaser of said bonds upon any conditions or limitations restricting the disbursement of such funds that may be deemed advisable, for the purpose of assuring the proper application of such funds. All moneys in such fund and not required to meet current construction costs of the interstate bridge or bridges for which such bonds were issued and sold, and all funds constituting surplus revenues which are not immediately needed for the particular object or purpose to which they must be applied or are pledged may be invested in obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States or by any person controlled by or supervised by and acting as an instrumentality of the United States pursuant to authority granted by the Congress of the United States; provided, however, that the department may provide in the proceedings authorizing the issuance of said bonds that the investment of such moneys shall be made only in particular bonds and obligations within the classifications eligible for such investment and such provisions shall thereupon be binding upon the department and all officials having anything to do with such investment. Any surplus which may exist in said construction fund shall be applied to the retirement of bonds issued for the acquisition, purchase, or construction of any such interstate bridge by purchase or call and, in the event such bonds cannot be purchased at a price satisfactory to the department and are not by their terms callable prior to maturity, such surplus shall be paid into the fund applicable to the payment of principal and interest of said bonds and shall be used for that purpose. The proceedings authorizing the issuance of bonds may provide limitations and conditions upon the time and manner of applying such surplus to the purchase and call of outstanding bonds and the terms upon which they shall be purchased or called and such limitations and conditions shall be followed and observed in the application and use of such surplus. All bonds so retired by purchase or call shall be immediately canceled.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.14]313A.15Toll revenue fund.All tolls or other revenues received from the operation of any toll bridge acquired, purchased, or constructed with the proceeds of bonds issued and sold hereunder shall be deposited by the department to the credit of a special trust fund to be designated as the toll revenue fund of the particular toll bridge or toll bridges producing such tolls or revenue, which fund shall be a trust fund and shall at all times be kept segregated and set apart from all other funds.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.15]313A.16Funds transferred to place of payment.From the money so deposited in each separate construction fund as hereinabove provided, at the direction of the department there shall be transferred to the place or places of payment named in said bonds such sums as may be required to pay the interest as it becomes due on all bonds issued and outstanding for the construction of such particular toll bridge or toll bridges during the period of actual construction and during the period of six months immediately thereafter. The department shall thereafter transfer from each separate toll revenue fund to the place or places of payment named in the bonds for which said revenues have been pledged such sums as may be required to pay the interest on said bonds and redeem the principal thereof as such interest and principal become due. All funds so transferred for the payment of principal of or interest on bonds issued for any particular toll bridge or toll bridges shall be segregated and applied solely for the payment of said principal or interest. The proceedings authorizing the issuance of the bonds may provide for the setting up of a reserve fund or funds out of the tolls and other revenues not needed for the payment of principal and interest, as the same currently matures and for the preservation and continuance of such fund in a manner to be provided therein, and such proceedings may also require the immediate application of all surplus moneys in such toll revenue fund to the retirement of such bonds prior to maturity, by call or purchase, in such manner and upon such terms and the payment of such premiums as may be deemed advisable in the judgment of the department. The moneys remaining in each separate toll revenue fund after providing the amount required for the payment of principal of and interest on bonds as hereinabove provided, shall be held and applied as provided in the proceedings authorizing the issuance of said bonds. In the event the proceedings authorizing the issuance of said bonds do not require surplus revenues to be held or applied in any particular manner, they shall be allocated and used for such other purposes incidental to the construction, operation, and maintenance of any toll bridge as the department may determine and as permitted under sections 313A.7 and 313A.12.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.16]313A.17Warrants for payment.Warrants for payments to be made on account of such bonds shall be drawn by the department on duly approved vouchers. Moneys required to meet the costs of purchase or construction and all expenses and costs incidental to the acquisition, purchase, or construction of any particular interstate bridge or to meet the costs of operating, maintaining, and repairing the same, shall be paid by the department from the proper fund therefor upon duly approved vouchers. All interest received or earned on money deposited in each and every fund herein provided for shall be credited to and become a part of the particular fund upon which said interest accrues.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.17]313A.18Depositaries or paying agents.The department may provide in the proceedings authorizing the issuance of bonds or may otherwise agree with the purchasers of bonds regarding the deposit of all moneys constituting the construction fund and the toll revenue fund and provide for the deposit of such money at such times and with such depositaries or paying agents and upon the furnishing of such security as may meet with the approval of the purchasers of such bonds.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.18]313A.19Expenses of department.Notwithstanding any provision contained in this chapter, the proceeds received from the sale of bonds and the tolls or other revenues received from the operation of any toll bridge may be used to defray any expenses incurred by the department in connection with and incidental to the issuance and sale of bonds for the acquisition, purchase, or construction of any such toll bridge including expenses for the preparation of surveys and estimates, legal, fiscal and administrative expenses, and the making of such inspections and examinations as may be required by the purchasers of such bonds; provided, that the proceedings authorizing the issuance of such bonds may contain appropriate provisions governing the use and application of said bond proceeds and toll or other revenues for the purposes herein specified.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.19]313A.20No diminution of duties while bonds outstanding.While any bonds issued by the department remain outstanding, the powers, duties or existence of the department or of any other official or agency of the state shall not be diminished or impaired in any manner that will affect adversely the interests and rights of the holders of such bonds. The holder of any bond may by mandamus or other appropriate proceeding require and compel the performance of any of the duties imposed upon any state department, official, or employee or imposed upon the department or its officers, agents, and employees in connection with the acquisition, purchase, construction, maintenance, operation, and insurance of any bridge and in connection with the collection, deposit, investment, application, and disbursement of all tolls and other revenues derived from the operation and use of any bridge and in connection with the deposit, investment, and disbursement of the proceeds received from the issuance of bonds; provided, that the enumeration of such rights and remedies herein shall not be deemed to exclude the exercise or prosecution of any other rights or remedies by the holders of such bonds.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.20]313A.21Insurance or indemnity bond.When any toll bridge authorized hereunder is being built by the department it may carry or cause to be carried such an amount of insurance or indemnity bond or bonds as protection against loss or damage as it may deem proper. The department is hereby further empowered to carry such an amount of insurance to cover any accident or destruction in part or in whole to any toll bridge. All moneys collected on any indemnity bond or insurance policy as the result of any damage or injury to any such toll bridge shall be used for the purpose of repairing or rebuilding of any such toll bridge as long as there are revenue bonds against any such structure outstanding and unredeemed. The department is also empowered to carry insurance or indemnity bonds insuring against the loss of tolls or other revenues to be derived from any such toll bridge by reason of any interruption in the use of such toll bridge from any cause whatever, and the proceeds of such insurance or indemnity bonds shall be paid into the fund into which the tolls and other revenues of the bridge thus insured are required to be paid and shall be applied to the same purposes and in the same manner as other moneys in the said fund. Such insurance or indemnity bonds may be in an amount equal to the probable tolls and other revenues to be received from the operation of such toll bridge during any period of time that may be determined upon by the department and fixed in its discretion, and be paid for out of the toll revenue fund as may be specified in said proceedings. The department may provide in the proceedings authorizing the issuance of bonds for the carrying of insurance as authorized by this chapter and the purchase and carrying of insurance as authorized by this chapter shall thereupon be obligatory upon the department and be paid for out of the toll revenue fund as may be specified in said proceedings.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.21]313A.22Toll charges fixed by department.The department is hereby empowered to fix the rates of toll and other charges for all interstate bridges acquired, purchased, or constructed under the terms of this chapter. Toll charges so fixed may be changed from time to time as conditions may warrant. The department in establishing toll charges shall give due consideration to the amount required annually to pay the principal of and interest on bonds payable from the revenues thereof. The tolls and charges shall be at all times fixed at rates sufficient to pay the bonds and interest as they mature, together with the creation and maintenance of bond reserve funds and other funds as established in the proceedings authorizing the issuance of the bonds, for any particular toll bridge. The amounts required to pay the principal of and interest on bonds shall constitute a charge and lien on all such tolls and other revenues and interest thereon and sinking funds created therefrom received from the use and operation of said toll bridge, and the department is hereby authorized to pledge a sufficient amount of said tolls and revenues for the payment of bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter and interest thereon and to create and maintain a reserve therefor. Such tolls and revenues, together with the interest earned thereon, shall constitute a trust fund for the security and payment of such bonds and shall not be used or pledged for any other purpose as long as such bonds or any of them are outstanding and unpaid.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.22]313A.23Political subdivision may aid.Whenever a proposed interstate bridge is to be acquired, purchased or constructed, any city, county, or other political subdivision located in relation to such facility so as to benefit directly or indirectly thereby, may, either jointly or separately, at the request of the department advance or contribute money, rights-of-way, labor, materials, and other property toward the expense of acquiring, purchasing or constructing the bridge, and for preliminary surveys and the preparation of plans and estimates of cost therefor and other preliminary expenses. Any such city, county, or other political subdivision may, either jointly or separately, at the request of the department advance or contribute money for the purpose of guaranteeing the payment of interest or principal on the bonds issued by the department to finance the bridge. Appropriations for such purposes may be made from any funds available, including county road funds received from or credited by the state, or funds obtained by excess tax levies made pursuant to law or the issuance of general obligation bonds for this purpose. Money or property so advanced or contributed may be immediately transferred or delivered to the department to be used for the purpose for which contribution was made. The department may enter into an agreement with a city, county, or other political subdivision to repay any money or the value of a right-of-way, labor, materials or other property so advanced or contributed. The department may make such repayment to a city, county, or other political subdivision and reimburse the state for any expenditures made by it in connection with the bridge out of tolls and other revenues for the use of the bridge.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.23]313A.24Sale of excess land to political subdivisions.If the department deems that any land, including improvements thereon, is no longer required for toll bridge purposes and that it is in the public interest, it may negotiate for the sale of such land to the state or to any city, county, or other political subdivision or municipal corporation of the state. The department shall certify the agreement for the sale to the state executive council, with a description of the land and the terms of the sale and the state executive council may execute the deed and deliver it to the grantee.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.24]313A.25Sale to public.If the department is of the opinion that any land, including improvements thereon, is no longer required for toll bridge purposes, it may be offered for sale upon publication of a notice once each week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper published and having a general circulation throughout the state of Iowa, specifying the time and place fixed for the receipt of bids.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.25]313A.26Acceptance or rejection of bids.The department may reject all such bids if the highest bid does not equal the reasonable fair market value of the real property, plus the value of the improvements thereon, computed on the basis of the reproduction value less depreciation. The department may accept the highest and best bid, and certify the agreement for the sale to the state executive council, with a description of the land and the terms of the sale and the state executive council shall execute the deed and deliver it to the grantee.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.26]313A.27Franchises for use of bridge.If the department deems it consistent with the use and operation of any toll bridge, the department may grant franchises to persons, firms, associations, private or municipal corporations, the United States government or any agency thereof, to use any portion of the property of any toll bridge, including approaches thereto, for the construction and maintenance of water pipes, flumes, gas pipes, telephone, telegraph and electric light and power lines and conduits, trams or railways, and any other such facilities in the manner of granting franchises on state highways.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.27]313A.28Deposit of proceeds.Any moneys received pursuant to the provisions of sections 313A.24 through 313A.27 shall be deposited by the department into the separate and proper trust fund established for the bridge.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.28]313A.29Tolls imposed for improving other bridges.The department shall have the right to impose and reimpose tolls for pedestrian or vehicular traffic over any interstate bridges under its control and jurisdiction for the purpose of paying the cost of reconstructing and improving existing bridges and their approaches, purchasing existing bridges, and constructing new bridges and approaches, provided that any such existing bridge or new bridge is located within ten miles of the bridge on which tolls are so imposed or reimposed, to pay interest on and create a sinking fund for the retirement of revenue bonds issued for the account of such projects and to pay any and all costs and expenses incurred by the department in connection with and incidental to the issuance and sale of bonds and for the preparation of surveys and estimates and to establish the required interest reserves for and during the estimated construction period and for six months thereafter.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.29]313A.30Bridges as part of primary roads.The bridges herein provided for may be incorporated into the primary road system as toll free bridges whenever the costs of the construction of the bridges and the approaches thereto and the reconstruction and improvement of existing bridges and approaches thereto, including all incidental costs, have been paid and when all revenue bonds and interest thereon issued and sold pursuant to this chapter and payable from the tolls and revenues thereof shall have been fully paid and redeemed or funds sufficient to pay said bonds and interest, including premium, if any, have been set aside and pledged for that purpose. However, tolls may again be imposed as provided in section 313A.29.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.30]313A.31Revenue bonds.1The department shall have the power and is hereby authorized by resolution to issue, sell, or pledge its revenue bonds in an amount sufficient to provide funds to pay all or any part of the costs of construction of a new bridge and approaches thereto and the reconstruction, improvement, and maintaining of an existing bridge and approaches thereto, including all costs of survey, acquisition of right-of-way, engineering, legal, fiscal and incidental expenses, to pay the interest due thereon during the period beginning with the date of issue of the bonds and ending at the expiration of six months after the first imposition and collection of tolls from the users of said bridges, and all costs incidental to the issuance and sale of the bonds.2Except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute, all of the other provisions of this chapter shall govern the issuance and sale of revenue bonds issued under this section, the execution thereof, the disbursement of the proceeds of issuance thereof, the interest rate or rates thereon, their form, terms, conditions, covenants, negotiability, denominations, maturity date or dates, the creation of special funds or accounts safeguarding and providing for the payment of the principal thereof and interest thereon, and their manner of redemption and retirement.3Such bonds shall include a covenant that the payment of the principal thereof and the interest thereon are secured by a first and direct charge and lien on all of the tolls and other gross revenues received from the operation of said toll bridges and from any interest which may be earned from the deposit or investment of any such revenues.4The tolls and charges shall be at all times fixed at rates sufficient to pay the bonds and interest as they mature, together with the creation and maintenance of bond reserve funds and other funds as established in the proceedings authorizing the issuance of the bonds.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.31]2017 Acts, ch 54, §76313A.32Operation and control of bridge.The department is hereby authorized to operate and to assume the full control of said toll bridges and each portion thereof whether within or without the borders of the state of Iowa, with full power to impose and collect tolls from the users of such bridges for the purpose of providing revenues at least sufficient to pay the cost and incidental expenses of construction and acquisition of said bridges and approaches in both states in which located and for the payment of the principal of and interest on its revenue bonds as authorized by this chapter.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.32]313A.33No obligation of state.Under no circumstances shall any bonds issued under the terms of this chapter be or become or be construed to constitute a debt of or charge against the state of Iowa within the purview of any constitutional or statutory limitation or provision. No taxes, appropriations or other funds of the state of Iowa may be pledged for or used to pay such bonds or the interest thereon, but any such bonds shall be payable solely and only as to both principal and interest from the tolls and revenues derived from the operation of any toll bridge or toll bridges acquired, purchased, or constructed under this chapter, and the sole remedy for any breach or default of the terms of any such bonds or proceedings for their issuance shall be a proceeding either in law or in equity by suit, action or mandamus to enforce and compel performance of the duties required by this chapter and the terms of the resolution under which such bonds are issued.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.33]313A.34Agreements with other states.The director of transportation may, subject to the approval of the state transportation commission, enter into such agreement or agreements with other state highway commissions and the governmental agencies or subdivisions of the state of Iowa or other states and with federal bridge commissions as they shall find necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this chapter, and is authorized to do any and all acts contained in such agreement or agreements that are necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this chapter. Such agreements may include, but shall not be restricted to, the following provisions:1A provision that the department shall assume and have complete responsibility for the operation of such bridges and approaches thereto, and with full power to impose and collect all toll charges from the users of such bridges and to disburse the revenue derived therefrom for the payment of principal and interest on any revenue bonds herein provided for and to carry out the purposes of this chapter.2A provision that the department shall provide for the issuance, sale, exchange or pledge, and payment of revenue bonds payable solely from the revenues derived from the imposition and collection of tolls upon such toll bridges.3A provision that the department, after consultation with the other governmental agencies or subdivisions who are parties to such agreements, shall fix and revise the classifications and amounts of tolls to be charged and collected from the users of the toll bridges, with the further provision that such toll charges shall be removed after all costs of planning, designing, and construction of such toll bridges and approaches thereto and all incidental costs shall have been paid, and all of said revenue bonds, and interest thereon, issued pursuant to this chapter shall have been fully paid and redeemed or funds sufficient therefor have been set aside and pledged for that purpose.4A provision that all acts pertaining to the design and construction of such toll bridges may be done and performed by the department and that any and all contracts for the construction of such toll bridges shall be awarded in the name of the department.5A provision that the state of Iowa and adjoining state and all governmental agencies or subdivisions party to such agreement shall be reimbursed out of the proceeds of the sale of such bonds or out of tolls and revenues as herein allowed for any advances they may have made or expenses they may have incurred for any of the purposes for which said revenue bonds may be issued, after duly verified itemized statements of such advances and expenses have been submitted to and been approved by all parties to such agreement.6A provision for the division of ownership with the adjoining state and for a proportional division of the maintenance costs of the bridge when all outstanding indebtedness or other obligations payable from the revenues of the bridge have been paid.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.34]87 Acts, ch 232, §22313A.35Reserved.313A.36Purposes of powers granted.The exercise of the powers granted by this chapter will be in all respects for the benefit of the people of the state of Iowa, for the increase of their commerce and prosperity and for the improvement of their health and living conditions, and as the acquisition, construction, operation, and maintenance by the department of the projects herein defined will constitute the performance of essential governmental functions, the department shall not be required to pay any taxes or assessments upon such projects or upon any property acquired or used by the department under the provisions of this chapter or upon the income from such projects, and the bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter, their transfer and the income therefrom including any profit made on the sale thereof shall at all times be free from taxation by or within the state of Iowa.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.36]313A.37Failure to pay toll — penalty.Any person who uses any toll bridge and fails or refuses to pay the toll provided therefor shall be guilty of a simple misdemeanor.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.37]313A.38Independent of any other law.This chapter shall be construed as providing an alternative and independent method for the acquisition, purchase, or construction of interstate bridges, for the issuance and sale or exchange of bonds in connection therewith and for refunding bonds pertinent thereto, and for the imposition, collection, and application of the proceeds of tolls and charges for the use of interstate bridges, without reference to any other statute, and shall not be construed as an amendment of or subject to the provisions of any other law, and no publication of any notice, and no other or further proceeding in respect to the issuance or sale or exchange of bonds under this chapter shall be required except such as are prescribed by this chapter, any provisions of other statutes of the state to the contrary notwithstanding.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.38]313A.39Construction.This chapter, being necessary for the public safety and welfare, shall be liberally construed to effectuate the purposes thereof.[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §313A.39]