Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 58 Part 1.djvu/861

 58 STAT.] 78TH CONG. , 2 D SESS.-CH. 626 -DEC. 20, 1944 vided further, That the entire construction cost of projects for the elimination of hazards of railway-highway crossings, including the separation or protection of grades at crossings, the reconstruction of existing railroad grade crossing structures, and the relocation of highways to eliminate grade crossings, may be paid from Federal funds, except that not more than 50 per centum of the right-of-way and property damage costs, paid from public funds, on any such project, may be paid from Federal funds: Provided further, That not more than 10 per centum of the sums apportioned to any State under the terms of this Act for each of such post-war fiscal years shall be used for such railway-highway projects, to be expended in accord- ance with the Federal Highway Act, as amended and supplemented, and the provisions of this section. (b) Any railway involved in any project for the elimination of hazards of railway-highway crossings paid for in whole or in part from funds made available under this Act, shall be liable to the United States for a sum bearing the same ratio to the net benefit received by such railway from such project that the Federal funds expended on such project bear to the total cost of such project. For the purposes of this subsection, the net benefit received by a railway from any such project shall be deemed to be the amount by which the reasonable value of the total benefits received by it from such project exceeds the amount paid by it (including the reasonable value of any property rights contributed by it) toward the cost of such project; and in no case shall the total benefits to any railway or railways be deemed to have a reasonable value in excess of 10 per centum of the cost of any such project. The liability of any railway to the United States with respect to any such project may be dis- charged by paying to the United States, within six months after the completion of such project, such amount as the Commissioner of Public Roads determines to be the amount of such liability. Any such determination of the Commissioner shall be made on the basis of recommendations made to him by the State highway department and on the basis of such other information and investigation, if any, as the Commissioner deems necessary or proper. If any such railway has failed so to discharge its liability to the United States with respect to any project within six months after the completion thereof the Commissioner of Public Roads shall request the Attorney General to institute proceedings against such railroad for the recovery of the amount for which it is liable under this subsection. The Attorney General is authorized to bring such proceedings on behalf of the United States in the appropriate district court of the United States, and the United States shall be entitled in such proceedings to recover such sums as it is considered and adjudged by the court that such railway is liable for in the premises. Any amounts paid to or recov- ered by the United States under this subsection shall be covered into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. SEC. 6. If the Commissioner of Public Roads shall determine that it is necessary for the expeditious completion of projects undertaken pursuant to this Act, he may advance to any State from funds here- tofore or hereafter made available the Federal share of the cost thereof to enable the State highway department to make prompt payments for work as it progresses: Provided,That such State, after June 30, 1945, does not divert to other than highway uses road user revenues in viola- tion of section 12 of the Highway Act of June 18, 1934. The funds so advanced shall be deposited in a special trust account by the State treasurer, or other State official authorized under the laws of the State to receive Federal-aid highway funds, to be disbursed solely upon vouchers approved by the State highway department for work actually 841 Railway - highway crossings, etc. Exception. Limitation. 42 Stat. 212. 23U.S. C. 1;Spp. IIn, 12 seq. Liability of railway involved in project. Determination of benefits. Discharge of labil- Ity. Basis of determina- tion. Recovery. Oourt p .edings. Advancement to State of Federal share of ost. Improper diversion of road user revenues. 48 Stat. 996. 23U. 8.C. 5. Accmnting.

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