Sec. 13a-141. Bridle paths; pedestrian walks; bicycle paths.
Sec. 13a-141. Bridle paths; pedestrian walks; bicycle paths. (a) Upon written
application made to the commissioner in such form as he prescribes, said commissioner
may issue permits to private individuals, corporations or other organizations or to towns
or other public authorities or agencies to construct and maintain, at the expense of the
permittee or permittees, bridle paths, pedestrian walks, bicycle paths and suitable entrances to, and exits from, such walks and paths on the land owned by the state along
any highway maintained by the state. Each such permit shall specify the location of
the proposed walks and paths and entrances and exits which may be constructed and
maintained thereunder. Each such permit may be revoked at any time, with or without
cause, by the commissioner. All construction and maintenance work pursuant to each
such permit shall be subject to the supervision and control of the commissioner or, if
the permittee so desires and said commissioner consents thereto, the funds for such
work may be deposited in advance with the commissioner and the construction and
maintenance work may then be performed by the commissioner to the extent that funds
so deposited will pay for the same, provided, if the work is performed by the commissioner, he shall furnish to the permittee, prior to the commencement of such work, an
estimate of the cost thereof, with specifications of the work to be done. No fee shall be
charged any resident of the state for the use of such walks and paths. If a town or other
public authority or agency requests a permit to construct and maintain such path or walk
the commissioner is authorized to contribute one-half of the cost of construction of such
path or walk from funds available to the Department of Transportation, provided such
town, public authority or agency agrees to assume the maintenance, responsibility, liability and supervision of such path or walk.
(b) When the selectmen of any town discontinue any highway or private way, or
land dedicated as such, pursuant to section 13a-49, they may except from the operation
of such discontinuance and reserve to the town and to the public such rights in such
discontinued highway, private way or land dedicated as such, as may be reasonably
necessary to construct and maintain a bridle path, pedestrian walk or bicycle path. Any
such rights excepted and reserved to a town under this section shall be subject to the
rights of property owners bounding a discontinued highway as are provided in section
13a-55.
(1949 Rev., S. 2244; 1958 Rev., S. 13-130; 1963, P.A. 226, S. 141; 1969, P.A. 643, S. 1; 1972, P.A. 106, S. 1; P.A.
90-310, S. 1.)
History: 1963 act replaced previous provisions: See title history; 1969 act included pedestrian and bicycle walks and
paths in addition to bridle paths; 1972 act added provision re construction and maintenance of walks or paths requested
by town or other public authority or agency; P.A. 90-310 added new Subsec. (b) allowing selectmen to discontinue any
highway or private way for the construction and maintenance of a bridle path, pedestrian walk or bicycle path.
See Sec. 13a-153 re state liability for bridle paths, pedestrian walks and bicycle paths and injuries incurred on them.