CHAPTER 12. ABANDONMENT OF HIGHWAYS ON STATE LAND

IC 14-18-12
     Chapter 12. Abandonment of Highways on State Land

IC 14-18-12-1
Vacation of highways on land owned by state on June 7, 1937
    
Sec. 1. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), all or part of a public highway, street, or alley, except a state highway, that is located on or inside the boundaries of a state park, state forest, state game preserve, or scenic or historic place owned by the state on June 7, 1937, is vacated.
    (b) If:
        (1) any privately owned land would by the vacation become inaccessible by a public highway; and
        (2) the public highway provides the only public access to and outlet from the land;
the part of the public highway that provides the only public access to and outlet from the privately owned land is not vacated as long as the condition exists.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.11.

IC 14-18-12-2
Vacation of highways on land acquired by state after June 7, 1937
    
Sec. 2. All or part of a public highway, except a state highway, that is located on land acquired by the state after June 7, 1937, and used for:
        (1) a state park;
        (2) a state forest;
        (3) a state game preserve;
        (4) a scenic or historic place; or
        (5) other conservation purpose;
may be vacated as provided in this chapter.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.11.

IC 14-18-12-3
Orders of vacation
    
Sec. 3. (a) Whenever the director determines that the proper operation or administration of:
        (1) a state park;
        (2) a state forest;
        (3) a state game preserve; or
        (4) a scenic or historic place;
necessitates the abandonment of all or part of a public highway, except a state highway, that is located on or within the boundaries of the property, the director may issue an order vacating all or part of the public highway.
    (b) The director shall have a copy of the order posted in five (5) conspicuous places in the township where the public highway is located fifteen (15) days before the order takes effect.
    (c) If any privately owned land would become inaccessible by a public highway due to the order and vacation, as much of the

highway that provides the only public access to and outlet from the land is not vacated as long as the condition exists.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.11.

IC 14-18-12-4
Actions to vacate
    
Sec. 4. Notwithstanding this chapter, the state may bring an action to vacate as much of a public highway as is located in a:
        (1) state park;
        (2) state forest;
        (3) state game preserve; or
        (4) scenic or historic place;
in the same manner as provided by law as of June 7, 1937, for vacation of public highways by any person.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.11.