Sec. 13a-58. Public hearing on proposed layout.
Sec. 13a-58. Public hearing on proposed layout. When the Commissioner of
Transportation proposes to build any new state highway over any land within the state,
if the land to be taken is not along an existing highway, said commissioner shall hold
a public hearing at which time he shall set forth the route and any alternative routes
along which such highway is proposed, giving notice of the time and place of such
hearing by publication in a newspaper having a substantial circulation in each town,
city or borough affected, at least twice, at intervals of not less than two days, the first
not more than fifteen days nor less than ten days and the second not less than two days
before such hearing. A copy of the map showing the proposed layout and any alternative
layouts of such highway shall be delivered to the town clerk who shall display such map
for public inspection, at least ten days before such hearing, in the office of the clerk of
each town, city or borough in which the highway is located. Such public hearing shall
be held in some town or city to be selected by the commissioner wherein the majority
in area of the land to be taken is located. At such hearing the commissioner shall show
the proposed layout and any alternative layouts and state the reason for the selection of
such route, and any persons who are opposed to such layout or route shall be heard and
may state their reasons therefor. All expenses of such hearing shall be borne by the
Department of Transportation. Upon the completion of such hearing, a consideration
of all the evidence relevant to the selection of such route and the objections thereto shall
be made, and said commissioner may make such changes as he deems to be in the public
interest. If five years elapses from the date of such hearing and none of the land proposed
to be used for such highway has been taken by the state, the commissioner shall hold a
new public hearing in the manner provided for in this section.
(1957, P.A. 513; 1958 Rev., S. 13-113; 1963, P.A. 226, S. 58; 1967, P.A. 44, S. 1; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 78; 1971, P.A.
601; P.A. 78-2.)
History: 1963 act replaced previous provisions: See title history; 1967 act clarified provision re filing of maps for public
inspection by specifying that maps be delivered to town clerk and that he display them; 1969 act substituted commissioner
and department of transportation for state highway department; 1971 act added requirement that new public hearing be
held if five years elapse without state's taking action; P.A. 78-2 included alternative routes and alternative layouts in
provisions of section.
Unreasonable delay by highway commissioner in taking after filing of a map subjects him to additional damages
resulting therefrom after the effective date of section 13a-76a. 158 C. 452.