The commissioner may, in connection with a new highway constructed in a town, abandon any highway, or section or appurtenance thereof, in the state highway system no longer conforming with the definitions set out in section 13a-14 or no longer serving the best interest of the state as a part of the state highway system, upon notice to the board of selectmen of the town wherein such highway, or section or appurtenance thereof, is located, and such highway, or section or appurtenance thereof, shall revert to the town unless legally abandoned by it. Before abandonment of any part of the state highway system, the commissioner shall put the same in reasonably good condition, except where the same is no longer useful or necessary for highway purposes. Any town aggrieved by the abandonment of any part of any road, or section or appurtenance thereof, may elect to submit the matter to arbitration as provided in section 13a-17.

(1949 Rev., S. 2231; 1953, S. 1198d; 1958 Rev., S. 13-111; 1961, P.A. 603, S. 7; 1963, P.A. 226, S. 44; 1967, P.A. 235, S. 2.)

History: 1961 act made certain technical changes to conform to creation of the state highway system and allowed abandonment of part of highway system without putting road “in reasonable good condition” when road is “no longer useful or necessary for highway purposes”; 1963 act replaced previous provisions: See title history; 1967 act linked abandonment with new highway construction, replacing provision allowing abandonment with town's consent and provision re town submitting grievance to arbitration.

See Sec. 13a-45 re effective date of transfers and abandonments.

See Sec. 13b-205 re railroad company's authority to take land in discontinued highways.

Cited. 129 C. 83.