(a) The Department may conduct an investigation of any public or private bridge, causeway, viaduct or other elevated structure which crosses any public highway regardless of the owner or the owners of said bridge, causeway, viaduct or elevated structure and regardless of what government has jurisdiction over it.

(b) If it finds that a public structure set forth in subsection (a) of this section cannot safely withstand vehicles traveling at the speed permissible under the Code, or cannot withstand vehicular gross weights, including carried load, permissible under the Code, the Department shall determine and declare the maximum speed or gross weight, including carried load, or both, of vehicles which such structure can withstand and shall cause or permit signs stating such maximum speed or gross weight, including carried load, to be erected and maintained before the entrance to such structure.

(c) If it finds that a private structure as set forth in subsection (a) of this section cannot withstand the usage to which it is being subjected, the Department shall declare the maximum usage to which the structure can be subjected. The Department shall notify the owner and/or user of the private structure, who shall not permit the maximum safe usage as determined by the Department to be exceeded.

(d) Whoever violates subsection (c) of this section shall be fined not less than $25 nor more than $500, or imprisoned not less than 10 days nor more than 30 days or both.

Code 1852, § 1131; Code 1915, § 1573; 29 Del. Laws, c. 108; 40 Del. Laws, c. 107, § 1; Code 1935, § 1665; 17 Del. C. 1953, § 510; 57 Del. Laws, c. 671, § 4C; 60 Del. Laws, c. 700, § 2.