27:19-4. Petition for bridge or viaduct in adjoining counties; referendum or resolution

If twenty per cent of the legal voters in each of any adjoining counties believe that the public convenience requires that a viaduct or bridge be constructed and maintained over any ravine, marsh, river or stream separating such counties, or part thereof, and the boards of chosen freeholders have failed and neglected to construct such viaduct or bridge, they may present to the board of chosen freeholders of their respective counties their petition in writing, setting forth the necessity for the viaduct or bridge, the location thereof, and other particulars in regard thereto.

Upon the filing of such petitions with the clerks of the respective boards, duly signed by such voters with their residences set forth opposite their signatures, and requesting a referendum vote on the question of the construction of such viaduct or bridge, the boards of chosen freeholders shall forthwith adopt resolutions that a vote is required upon the question, or may proceed at once with the construction of the viaduct or bridge, or cause it to be constructed, after adopting resolutions providing therefor.

If the boards of chosen freeholders adopt resolutions that a vote is required upon the question, a certified copy of the resolutions shall be forthwith filed with the clerk of each of the counties, who shall, in the manner and form provided by law, place the question upon all the ballots used at the next general election in his county in substantially the following form:

"To vote upon the public question printed below, if in favor thereof mark a cross (X) or plus (+) in the square at the left of the word YES, and if opposed thereto mark a cross (X) or plus (+) in the square at the left of the word NO.

"Shall the board of chosen freeholders of

[ ] YES ......... county, and the board of chosen freeholders

of county construct and maintain a viaduct (or

[ ] NO bridge, as the case may be), at ...................

(set forth location and particulars)?"

If a majority of the legal voters of each county voting at such election, shall vote in favor of the proposition, the boards of chosen freeholders shall forthwith proceed to construct such viaduct or bridge, or cause it to be constructed and thereafter maintain and operate it.