(1) For the purpose of this section, the words }bridge~, }ferry~, and }ford~, respectively, include such approaches to a bridge, ferry, or ford, and such protection works in connection therewith as may by any notice under this section be defined to be part of the bridge, ferry, or ford.

(2) The Governor may, by notice in the Government Gazette, and in some newspaper circulating in the district, direct that any bridge already constructed or which may hereafter be constructed, and any ferry or ford already established or which may hereafter be established, over or across any river or arm of the sea respectively shall, from and after a date to be fixed in such notice, be under the exclusive care, control, and management of the Minister, or of such local authority as shall be mentioned in that behalf in such notice; and

(3) May by any subsequent notice publicly notified in the same way from time to time vary or alter such care, control, and management; and

(4) May by such notice as aforesaid fix and determine whether all or any, and if so, what part of the cost, whether incurred or to be incurred, of maintaining, repairing, improving, or reconstructing any such bridge, or of managing or maintaining any such ferry or ford, and the machinery and appliances used therewith, is to be provided and paid by any local authority or local authorities (if more than one), and if so, by what local authority or authorities (if more than one); and

(5) May by any such notice as aforesaid direct how, when, and to whom any such payment is to be made; and every payment so directed to be made shall be made as directed by such notice, and unless so made may be deducted from any subsidies or moneys at any time payable by the Crown to such local authority, and may also be recovered in any Court of competent jurisdiction at the suit of the Minister or local authority, as the case may be, as a debt due to the Crown or to the local authority to which such payment ought to be made.

(6) In fixing and apportioning the cost of maintaining, repairing, improving, or constructing any such bridge, or of managing or maintaining any such ferry or ford, and the machinery and appliances used therewith, the Governor shall take into account the net revenue (if any) derived from or incident to the use of such bridge, ferry, or ford by the Minister or by the local authority, as the case may be, having the care, control, management, or maintenance thereof.

(7) If any local authority or authorities shall refuse or neglect to maintain, work, improve, or repair any bridge, ferry, or ford (including the working of swing or lifting-spans in bridges where such have been provided) under its or their care, control, and management, or to reconstruct any such bridge, ferry, or ford when requisite, the Minister may undertake such maintenance, repairs, improvement, or reconstruction in the place of the local authority or local authorities so refusing or neglecting as aforesaid, and may provide for the care, working, and management of such bridge, ford, or ferry, and may recover all costs, charges, and expenses attending or incidental to his so doing from such local authority or local authorities as a debt due to the Crown, in any Court of competent jurisdiction.

(8) In the exercise of the authority conferred upon him by this section, the Minister and any and every person authorized by him shall have all the powers and authorities which under any law are or may be vested in or could be exercised by the local authority or authorities in the place of which the Minister shall be acting.

(9) Any proclamation, instrument, or notice heretofore issued, made, or published, vesting the control of any bridge, ferry, or ford, may be revoked, altered, or varied by the Governor from time to time as he may deem expedient, subject to the provisions of this Act.

[Section 91 amended by No. 31 of 1997 s.51.]