                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY (§ 33.2-2206)

The Commission is hereby authorized and empowered to acquire by purchase,
whenever it deems such purchase expedient, solely from funds provided under the
authority of this chapter, such lands, structures, rights-of-way, property,
rights, franchises, easements, and other interests in lands, including lands
lying under water and riparian rights, that are located within the Commonwealth
as it may deem necessary or convenient for the construction and operation of the
project, upon such terms and at such prices as may be considered by it to be
reasonable and can be agreed upon between it and the owner thereof, and to take
title thereto in the name of the District.
		All localities and political subdivisions and all public agencies and
commissions of the Commonwealth, notwithstanding any contrary provision of law,
are hereby authorized and empowered to lease, lend, grant, or convey to the
District at the Commission&#8217;s request upon such terms and conditions as the
proper authorities of such localities, political subdivisions, agencies, or
commissions of the Commonwealth may deem reasonable and fair and without the
necessity for any advertisement, order of court, or other action or formality,
other than the regular and formal action of the authorities concerned, any real
property that may be necessary or convenient to the effectuation of the
authorized purposes of the Commission, including public highways and other real
property already devoted to public use.
		Whenever a reasonable price cannot be agreed upon, or whenever the owner is
legally incapacitated or is absent, unknown, or unable to convey valid title,
the Commission is hereby authorized and empowered to acquire by condemnation or
by the exercise of the power of eminent domain any lands, property, rights,
rights-of-way, franchises, easements, and other property, including public
lands, parks, playgrounds, reservations, highways, or parkways, or parts thereof
or rights therein, of any person, partnership, association, railroad, public
service, public utility or other corporation, municipality, or political
subdivision deemed necessary or convenient for the construction or the efficient
operation of the project or necessary in the restoration of public or private
property damaged or destroyed. Such proceedings shall be in accordance with and
subject to the provisions of any and all laws applicable to condemnation of
property in the name of the Commissioner of Highways under the laws of the
Commonwealth. Title to any property acquired by the Commission shall be taken in
the name of the District. In any condemnation proceedings, the court having
jurisdiction of the suit, action, or proceeding may make such orders as may be
just to the Commission and to the owners of the property to be condemned and may
require an undertaking or other security to secure such owners against any loss
or damage by reason of the failure of the Commission to accept and pay for the
property, but neither such undertaking or security nor any act or obligation of
the Commission shall impose any liability upon the District except as may be
paid from the funds provided under the authority of this chapter.
		If the owner, lessee, or occupier of any property to be condemned refuses to
remove his personal property therefrom or give up possession thereof, the
Commission may proceed to obtain possession in any manner provided by law.
		With respect to any railroad property or right-of-way upon which railroad
tracks are located, any powers of condemnation or of eminent domain may be
exercised to acquire only an easement interest therein, which is located either
sufficiently far above or sufficiently far below the grade of any railroad track
upon such railroad property so that neither the proposed project nor any part
thereof, including any bridges, abutments, columns, supporting structures, and
appurtenances, nor any traffic upon it interferes in any manner with the use,
operation, or maintenance of the trains, tracks, works, or appurtenances or
other property of the railroad nor endanger the movement of the trains or
traffic upon the tracks of the railroad. Prior to the institution of
condemnation proceedings for such easement over or under such railroad property
or right-of-way, plans and specifications of the proposed project showing
compliance with the above-mentioned above or below grade requirements and
showing sufficient and safe plans and specifications of such overhead or
undergrade structure and appurtenances shall be submitted to the railroad for
examination and approval. If the railroad fails or refuses within 30 days to
approve the plans and specifications so submitted, the matter shall be submitted
to the State Corporation Commission, as to the sufficiency and safety of such
plans and specifications and as to such elevations or distances above or below
the tracks. Said overhead or undergrade structure and appurtenances shall be
constructed only in accordance with such plans and specifications and in
accordance with such elevations or distances above or below the tracks so
approved by the railroad or the State Corporation Commission. A copy of the
plans and specifications approved by the railroad or the State Corporation
Commission shall be filed as an exhibit with the petition for condemnation. The
cost of any such overhead or undergrade projects and appurtenances and any
expense and cost incurred in changing, adjusting, relocating, or removing the
lines and grades of such railroad in connection with the project shall be paid
by the Commission as a part of the cost of the project.

HISTORY: 1956, c. 714; 2014, c. 805.