Michigan Compiled Laws, Chapter 280. Drain Code of 1956 § 280.323

Sec. 323. Before a drain is constructed along a public highway, the drain commissioner or drainage board shall consult with and obtain the written consent of the highway authorities having jurisdiction over the highway, as to the proposed location of the drain and the disposition of all material excavated. Whenever an apportionment is made against a state trunk line highway, the amount of the assessment based on the apportionment shall be paid out of any state transportation funds on hand. On or before December 1 of the year when the assessment is made, the drain commissioner or drainage board shall certify to the state treasurer the amount due from the state to the drainage district by reason of the assessment of benefits, and the state treasurer shall, if satisfied of the correctness of such certificate, cause the certificate to be paid within 30 days thereafter.

If a ditch or drain was constructed prior to 1923 primarily for drainage of private lands, and was constructed along a public highway, and if the records including the original survey of the drain are not of public record nor turned over to the county drain commissioner, or have not been entered in the records of the county drain commissioner as a county drain, then the actual location of the drain shall be sufficient to make the drain comply with the provisions of this act with respect to the location thereof, and the drain shall be a county drain upon compliance with the other provisions of this act with respect to county drains. No proceedings shall be instituted for the widening of the drain or the deepening thereof below its original bottom.