New York Consolidated Laws, Highway Law - HAY § 131-d. Construction by county of destroyed bridges

If any bridge within a county, or intersected by any boundary line of a county, shall be destroyed by the elements, and the board of supervisors of the county shall deem that the expenses of the construction of a new bridge at or near the site of the bridge so destroyed would be too burdensome upon the town or towns within such county, which would otherwise be liable therefor, the board of supervisors of any such county may provide for the construction and completion of a bridge and all necessary approaches thereto, at or near the site of the bridge so destroyed.  If the bridge so destroyed shall have been constructed by a corporation created under a general law, and the site thereof, and the approaches thereto, or either, shall be the property of such corporation, such board of supervisors may purchase the interest of such corporation, or any other person, in such site or approaches, if such purchase can be accomplished upon reasonable terms;  but if such site or approaches can not be lawfully acquired by such purchase, or otherwise, upon reasonable terms, such board may acquire title to premises on either side of such site, and provide for the construction of a bridge and approaches thereto, at such place, at the expense of the county or of the two counties jointly, as the came   1 may be, provided such bridge shall be so located as not to increase the distance to be traveled upon the highway to reach each end of such bridge more than five rods.  Any board of supervisors providing for the construction of any such bridge may determine by resolution whether the expenses of the maintenance and repair thereof shall thereafter be a county charge, or a charge upon such town or towns.