Whereas, the Department of Transportation's biennial transportation program takes effect July 21, 2001; and

Whereas, in order for the Department of Transportation's laws to be consistent with the biennial transportation program, this legislation must be an emergency; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 23 MRSA c. 9, sub-c. VII, as amended, is repealed.

Sec. 2. 23 MRSA c. 9, sub-c. IV-A is enacted to read:

SUBCHAPTER IV-A

LOCAL BRIDGES

§561.__Applicability

This subchapter applies to all minor spans and bridges, as those terms are defined in this subchapter, that are located on public ways classified as town ways or state aid highways pursuant to section 53, excluding railroad bridges, bridges over the Maine Turnpike, bridges over interstate highways and bridges over state highways and state aid highways.

§562.__Definitions

As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

1.__Average annual daily traffic.__"Average annual daily traffic" or "AADT" means the average annual daily traffic as determined by the department using accepted engineering practices.

2.__Bridge.__"Bridge" means a structure, including supports, designed principally to carry motor vehicles that is erected over a depression or an obstruction, such as water, a highway or a railway, and has an opening measured along the center of the roadway of more than 20 feet between the undercropping of