(1) Whenever electors of two (2) or more existing adjoining highway districts desire to consolidate those districts, a petition from each of the districts for consolidation, signed by five percent (5%) or twenty-five (25) electors, whichever is greater, qualified to vote at a highway district election in each of the highway districts, shall be presented to the commissioners of the county in which the highway districts are situated. The petitions shall state the name and, in a general way, describe the highway districts which it is proposed to consolidate.
(2)  A majority of the elected commissioners of each of two (2) or more existing adjoining highway districts may also, on their own initiative, petition the county commissioners, in lieu of a petition as provided in subsection (1) of this section.