The owners of property abutting the bridge shall be entitled to compensation for damages sustained by reason of the construction thereof or the widening of an existing bridge, and the municipality in which the bridge is constructed or widened shall bear and pay the damages ascertained to property within its limits, which damages may be ascertained in the same manner that damages are ascertained on the change of grade of streets, or the abutting property owners may bring their action at law to recover such damages if brought within one year after the acceptance of the work so completed by the board. The board of chosen freeholders shall not be liable for such damages.