Upon receiving a thirty days’ notice from the commissioners in writing, which notice shall be accompanied by the plans and specifications, of the size and character of such ditch or drain, any railway company, over whose right-of-way or yard such drain or ditch shall be laid out, may perform the work of constructing such ditch or drain across its said right-of-way according to such plans or specifications so furnished, and such railway so constructing such ditch or drain shall receive fair compensation therefor to be allowed by the commissioners of such drainage district and approved by the court; provided, that such railway company may be assessed for benefits derived from such drainage in the same manner and to the same extent as other landowners benefited in the immediate vicinity thereof, are assessed. If such railway company shall fail to commence and proceed with the construction of such ditch or drain as in this section provided, after the notice as herein provided, the commissioners may at any time after the expiration of said thirty days open or cause to be opened such right-of-way or yard along the line of such ditch or drain and construct the same in like manner as such ditch or drain is constructed through the property of individuals, provided, that such construction shall be carried on in such manner as will not interfere with the operation of said railway.