Every corporation that maintains or uses railroad tracks in any street or highway in any town or city in this state, shall be liable to keep and maintain in good order and repair, including paving and repaving whenever and wherever necessary, that portion of any street or highway occupied by its railroad and eighteen inches (18″) outside of any of its rails, in order that the streets and highways may be safe and convenient for travelers with their vehicles at all times, and the extent of the liability shall not be varied; provided, however, that the character of the paving, repaving, and repairing, shall be such as is from time to time fixed by the town or city councils of the respective towns and cities; and provided, further, that nothing in this section shall relieve any railroad corporation from the payment of any sum of money that it is now required by law to pay to any town or city for the use and occupancy of the streets and highways in the town or city.