The legislative authority of a municipal corporation may direct the manner in which the expense of lighting a bridge or railway shall be assessed and collected. When so assessed, the amount shall be a debt due against and payable by the person, company, or corporation owning, possessing, or operating such bridge or railway, and shall be a lien, to be enforced as any other lien, on such bridge and the land on which it is built, or upon the real estate of the railway company or leasehold interest within the county in which such municipal corporation is located.
The charge for the expense of such lighting may be collected or the lien enforced in the manner provided for the assessment of damages and expenses for making public improvements.