Same; incidental powers

The authority shall have power to construct grade separations at intersections of any turnpike project with public highways and to change and adjust the lines and grades of such highways so as to accommodate the same to the design of such grade separation. The cost of such grade separations and any damage incurred in changing and adjusting the lines and grades of such highways shall be ascertained and paid by the authority as a part of the cost of such turnpike project. If the authority shall find it necessary to change the location of any portion of any public highway, it shall cause the same to be reconstructed at such location as the authority shall deem most favorable and of substantially the same type and in as good condition as the original highway. The cost of such reconstruction and any damage incurred in changing the location of any such highway shall be ascertained and paid by the authority as a part of the cost of such turnpike project: Provided, The authority shall not change the location of any portion of a public highway which is a part of the state highway system without the approval of the secretary of transportation. Any public highway affected by the construction of any turnpike project may be vacated or relocated by the authority in the manner now provided by law for the vacation or relocation of public roads, and any damages awarded on account thereof shall be paid by the authority as a part of the cost of such project. In addition to the foregoing powers the authority and its authorized agents and employees may enter upon any lands, waters and premises in the state for the purpose of making surveys, soundings, drillings and examinations as they may deem necessary or convenient for the purposes of this act, and such entry shall not be deemed a trespass, nor shall an entry for such purposes be deemed an entry under any condemnation proceedings which may be then pending. The authority shall make reimbursement for any actual damage resulting to such lands, waters and premises as a result of such activities. The authority shall also have power to make reasonable regulations for the installation, construction, maintenance, repair, renewal, relocation and removal of tracks, pipes, mains, conduits, cables, wires, towers, poles and other equipment and appliances (herein called "transmission facilities") of any public utility, pipeline company or pipeline operator in, on, along, over or under any turnpike project. Whenever the authority shall determine that it is necessary that any such transmission facilities which now are, or hereafter may be, located in, on, along, over or under any turnpike project, should be relocated in such turnpike project, or should be removed from such turnpike project, the owner or operator of such facilities shall relocate or remove the same in accordance with the order of the authority: Provided, however, That the cost and expenses of such relocation or removal, including the cost of installing such facilities in a new location or new locations, and the cost of any lands, or any rights or interests in lands, and any other rights, acquired to accomplish such relocation or removal, shall be ascertained and paid by the authority as a part of the cost of such turnpike project. In case of any such relocation or removal of facilities, the owner or operator of the same, their successors or assigns, may maintain and operate such facilities, with the necessary appurtenances, in the new location or new locations, for as long a period, and upon the same terms and conditions, as they had the right to maintain and operate such facilities in their former location or locations. The authority shall also have power to enter into contracts with any landowners for the construction and maintenance of underpasses and bridges under and across any turnpike project running across or through such landowner's land. The state hereby consents to the use of all lands owned by it, including lands lying under water, which are deemed by the authority to be necessary for the construction or operation of any turnpike project.