State Codes and Statutes

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§  10. General powers and duties of the commissioner of transportation  relating to highways. The commissioner of transportation shall:    1. Have general supervision of all  highways  and  bridges  which  are  constructed,  improved  or  maintained in whole or in part by the aid of  state moneys.    2. Cause surveys, maps, plans, specifications and estimates to be made  for the improvement, construction and maintenance of state highways.    2-a. In  consultation  with  the  commissioner  of  commerce  and  the  commissioner   of  parks  and  recreation,  cause  the  preparation  and  distribution of a highway map for the state, including but  not  limited  to a representation of the state highway system, the thruway system, the  principal  bikeways and highway systems of the municipalities within the  state. Such map shall be  intended  to  facilitate  travel  and  promote  tourism  throughout  the  state,  and  shall  not  be  admissible in any  proceeding as proof of ownership, location or condition of the  highways  represented thereon.    3.  Cause investigations and reconnaissance surveys to be made for the  purpose  of  ascertaining  and  determining   the   practicability   and  feasibility  of  extensions  to  the  system  of  state  highways by the  construction of possible branches or cut-offs from  state  highways  for  the  purpose  of affording by-passes around cities, villages and hamlets  of the state to relieve traffic congestion therein,  and  also  for  the  construction  of  additional  routes  to  relieve  traffic congestion on  present  main  routes.  The   expense   of   such   investigations   and  reconnaissance  surveys shall be a proper charge against funds available  for the construction, reconstruction or maintenance of state highways.    4. Approve and determine the final plans, specifications and estimates  for state highways and cause a contract to be let for  the  construction  or improvement of same after due advertisement.    5.  Direct  and  cause to be made such repairs of state highways as he  deems necessary, within the estimates and appropriations made therefor.    6. Cause an inspection and examination to be made of all work on state  highways.    7. Annually cause to be inspected all  improved  state  highways,  and  shall  require a complete report of such inspection which shall show the  condition of the highway inspected, the necessary work to  be  performed  in  the  repair and maintenance of such highways, and the estimated cost  thereof.    8. Approve and certify to the monthly estimates of allowances for work  being performed under any contract let for the construction, improvement  or maintenance of state highways.    9. Prescribe rules and regulations not inconsistent with  law,  fixing  the duties of county and town superintendents in respect to all highways  and  bridges and determining the method of the construction, improvement  or maintenance of such highways and bridges. Such rules and  regulations  shall,  before  taking effect, be printed and transmitted to the highway  officers affected thereby.    9-a. Prescribe rules and regulations not inconsistent with law, fixing  the duties of county and town superintendents, in respect to  oil  spill  control,  pursuant  to  authority  given the commissioner in section one  hundred seventy-seven of the navigation law.    10. Compel compliance with laws, rules  and  regulations  relating  to  highways  and  bridges  by  highway  officers  and see that the same are  carried into full force and effect.    11. Aid  county  and  town  superintendents  in  establishing  grades,  preparing  suitable  systems  of drainage and advise with them as to the  construction, improvement and maintenance of highways and bridges.12. Investigate  and  determine  upon  the  various  methods  of  road  construction  adapted  to different sections of the state, and as to the  best methods of construction and maintenance of highways and bridges.    13.  Compile statistics relating to the public highways throughout the  state, and collect such information in regard thereto as he  shall  deem  expedient.    14.  Cause  public meetings to be held whenever he deems it advisable,  in each district or county, for the purpose of furnishing  such  general  information   and  instructions  as  may  be  necessary,  regarding  the  construction, improvement or maintenance of the highways and bridges and  the application of the highway law, and the rules and regulations of the  department, and also for the purpose of  hearing  complaints.  He  shall  notify  the county engineer or county superintendent of his intention to  hold such meeting  or  meetings,  specifying  the  date  and  the  place  thereof.    15.  Prepare  tables  showing the total number of miles of highways in  the state, by town and county, and file a copy of the same in the office  of the comptroller.    16. Aid at all times in promoting highway improvement  throughout  the  state,  and  perform  such  other  duties  and have such other powers in  respect to highways and bridges as may be imposed or conferred on him by  law.    17. When the corners of the boundaries of counties,  cities,  villages  and  subdivision  lots  of towns shall have been located, as provided in  subdivision ten of section one hundred and  two  of  this  chapter,  the  commissioner  shall  cause  a monument to be accurately set at each such  corner, except in cases where the improvement of such  highway  or  road  has  been completed prior to the location of such corners as provided in  such subdivision. Such monuments shall be of some durable  material  and  shall  be  so  set  that  the  top  thereof shall be on a level with the  surface of such improved highway or road. The cost and expense  of  such  monuments and the setting of the same shall be a state charge.    18. Include in his annual report to the legislature a statement of the  condition  of  the highways and bridges, the progress of the improvement  and maintenance of state highways, county roads and town  highways,  the  amount  of  moneys  received and expended during the year, upon highways  and bridges and such matters, as in his judgment, should be  brought  to  the  attention  of  the legislature, together with recommendations as to  such measures in relation to highways as the public interests require.    19. During the construction or improvement of a state highway, if such  highway be closed to the traveling public and another  existing  highway  is  caused  to  be  used  in  lieu  of the closed highway as provided in  section one hundred  and  four  of  this  chapter,  provide,  erect  and  maintain a sufficient number of detour signs so that the temporary route  or  detour  shall be clearly indicated throughout its entire length, and  upon the discontinuance of said temporary route or detour,  shall  cause  such  signs to be removed, and the cost of all thereof shall be paid out  of  any  funds  available   for   the   construction,   improvement   or  reconstruction of state highways.    20.  Whenever  the  construction  or improvement of a state highway or  section thereof under a  contract  shall  be  completed  and  the  final  payment  therefor  shall have been made, prepare a statement of the cost  of such construction or  improvement,  including  engineering  expenses,  inspection  and  all  charges  and expenses properly chargeable thereto,  showing in detail the date of each payment, and the purpose  and  amount  of such payment. Such payments shall be grouped as far as practicable by  dates  and  the  total  thus  obtained  shall be deemed the cost of such  construction or improvement.21. Provide for the separation of highway-railroad crossings at  grade  under  the  act  known by the short title of "grade crossing elimination  act." He shall also provide for such work as he is authorized to perform  under the provisions of the railroad law, and the portion of the cost of  such work which is payable by the state under section ninety-four of the  railroad  law  shall  be  paid  out  of  any  funds  available  for  the  construction, improvement or reconstruction of state highways.    22. Provide for  the  construction  of  sidewalks  adjacent  to  state  highways  outside of cities and incorporated villages, when he is of the  opinion the  same  are  necessary.  He  shall  have  full  authority  to  determine the type, width, location with respect to the highway, and the  general  construction  details  of  such  sidewalks. The expense of such  construction shall be a proper charge against funds  available  for  the  construction, reconstruction or maintenance of state highways.    23.  Provide  for  the  installation and maintenance of lights on such  state highways as he is of the opinion are  necessary.  The  expense  of  such installation and maintenance shall be a proper charge against funds  available  for  the construction, reconstruction or maintenance of state  highways.    24. Have power, whenever such commissioner of transportation deems  it  is  necessary  as  a  result  of work of construction, reconstruction or  maintenance of state highways, to provide at the expense  of  the  state  for  the  removal,  relocation,  replacement and reconstruction of water  mains, sewer pipes, communication systems, fire  alarm  systems,  street  lighting,  traffic control systems and any other similar facilities that  are owned by any municipality and are maintained for public use  and  to  participate  in  the expense of the removal, relocation, replacement and  reconstruction of all other types of facilities or  parts  thereof  that  are  owned  by  any  municipality and are maintained for public use, the  state's share of such expense not to exceed the appraised value of  such  facilities  or  parts  thereof, as the case may be, as determined by the  commissioner  of  transportation.  However,  in  connection   with   any  federally funded highway project, the commissioner of transportation may  agree  to  pay  an  amount not to exceed the state's share, based on its  proportionate share of the cost of the entire highway  project,  of  the  functional  replacement cost of any of the aforesaid facilities owned by  any  municipal  corporation,  school  district,  board  of   cooperative  educational  services,  public benefit corporation or any other state or  municipal governmental agency where the federal government agrees to pay  its share of such functional replacement cost, which shall be  based  on  its  proportionate share of the cost of the entire project. If such work  requires additional property or if it is necessary that  the  relocation  of  such  facilities  be  made  to  other  property, he may acquire such  property as may be necessary for the purposes of  this  subdivision,  in  the same manner as other property is acquired for state highway purposes  pursuant to this chapter, and he may enter into a written agreement with  the  municipality  involved  to convey such property as deemed necessary  for the purposes of this  subdivision  to  such  municipality  on  terms  beneficial  to  the  state.  The  expense  of  such removal, relocation,  replacement and reconstruction or the state's share thereof, as the case  may be, shall be  a  proper  charge  against  funds  available  for  the  construction,  reconstruction or maintenance of state highways, and such  work may be performed by contract in the same  manner  as  provided  for  state  highways  in  article  three  of  this chapter, or, by the use of  departmental forces and equipment and of materials  purchased  therefor.  However,  if  the  commissioner  of transportation deems it to be in the  interest of the public, he may contract with the municipality, upon such  terms as he may deem advantageous  to  the  state,  to  have  such  workperformed  (a)  by  the  employment  of  the  forces  and the use of the  equipment of such municipality and by the use of any material on hand or  necessary to be purchased by such municipality  or  (b)  by  such  other  method  as such commissioner of transportation shall approve or (c) by a  combination of the  methods  provided  in  this  subdivision.  Any  such  municipality  is  hereby  authorized to enter into such contract for the  purposes of this subdivision. In all  cases  pursuant  to  this  section  where  the  state  is to pay part of the expense of removal, relocation,  replacement and reconstruction of any facilities  that  are  municipally  owned  and  that  are  maintained  for  public  use, the commissioner of  transportation, if he deems it in the best interest of  the  state,  may  offer  to  remove,  relocate, replace or reconstruct such facilities and  may  prepare  plans,  specifications  and  estimates  of  cost  of  such  projects,  together  with  an estimate of the share of the expense to be  borne by the municipality, which shall be  submitted  to  the  governing  board  of  such  municipality.  If the municipality approves such plans,  specifications and estimates of cost and share of the expense, it  shall  by  resolution  appropriate  the funds necessary to pay its share of the  expense. A certified copy of the resolution  shall  be  filed  with  the  commissioner  of  transportation  and with the state comptroller and the  funds shall, prior to the award of  a  contract,  be  deposited  by  the  municipality  with  the  state  comptroller  subject  to  the  draft  or  requisition of the commissioner of transportation. Upon  the  completion  and  acceptance  of  the work such facilities shall be maintained by the  municipality. As used in this subdivision, the term "municipality" shall  include a public water authority.    24-a. Have power, whenever such commissioner of  transportation  deems  it  is  necessary as a result of work of construction, reconstruction or  maintenance of state highways to provide for  the  removal,  relocation,  replacement  and  reconstruction  of any facilities of the United States  government. The expense of such  removal,  relocation,  replacement  and  reconstruction  shall be a proper charge against funds available for the  construction, reconstruction or maintenance of state highways, and  such  work  may  be  performed  by contract in the same manner as provided for  state highways in article three of  this  chapter,  or  by  the  use  of  departmental  forces  and equipment and of materials purchased therefor.  Upon the completion and acceptance of the work  done  pursuant  to  this  subdivision  such  facilities  shall  be maintained by the United States  government.    24-b. Have power, whenever such commissioner of  transportation  deems  it  is  necessary as a result of work of construction, reconstruction or  maintenance of state highways, to provide for the  removal,  relocation,  replacement  or  reconstruction  of privately, publicly or cooperatively  owned water, storm and sewer lines and facilities,  facilities  for  the  transmission  and/or distribution of communications, power, electricity,  light, heat, gas, crude products, steam and other  similar  commodities,  municipal  utility  facilities, or facilities of a corporation organized  pursuant to the transportation corporations  law  that  are  located  on  privately  owned  property. If such work requires additional property or  if it is necessary that the relocation of such  facilities  be  made  to  other property, he may acquire such property as may be necessary for the  purposes  of  this  subdivision, in the same manner as other property is  acquired for state highway purposes pursuant to this chapter, and he and  the owner of such facilities may  enter  into  a  written  agreement  to  convey  such  property  as  deemed  necessary  for  the purposes of this  subdivision to such owner on terms beneficial to the state. The  expense  of  such  removal, relocation, replacement or reconstruction and cost of  property acquisition shall be a proper charge  against  funds  availablefor  the  construction, reconstruction or maintenance of state highways.  Except when  such  facilities  are  owned  by  a  corporation  organized  pursuant  to  the  transportation  corporations  law,  the  work of such  removal, relocation, replacement or reconstruction shall be performed by  contract  in  the  same manner as provided for state highways in article  three of this chapter,  or,  by  the  use  of  departmental  forces  and  equipment  and  of materials purchased therefor, unless the commissioner  of transportation consents  to  having  the  owner  of  such  facilities  provide  for  the  work  of  such  removal,  relocation,  replacement or  reconstruction. In the  case  where  such  facilities  are  owned  by  a  corporation  organized  pursuant to the transportation corporations law,  the work of such  removal,  relocation,  replacement  or  reconstruction  shall  be  provided for by such corporation unless it consents to having  the commissioner of transportation provide for such work to be performed  by  contract,  in  accordance  with  specifications  provided  by   such  corporation,  in  the  same  manner  as  provided  for state highways in  article three of this chapter, or, by the use of departmental forces and  equipment and of materials purchased therefor. Upon  the  completion  of  the work, such facilities shall be maintained by the owners thereof.    In  the  event  that the commissioner of transportation, in connection  with the work of construction, reconstruction or  maintenance  of  state  highways,  encounters  such facilities, other than facilities owned by a  corporation organized pursuant to the transportation corporations law or  operating as a transportation corporation that are  located  within  the  highway  right-of-way,  he  may  provide  for  the  removal, relocation,  replacement  or  reconstruction  of  such  facilities  as  he  deems  it  necessary.  To  the extent the commissioner determines it equitable, the  expense of such removal, relocation, replacement or reconstruction shall  be a  proper  charge  against  funds  available  for  the  construction,  reconstruction   or  maintenance  of  state  highways  pursuant  to  the  provisions of this subdivision, and such  work  shall  be  performed  by  contract  in  the  same manner as provided for state highways in article  three of this chapter,  or,  by  the  use  of  departmental  forces  and  equipment  and  of materials purchased therefor, unless the commissioner  of transportation consents  to  having  the  owner  of  such  facilities  provide  for  the  work  of  such  removal,  relocation,  replacement or  reconstruction. In the event that  the  commissioner  of  transportation  determines prior to undertaking such removal, relocation, replacement or  reconstruction  that the owner of such facilities is responsible for all  or any portion of such expense he shall enter into a  written  agreement  with  such  owner, for the purpose of providing funding, and the deposit  with the state comptroller of  such  funds  as  are  determined  by  the  commissioner  to  be sufficient to provide for such owner's share of the  expenses. The state comptroller is authorized to receive and accept such  funds subject to  a  draft  or  requisition  from  the  commissioner  of  transportation.  If  the  funds deposited with the state comptroller are  subsequently determined by the commissioner to be insufficient  to  meet  such owner's share, the owner shall in every case be responsible for any  balance  due.  When  such  work  has been completed, the commissioner of  transportation shall render an accounting to the owner, and any  surplus  moneys  shall be paid to such owner, without interest, on the warrant of  the comptroller on vouchers therefor approved  by  the  commissioner  of  transportation.  Upon  completion  of the work, such facilities shall be  maintained by the owners thereof.    In the event that the commissioner of  transportation,  in  connection  with  the  work  of construction, reconstruction or maintenance of state  highways, encounters such facilities of a corporation organized pursuant  to the transportation corporations law or operating as a  transportationcorporation  that  are located within the highway right-of-way, he shall  provide compensation for the fair and reasonable cost  of  the  removal,  relocation,  replacement  or  reconstruction of such facilities provided  the following conditions are met:    (a) the project for which such facilities are to be removed, relocated  or  replaced  or  reconstructed must be federally funded and the cost of  such removal, relocation, replacement or reconstruction are  a  part  of  the approved project cost by the appropriate federal authorities; and    (b)  such  compensation shall be provided only: (i) for the interstate  category of projects; and (ii) for the other categories of projects only  when a specific appropriation has been made for such purpose; and    (c) for those  categories  for  which  compensation  is  provided  the  commissioner of transportation shall reimburse the corporation at a rate  not  less than the rate of reimbursement as the state shall receive from  the federal government; and    (d) such corporation enters into an agreement with the commissioner of  transportation in connection  with  undertaking  the  work  of  removal,  relocation, replacement or reconstruction which shall specify the amount  or  the basis of compensation that is to be provided toward the fair and  reasonable  cost   of   such   removal,   relocation,   replacement   or  reconstruction.    The  fair and reasonable cost of such removal, relocation, replacement  or reconstruction shall mean the  amount  paid  by  such  a  corporation  properly   attributable   to  the  work  of  such  removal,  relocation,  replacement  or  reconstruction  of  such  facilities  after   deducting  therefrom  any  betterment incorporated into the new facilities plus the  salvage value and depreciation from the old facility determined  by  the  established  methods  utilized by the state. Nothing in this subdivision  shall be construed to grant to the  owner  of  such  private  facilities  within the highway right-of-way any greater or new rights, other than as  provided herein, to compensation for removals, relocations, replacements  or  reconstructions  of  such  facilities  in  connection  with  work of  construction, reconstruction  or  maintenance  of  state  highways  that  existed prior to the effective date of the amendment to this subdivision  and  compensation  to  be paid hereunder is strictly limited as provided  herein.    24-c. Have power, whenever such commissioner of  transportation  deems  it  necessary  as  a  result  of  work  of construction, reconstruction,  improvement or maintenance of state highways, including  the  separation  of  highway-railroad  crossings,  pursuant  to  this  chapter,  and  the  construction or reconstruction of highway-railroad crossings  at  grade,  to  provide  for  the  removal,  relocation, replacement, alteration and  reconstruction of railroad facilities normally used for the  maintenance  and   operation   of   the   railroad  and  including  tracks,  signals,  communication  lines,  electrical  lines,  sewer  lines,  water   lines,  buildings, structures and their appurtenances. Such removal, relocation,  replacement, alteration or reconstruction of facilities may be performed  on  property  of  the railroad company. If such work requires additional  property or if it is necessary that the consequential relocation of such  facilities be made to other property, he may acquire  such  property  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  purposes  of this subdivision, in the same  manner as other property is acquired for state highway purposes pursuant  to this chapter, and he may enter into  a  written  agreement  with  the  owner  of the railroad lands to convey such property as deemed necessary  for the purposes of this subdivision to such owner on  terms  beneficial  to  the  state.  The  expense  of such removal, relocation, replacement,  alteration or reconstruction and right of way  acquisition  shall  be  a  proper   charge   against   funds   available   for   the  construction,reconstruction, improvement or maintenance of state highways,  and  such  work  may  be  performend by contract in the same manner as provided for  state highways in article three of this  chapter,  or,  by  the  use  of  departmental  forces  and equipment and of materials purchased therefor.  However, if the commissioner of transportation deems it  to  be  in  the  interest  of  the  public,  he may contract with the railroad, upon such  terms as he may deem advantageous  to  the  state,  to  have  such  work  performed  (a)  by  the  employment  of  the  forces  and the use of the  equipment of such railroad and by the use of any  material  on  hand  or  necessary  to  be purchased by such railroad or (b) by such other method  as such commissioner  of  transportation  shall  approve  or  (c)  by  a  combination  of  the  methods provided in this subdivision. In the event  that the commissioner of transportation and the railroad are  unable  to  agree upon the terms of such contract, the commissioner shall notify the  railroad,  in  writing,  of  his  intent to issue an order directing the  railroad to have such work performed as required of its  forces  and  to  permit  entry  upon  railroad  lands  of  employees  and  agents  of the  department of transportation in  order  to  perform  such  work  as  the  commissioner  of transportation shall deem necessary. The railroad shall  have thirty days after the receipt of such notification in which it  may  request  a  hearing  before  the  commissioner  of  transportation.  The  commissioner of transportation shall give the  railroad  notice  of  not  less  than ten days of the time and place scheduled for such hearing. If  a hearing is not requested or if, after such hearing is held,  agreement  between  the  parties is not reached, the commissioner of transportation  may issue such order directing the railroad to have such work performed.  Such order shall require the railroad to submit an estimate of the  cost  of  work  required  of  its  forces  including the material necessary to  perform  such  work,  which  cost,  subject  to  the  approval  of   the  commissioner  of  transportation,  shall  be  reimbursed by the state in  accordance with the terms of such order. Such order shall  also  include  terms  protecting the railroad in the safe and uninterrupted maintenance  and operation of said railroad during the performance  of  any  work  on  railroad   lands   by   employees   and  agents  of  the  department  of  transportation, if their entry upon railraod  lands  for  such  work  is  deemed  necessary  by  the commissioner of transportation as hereinabove  provided. Upon the completion and acceptance of the work such facilities  shall be owned and maintained by the railroad.    24-d. Have power, whenever such commissioner of  transportation  deems  it  is  necessary as a result of work of construction, reconstruction or  maintenance of state highways, to provide for  the  re-establishment  of  private  access  to  a  public  road  where  such access is destroyed by  acquisition of right of way for the project. If such re-establishment of  private access requires additional property or if it is  necessary  that  such  re-establishment  of  private access be made to other property, he  may acquire such property as may be necessary for the purposes  of  this  subdivision,  in the same manner as other property is acquired for state  highway purposes pursuant to this chapter,  and  he  may  enter  into  a  written  agreement  with the owner of such private access to convey such  property as deemed necessary for the purposes  of  this  subdivision  to  such  owner  on  terms  beneficial  to  the  state.  The expense of such  re-establishment of private access shall  be  a  proper  charge  against  funds  available  for the construction, reconstruction or maintenance of  state highways, and such work may be performed by contract in  the  same  manner  as provided for state highways in article three of this chapter,  or, by the use of departmental forces and  equipment  and  of  materials  purchased  therefor,  or  by  a  combination  of  such methods. Upon thecompletion of the work, such  re-established  private  access  shall  be  maintained by the owners thereof.    25.  Have  power  to combine, connect, alter, relocate, terminate, and  pave intersecting highways, roads or streets  and  to  provide  drainage  therefor;  to divert traffic from an existing highway, road or street to  an existing or a new highway, road or street, and to  provide,  when  he  deems  it  to  be  in  the  interest  of  public  safety, for a suitable  structure or structures across highways to accommodate  at  an  adjusted  grade the continuity of such highways, roads or streets by an under-pass  or  over-pass,  and  to adjust grades and traffic to such structures; to  plan, designate, construct, alter, improve and vacate frontage, marginal  and service roads, in connection with the development of any  controlled  access  facility;  and  to acquire such property as may be necessary for  the purposes of this subdivision, in the same manner as  other  property  is  acquired  for  state  highway purposes pursuant to this chapter. The  cost of the work and of the acquisition of property as provided in  this  subdivision  shall  be  a  proper charge against funds available for the  construction, reconstruction or improvement of state highways. Any  such  frontage,  marginal  or service road or portion of intersecting highway,  road or  street  upon  which  such  work  is  completed  shall,  if  not  determined  by  the  commissioner  of transportation to be a part of the  state  highway  system,  be  maintained  by  the  municipality  or   the  municipalities  in which such frontage, marginal or service road or such  portion of intersecting highway, road or street is located, except  that  if the intersecting highway, road or street or the frontage, marginal or  service  road  is  under the jurisdiction of an authority, commission or  other public agency, said portion thereof shall, if  not  determined  by  the  commissioner  of  transportation  to be a part of the state highway  system, be maintained as  determined  jointly  by  the  commissioner  of  transportation  and  the  chairman  or  chief  executive  officer of the  authority, commission or other public agency.    26. Provide for  the  separation  of  highway-railroad  crossings  and  construction  of  highway-railroad  crossings  at  grade  where  in  the  construction or reconstruction of any part of the state highway  system,  or  county  roads  with federal-aid, or where highways, roads or streets  are combined, connected, altered or relocated pursuant to this  section,  an additional crossing of a railroad is made at a place where no highway  grade  crossing  exists.  In  the  discretion  of  the  commissioner  of  transportation,   and   in   connection   with   the   construction   or  reconstruction  of any part of the state highway system, a structure may  be constructed to eliminate an existing crossing at grade of a  railroad  and  a  state highway or of a railroad and a highway which intersects or  closely parallels a state highway. The  commissioner  of  transportation  may  also,  in connection with the construction or reconstruction of any  part of the state highway system,  or  county  roads  with  federal-aid,  provide  for  the reconstruction of existing highway-railroad separation  structures or highway-railroad crossings at grade on  any  part  of  the  state  highway  system,  or  on  county  roads  with  federal-aid, or on  highways, roads or streets combined, connected,  altered,  or  relocated  pursuant to this section.    The   cost  of  construction  or  reconstruction  of  such  separation  facilities or grade crossings,  including  the  cost  of  such  crossing  protection as is ordered by the commissioner of transportation, shall be  a  proper  charge  against  funds  available  for  the  construction  or  reconstruction of state highways or county roads.    Notwithstanding the provisions of section ninety-three of the railroad  law, structures hereafter constructed or reconstructed pursuant to  this  subdivision to separate the grade of railroads and any part of the statehighway  system  shall  be  maintained upon completion as follows: (a) A  structure and its supports which carries railroad tracks over the  state  highway  shall  be  maintained  and  repaired  by the operating railroad  corporation  or  corporations.  (b)  A  structure and its supports which  carries a state highway over railroad tracks  shall  be  maintained  and  repaired  by  the  state.  This maintenance provision shall not apply to  structures  constructed  or  reconstructed  pursuant  to  section  three  hundred forty-b, three hundred forty-d and three hundred forty-nine-c of  this chapter.    26-a.  Have  power, whenever such commissioner of transportation deems  it to be in the best interest of the state, in connection with work upon  certain bridges for which  the  maintenance  responsibility  is  divided  between  the  state  and  a  railroad  corporation,  where  such work is  authorized pursuant to this chapter or the transportation law  and  upon  the   request   of   the   railroad  corporation,  to  provide  for  the  reconstruction,  repair  or  alteration  of  bridge  structures,  bridge  supports,  bridge  approaches  or  any  other bridge parts which are the  maintenance responsibility of such railroad corporation. The expense  of  such reconstruction, repair or alteration shall be borne entirely by the  railroad   corporation  except  so  much  thereof  as  would  constitute  compensable  damages  under  any  provision   of   law.   Whenever   the  commissioner  of  transportation  shall  approve  such  a  request  of a  railroad corporation, he shall, with the  assistance  of  such  railroad  corporation,  make  an  estimate  of  the  cost  of the work which he is  requested  to  perform  in  accordance  with  plans  and  specifications  submitted  to him by the railroad corporation. Such railroad corporation  shall thereupon deposit with the state comptroller, who is authorized to  receive and accept the same for the purposes of this subdivision, a  sum  equal  to  such  estimate and subject to the draft or requisition of the  commissioner of transportation. If at any time during the course of  the  work  the  commissioner of transportation deems the sum submitted by the  railroad corporation to be insufficient to meet anticipated costs of the  work, he shall notify  the  railroad  corporation  of  such  anticipated  deficiency,  whereupon  the  railroad corporation shall deposit with the  state comptroller, who is authorized to  receive  and  accept  the  same  subject   to   the   draft   or   requisition  of  the  commissioner  of  transportation, such additional  sum  as  is  deemed  necessary  by  the  commissioner  of transportation to meet anticipated costs. When the work  authorized by this subdivision has been completed  the  commissioner  of  transportation  shall  render  to  the  railroad corporation an itemized  statement showing in  full  (a)  the  amount  of  money  that  has  been  deposited  by  such  railroad  corporation with the state comptroller as  hereinbefore provided, and (b) all disbursements made pursuant  to  this  subdivision  including  a  proportionate  charge  for  engineering.  Any  surplus money shall  be  paid  to  such  railroad  corporation,  without  interest,  on  the  warrant  of  the  comptroller  on  vouchers therefor  approved by the commissioner of transportation.    26-b. Have power, whenever the commissioner of transportation deems it  in the best interests of the  state  to  do  so  and  with  the  written  permission  of  the railroad corporation charged with the responsibility  for  maintaining  such  structure,  in  connection  with   construction,  reconstruction  or  maintenance  of  state  highways, to provide for the  removal  and  disposition,  on  terms  beneficial  to  the   state,   of  highway-railroad grade separation structures which are no longer used or  useful for railroad purposes.    27. Have power, upon the request of a municipality, to perform for and  at  the  expense  of  such  municipality,  any  work  of construction or  reconstruction, including the  removal  and  relocation  of  facilities,provided  the  commissioner  of  transportation  deems it practicable to  perform  such  work  for  such  municipality  in  connection  with   the  performance  of  any work of construction, reconstruction or improvement  under  the  provisions  of  this  chapter.  Whenever the commissioner of  transportation shall approve such a request of a municipality, he  shall  make  an  estimate of the cost of the work which he is requested by such  municipality to perform in  accordance  with  plans  and  specifications  submitted  to  him by such municipality, which cost estimates, plans and  specifications shall be approved by the municipality in  writing  before  the commissioner of transportation shall proceed with any such municipal  work.   Such   municipality  shall  thereupon  deposit  with  the  state  comptroller, who is authorized to receive and accept the  same  for  the  purposes  of  this subdivision, a sum equal to such estimate and subject  to the draft or  requisition  of  the  commissioner  of  transportation.  Provided,  however,  that nothing contained in this subdivision shall be  construed to prevent the commissioner of transportation from  proceeding  with   the   state   work,  incorporating  the  work  requested  by  the  municipality in accordance with cost estimates, plans and specifications  approved by such municipality, if he determines it to be  necessary  and  in  the best interest of the state to do so. When the work authorized by  this subdivision has been completed and the cost thereof shall have been  paid by the state, the commissioner of transportation  shall  render  to  the governing body of such municipality an itemized statement showing in  full   (a)  the  amount  of  money  that  has  been  deposited  by  such  municipality with the state comptroller as  hereinbefore  provided,  and  (b)  all  disbursements  made  pursuant to this subdivision. Any surplus  money shall  be  paid  to  such  municipality  on  the  warrant  of  the  comptroller  on  vouchers  therefor  approved  by  the  commissioner  of  transportation. In the event, upon the completion of the work authorized  by  this  subdivision,  it  is  determined  by   the   commissioner   of  transportation that the amount of the cost to be borne by a municipality  is in excess of the amount deposited by such municipality with the state  comptroller,  then, in such event, such municipality shall within ninety  days  of  the  receipt  of  the  notice   from   the   commissioner   of  transportation  of  the  amount  of  the  deficiency  required  to fully  compensate the state for the municipality's cost of such work, pay  such  amount  to  the state comptroller. As used in this subdivision, the term  "municipality" shall include a public benefit corporation.    28. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter or any  other  law,  the  commissioner  of  transportation  is authorized to use either  exclusively for, or in conjunction with, for state purposes as set forth  in this chapter any state owned property under his jurisdiction acquired  for other public purposes. Transfer of such use shall be effected by  an  official  order of the commissioner of transportation to be filed in the  offices of the department of transportation and  of  the  department  of  state,  accompanied  by  a  description  and  map  of  such  property as  prescribed by an applicable section of this chapter. When the use is  to  be  exclusively for the state purposes as set forth in this chapter then  upon such filing of the description, map and official order of  transfer  of use, the property shall be used and maintained for the state purposes  as set forth in this chapter and be governed as though the said property  was  acquired  pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. When dual use  is to be made of such property for the state purposes as  set  forth  in  this  chapter and other public purposes by the state, the official order  of transfer shall so certify, and upon such filing of  the  description,  map  and  official  order  of  transfer,  the property shall be used and  maintained for such dual purposes, and shall be governed either by  this  chapter  or  the  law  under  which  jurisdiction  was  acquired  by thecommissioner of transportation or both as determined by the commissioner  of transportation and as will best effectuate the said dual use of  such  property.  The  provisions  of  this  subdivision shall not apply to any  property, the use of which is restricted by the state constitution.    29. The commissioner of transportation, subject to the approval of the  division  of  the budget, is hereby authorized to enter into cooperative  agreements with  municipalities  or  municipal  urban  renewal  agencies  established  and  organized pursuant to article fifteen-a of the general  municipal law relating to the  acquisition  and  clearance  of  property  deemed  necessary  for  the  effectuation of any of the purposes of this  chapter which lies within or immediately adjacent to  an  urban  renewal  area,  as  defined  in the general municipal law, in such municipalities  and to the equitable sharing  of  the  costs  of  such  acquisition  and  clearance.  When the acquisition of such property as is deemed necessary  for highway purposes  would  result  in  consequential  damages  to  the  owner's  remaining  property  and  all  or  a  portion of such remaining  property lies within an  urban  renewal  area  in  a  municipality,  the  commissioner  of  transportation may acquire such remaining property and  transfer the same to the municipality or municipal urban renewal  agency  upon  payment by the municipality or such municipal urban renewal agency  to the state, pursuant to the terms of a cooperative agreement  as  here  in  authorized,  of an equitable share of the cost of the acquisition of  such property and the clearance thereof where such clearance  is  deemed  necessary   or   appropriate   by  the  commissioner.  Such  cooperative  agreements may also provide for the acquisition and  clearance  of  such  property,  necessary  for  highway  purposes,  by  the  municipality  or  municipal urban renewal agency and the transfer  thereof  to  the  state  upon payment by the state to the municipality or municipal urban renewal  agency  of  an  equitable  share  of  the  cost of such acquisition, and  clearance if any.    29-a. The commissioner of transportation, subject to the  approval  of  the  division  of  the  budget,  is  hereby  authorized  to  enter  into  agreements with the Kingston urban renewal agency as defined in  article  fifteen-a  of  the  general  municipal law relating to the clearance and  transfer of property owned by the Kingston urban renewal  agency  deemed  necessary  for  the  effectuation of any of the purposes of this chapter  which lies within the Kingston urban renewal area. When the  acquisition  of  such  property  owned  by  the Kingston urban renewal agency, deemed  necessary for highway purposes, would result in consequential damages to  the remaining property owned by the Kingston urban renewal  agency,  the  commissioner  of transportation may acquire such remaining property from  the  Kingston  urban  renewal  agency  and  transfer  the  same  to  the  municipality  upon  payment  by  the  municipality  to  the  state. Such  agreements  may  also  provide  for  the  clearance  of  such  property,  necessary for highway purposes, by the Kingston urban renewal agency and  the  transfer  thereof  to  the  state  upon payment by the state to the  Kingston urban renewal agency of an equitable share of the cost of  such  clearance.    29-b.  The  commissioner of transportation, subject to the approval of  the  division  of  the  budget,  is  hereby  authorized  to  enter  into  cooperative  agreements  with  the  official authorized by the governing  body of the city of Yonkers, relating to the acquisition  and  clearance  of property deemed necessary for the effectuation of any of the purposes  of  this  chapter  which  lies  within  or  immediately  adjacent  to  a  development area, as defined herein, within the city of Yonkers and  the  equitable  sharing  of the costs of such acquisition and clearance. When  the acquisition of such property as  is  deemed  necessary  for  highway  purposes  would result in consequential damages to the owner's remainingproperty and all or a portion of such remaining property lies  within  a  development   area   in   the  city  of  Yonkers,  the  commissioner  of  transportation may acquire such remaining property and transfer the same  to  the city of Yonkers upon payment by such city to the state, pursuant  to the terms of a cooperative agreement  as  herein  authorized,  of  an  equitable  share of the cost of the acquisition of such property and the  clearance  thereof  where  such  clearance  is   deemed   necessary   or  appropriate  by  the commissioner.  Such cooperative agreements may also  provide for the acquisition and clearance of  such  property,  necessary  for highway purposes, by the city of Yonkers and the transfer thereof to  the  state  upon payment by the state to such city of an equitable share  of the cost of such acquisition, and clearance if any. As used  in  this  subdivision the term "development area" shall mean an area adjacent to a  state  highway facility in the city of Yonkers which has been designated  as such by the governing body  of  the  city  of  Yonkers,  on  its  own  initiative, upon a finding that such area is appropriate for development  and  that  it  is  in  the  public  interest  for  the  city  to control  development thereof in conjunction with the state highway facility.    30. Have power, on behalf and in the name of the  state,  whenever  he  deems  it  to  be  necessary  and in the best interests of the state, to  enter into cooperative contracts with any adjoining state, commonwealth,  nation, province, or any agency of the government of the  United  States  for  data  collection, studies, design, construction, reconstruction and  maintenance of state highway connections, including, but not limited to,  border  crossing  facilities,   within   any   such   adjoining   state,  commonwealth,  nation  or province notwithstanding the provisions of any  general, special or local law to the contrary; provided,  however,  that  before  any such contract shall take effect, it shall be approved by the  governor and attorney general  and  thereafter  approved  by  the  state  comptroller  and  filed in his or her office; and further provided, that  such contract shall provide for the manner in which the costs are to  be  borne,  including,  but  not  limited  to,  the cost of data collection,  studies, design, surveys, the preparation of plans  and  specifications,  the   acquisition   of   real  property  required  for  rights  of  way,  construction, reconstruction and maintenance of such highway connections  and bridges thereon and  of  approaches  thereto,  and  border  crossing  facilities,  and  such  other  costs  incidental  thereto.  In no event,  however, shall such contract require any fixed annual payment or subsidy  by the state of New York to any adjoining state, commonwealth, nation or  province for the maintenance or repair of any  such  highway  connection  lying  outside of the state of New York. The costs incurred by the state  pursuant to any such cooperative contracts as authorized herein shall be  payable from appropriations made to the  department  for  the  planning,  construction,  reconstruction and improvement of state highways, with or  without federal aid.    31. Cause signs to be erected and maintained designating the point  of  intersection of each state highway with the "Appalachian Trail".    32.  Have  power, upon the request of a county, city, town or village,  whenever such commissioner deems an existing state  highway  or  portion  thereof  lying within such municipality to be no longer needed or useful  to the state highway  system,  to  enter  into  an  agreement  with  the  appropriate  authorities  of such municipality to abandon by an official  order to such municipality such highway or  portion  thereof.  Upon  the  filing of certified copies of such official order with the county clerk,  the  county  board  of  supervisors  or  county legislative body and the  county finance officer of the county in which  such  municipality  lies,  the   clerk   of  such  municipality,the  appropriate  officer  of  such  municipality having general direction  and  supervision  of  the  publichighways  thereof  and  the  state comptroller, the state shall cease to  maintain such  highway  or  portion  thereof  and  all  the  rights  and  obligations of the state therein shall be turned over and surrendered to  such  municipality  and such highway or portion thereof shall thereafter  be maintained  as  a  part  of  the  highway  or  road  system  of  such  municipality.    33.  Have power, whenever such commissioner of transportation deems it  to be in the best interest of the state and necessary, as  a  result  of  work  authorized  pursuant  to  this  chapter, the transportation law or  chapter six hundred  seventy-eight  of  the  laws  of  nineteen  hundred  twenty-eight,  as  amended,  constituting the grade crossing elimination  act, and upon the request of a public utility  corporation,  to  provide  for  the  removal,  relocation,  replacement or reconstruction of pipes,  mains, wires, poles,  lights,  and  other  similar  facilities  of  such  utility   corporation.   The   expense   of  such  removal,  relocation,  replacement or reconstruction shall be borne  entirely  by  the  utility  corporation  except  so  much  thereof  as  would constitute compensable  damages under any provision  of  law.    Whenever  the  commissioner  of  transportation  shall  approve  such  a  request  of  a  public  utility  corporation, he shall, with the assistance of such utility  corporation,  make  an  estimate  of  the  cost  of  the work which he is requested to  perform in accordance with plans and specifications submitted to him  by  such  utility  corporation.  Such  utility  corporation  shall thereupon  deposit with the state comptroller, who is  authorized  to  receive  and  accept  the  same  for  the purposes of this subdivision, a sum equal to  such  estimate  and  subject  to  the  draft  or  requisition   of   the  commissioner  of transportation. If at any time during the course of the  work the commissioner of transportation deems the sum submitted  by  the  utility  corporation to be insufficient to meet anticipated costs of the  work, he shall  notify  the  utility  corporation  of  such  anticipated  deficiency,  whereupon  the utility company shall deposit with the state  comptroller, who is authorized to receive and accept the same subject to  the draft or requisition of the  commissioner  of  transportation,  such  additional   sum   as   is  deemed  necessary  by  the  commissioner  of  transportation to meet anticipated costs. When the  work  authorized  by  this  subdivision  has been completed the commissioner of transportation  shall render to the utility corporation an itemized statement showing in  full (a) the amount of money that has been  deposited  by  such  utility  company with the state comptroller as hereinbefore provided, and (b) all  disbursements   made   pursuant   to   this   subdivision   including  a  proportionate charge for engineering. Any surplus money shall be paid to  such  utility  company,  without  interest,  on  the  warrant   of   the  comptroller  on  vouchers  therefor  approved  by  the  commissioner  of  transportation.    34. Have power to utilize federal aid to undertake the federal traffic  operations program to increase capacity and safety  on  existing  street  and  highway  systems  in  urban  areas.  Before  any project under such  program is commenced, the city or municipality in which the  improvement  is  to  be  made  shall  consent  to and approve of the project. If such  project requires additional property, the commissioner of transportation  may acquire such property as may be necessary for the purposes  of  this  subdivision,  in the same manner as other property is acquired for state  highway purposes pursuant to this chapter,  and  he  may  enter  into  a  written agreement with the municipality involved to convey such property  as  deemed  necessary  for  the  purposes  of  this  subdivision to such  municipality  on  terms  beneficial  to  the  state.  The  cost  of  the  acquisition of additional property as provided in this subdivision shall  be  a  proper  charge  against  funds available for the project. If suchproject requires the removal,  relocation,  replacement,  alteration  or  reconstruction  of railroad facilities normally used for the maintenance  and  operation  of  the  railroad,  and   including   tracks,   signals,  communication   lines,  electrical  lines,  sewer  lines,  water  lines,  buildings, structures and their appurtenances, he  may  arrange  through  the   railroad   for   the  performance  of  such  removal,  relocation,  replacement, alteration or reconstruction of such facilities as  he  may  deem  necessary.  Such  removal,  relocation, replacement, alteration or  reconstruction of  facilities  may  be  performed  on  property  of  the  railroad  company. If such work requires additional property or if it is  necessary that the consequential relocation of such facilities  be  made  to  other property, he may acquire such property as may be necessary for  the purposes of this subdivision, in the same manner as  other  property  is  acquired for state highway purposes pursuant to this chapter, and he  may enter into a written agreement with the owner of the railroad  lands  to  convey  such  property  as deemed necessary for the purposes of this  subdivision to such owner on terms beneficial to the state. The  expense  of  such  removal, relocation, replacement, alteration or reconstruction  of the railroad facilities and any right  of  way  acquisition  therefor  shall  be  a  proper  charge against funds available for the project and  such work may be performed by contract in the same  manner  as  provided  for  state  highways in article three of this chapter, or, by the use of  departmental forces and equipment and of materials  purchased  therefor.  However,  if  the  commissioner  of transportation deems it to be in the  interest of the public, he may contract with  the  railroad,  upon  such  terms  as  he  may  deem  advantageous  to  the state, to have such work  performed (a) by the employment  of  the  forces  and  the  use  of  the  equipment  of  such  railroad  and by the use of any material on hand or  necessary to be purchased by such railroad or (b) by such  other  method  as  the  commissioner  of  transportation  shall  approve  or  (c)  by a  combination of the  methods  provided  in  this  subdivision,  and  upon  completion  and  acceptance  of the work, such facilities shall be owned  and maintained by  the  railroad.  The  commissioner  and  the  city  or  municipality  in  which  the improvement is to be made are authorized to  enter into any necessary  agreements  to  carry  out  such  projects  in  accordance with the federal standards and criteria.    34-a.  Have  power  to  utilize  federal  aid to undertake federal aid  programs available for highways and bridges not  on  the  state  highway  system.  Before  any  project  under  any such program is commenced, the  governing  body  of  the  county,  city,  town  or  village  which   has  jurisdiction  of the highway or bridge and in which the project is to be  undertaken shall consent to and approve of such project. If any  project  under  any  such  program requires additional property, the commissioner  may, at the request of the governing body  of  the  municipality  having  jurisdiction  of  the  highway or bridge acquire such property as may be  necessary for the purposes of this subdivision, in the  same  manner  as  other  property  is acquired for state highway purposes pursuant to this  chapter and the eminent domain procedure law. Whenever the  commissioner  determines that such project requires additional property, he shall make  an  estimate  of the cost of the property acquisition, in addition to an  estimate of the cost  of  constructing  the  project,  and  submit  such  estimate  to  the  municipality. The cost estimates shall be approved by  the municipality  in  writing  in  the  form  of  a  resolution  of  the  legislative  body  of  the municipality authorizing participation in the  cost of such acquisition and such construction  to  the  extent  of  the  amount  of  the  estimated  cost  to  be borne by the municipality. Such  resolution shall also authorize the municipality to deposit a sum  equal  to   the   municipal  share  of  the  estimated  costs  with  the  statecomptroller.  The  commissioner  shall  not  proceed   with   any   such  acquisition   until  the  municipality  has  deposited  with  the  state  comptroller, who is authorized to receive and accept the  same  for  the  purposes of this subdivision, a sum equal to the amount of such estimate  of  the  cost of acquisition to be borne by the municipality and subject  to the draft or requisition of the commissioner. Before the commissioner  shall proceed with the construction of such project,  such  municipality  shall  deposit  with the state comptroller, who is authorized to receive  and accept the same for the purposes of this subdivision, a sum equal to  the remainder of the amount of the estimated cost to  be  borne  by  the  municipality.  When  the  work  authorized  by this subdivision has been  completed and  the  cost  thereof  has  been  paid  by  the  state,  the  commissioner  shall render to the governing body of such municipality an  itemized statement in accordance with section eighty-b of this  chapter.  The   commissioner   may   enter  into  a  written  agreement  with  the  municipality involved to convey such property as  deemed  necessary  for  the   purposes  of  this  subdivision  to  such  municipality  on  terms  beneficial to the state. The  cost  of  the  acquisition  of  additional  property  as  provided  in  this  subdivision  shall  be a proper charge  against funds available  for  the  project.  The  commissioner  and  the  municipality  in  which  any  such  project  is  to  be  undertaken  are  authorized to enter into any necessary  agreements  to  carry  out  such  projects in accordance with federal standards and criteria.    34-b.  Have power, on behalf and in the name of the state, whenever he  deems it necessary and in the best interests of the state, to enter into  cooperative agreements with any one or several municipalities within the  state for the operation and maintenance of computerized traffic  control  signal  systems extending through, among or between such municipalities,  portions of which systems may be on local roads and  portions  of  which  systems  may  be  on  the  state  highway  system,  notwithstanding  the  provisions of any general, special or local law to  the  contrary.  Such  agreements  shall  provide  for  the  manner  in  which  the work of the  operation and maintenance of such computerized  traffic  control  signal  systems   shall   be  performed,  including  but  not  limited  to,  the  authorization for the forces or agents of a municipality to perform such  work on  the  state  highway  system  for  the  best  overall  efficient  operation  and  maintenance  of the entire system. Such agreements shall  also provide for the manner in which the  costs  of  the  operation  and  maintenance of such computerized traffic control signal systems shall be  borne including but not limited to, the cost of materials, equipment and  labor  necessary  for  the operation and maintenance of such systems and  such other costs incidental thereto. The costs  incurred  by  the  state  pursuant  to  any such cooperative agreements as authorized herein shall  be payable from appropriations made to the department of  transportation  for the operation, and/or maintenance of state highways, with or without  federal  aid.  Such  operation  and  maintenance work to be performed in  accordance with the agreements contemplated herein may be performed  (a)  by  contract  pursuant  to  state  law applicable to the state or to the  municipality letting the contract, or  (b)  by  the  use  of  department  forces  with  equipment  and materials purchased therefor, or (c) by the  use of the forces of any one or several of  the  municipalities  through  which  such  computerized traffic signal systems extend, with the use of  the equipment of such municipality and by the use  of  any  material  on  hand  or necessary to be purchased by any such municipality therefor, or  (d) by such other method as the  commissioner  of  transportation  shall  approve  or  (e) by a combination of such methods. Any such municipality  is  hereby  authorized  to  enter  into  all  necessary  agreements  andcontracts for the purposes of this subdivision, in accordance with state  and/or federal standards and criteria.    35. Have power, subject to the approval of the director of the budget,  whenever  the  commissioner  deems  it to be in the best interest of the  state in connection with an  authorized  or  anticipated  state  highway  construction,  reconstruction  or maintenance project and in conjunction  with an authorized or anticipated city, county, town, village or  public  authority  public  work  project,  and  ancillary thereto, to enter into  agreements with cities, counties, towns, villages or public  authorities  for  the  performance  by  or  on behalf of any such city, county, town,  village or public authority of any work connected with  or  necessitated  by  such  authorized  or  anticipated  construction,  reconstruction  or  maintenance of any part of the state highway system located  within  the  jurisdiction of such city, county, town, village or public authority and  to  make  payments  to  any  such  city, county, town, village or public  authority on account of such work notwithstanding the provisions of  any  general, special or local law to the contrary. The costs incurred by the  state  pursuant  to  any  such  agreements with cities, counties, towns,  villages, or public authorities as authorized herein  shall  be  payable  from  appropriations  made  to  the department of transportation for the  construction, reconstruction and maintenance of state highways  with  or  without  federal aid, and the work authorized herein may be performed by  contract in the same manner as provided in article five-A of the general  municipal law or in the case of public authorities, as provided  in  the  public  authorities  law. Any such city, county, town, village or public  authority is  hereby  authorized  to  enter  into  agreements  with  the  commissioner of transportation for the purposes of this subdivision.    36.  Have  power  to  acquire  property,  in  the same manner as other  property is  acquired  for  state  highway  purposes  pursuant  to  this  chapter, for the purpose of parking facilities and appurtenances thereto  at  or  adjacent  to  transportation  interfaces and connections to such  facilities.    37. Have power, whenever such commissioner of transportation deems  it  feasible  and in the best interests of the state upon the request of the  head of a  state  department,  agency,  institution  or  public  benefit  corporation  to  construct  access  or branch connections from any state  highway to any highway or roadway system of any facility of  such  state  department,  agency,  institution  or public benefit corporation. Before  undertaking such construction, the commissioner  and  the  head  of  the  state  department,  agency,  institution  or  public benefit corporation  shall enter into a written agreement, subject to  the  approval  of  the  director  of  the budget, providing the funds therefor, or reimbursement  by  such  state  department,  agency,  institution  or  public   benefit  corporation  of  the funds therefor, including all costs incurred by the  department in connection with such construction. Where  such  access  or  br	
	
	
	
	

State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > New-york > Hay > Article-2 > 10

§  10. General powers and duties of the commissioner of transportation  relating to highways. The commissioner of transportation shall:    1. Have general supervision of all  highways  and  bridges  which  are  constructed,  improved  or  maintained in whole or in part by the aid of  state moneys.    2. Cause surveys, maps, plans, specifications and estimates to be made  for the improvement, construction and maintenance of state highways.    2-a. In  consultation  with  the  commissioner  of  commerce  and  the  commissioner   of  parks  and  recreation,  cause  the  preparation  and  distribution of a highway map for the state, including but  not  limited  to a representation of the state highway system, the thruway system, the  principal  bikeways and highway systems of the municipalities within the  state. Such map shall be  intended  to  facilitate  travel  and  promote  tourism  throughout  the  state,  and  shall  not  be  admissible in any  proceeding as proof of ownership, location or condition of the  highways  represented thereon.    3.  Cause investigations and reconnaissance surveys to be made for the  purpose  of  ascertaining  and  determining   the   practicability   and  feasibility  of  extensions  to  the  system  of  state  highways by the  construction of possible branches or cut-offs from  state  highways  for  the  purpose  of affording by-passes around cities, villages and hamlets  of the state to relieve traffic congestion therein,  and  also  for  the  construction  of  additional  routes  to  relieve  traffic congestion on  present  main  routes.  The   expense   of   such   investigations   and  reconnaissance  surveys shall be a proper charge against funds available  for the construction, reconstruction or maintenance of state highways.    4. Approve and determine the final plans, specifications and estimates  for state highways and cause a contract to be let for  the  construction  or improvement of same after due advertisement.    5.  Direct  and  cause to be made such repairs of state highways as he  deems necessary, within the estimates and appropriations made therefor.    6. Cause an inspection and examination to be made of all work on state  highways.    7. Annually cause to be inspected all  improved  state  highways,  and  shall  require a complete report of such inspection which shall show the  condition of the highway inspected, the necessary work to  be  performed  in  the  repair and maintenance of such highways, and the estimated cost  thereof.    8. Approve and certify to the monthly estimates of allowances for work  being performed under any contract let for the construction, improvement  or maintenance of state highways.    9. Prescribe rules and regulations not inconsistent with  law,  fixing  the duties of county and town superintendents in respect to all highways  and  bridges and determining the method of the construction, improvement  or maintenance of such highways and bridges. Such rules and  regulations  shall,  before  taking effect, be printed and transmitted to the highway  officers affected thereby.    9-a. Prescribe rules and regulations not inconsistent with law, fixing  the duties of county and town superintendents, in respect to  oil  spill  control,  pursuant  to  authority  given the commissioner in section one  hundred seventy-seven of the navigation law.    10. Compel compliance with laws, rules  and  regulations  relating  to  highways  and  bridges  by  highway  officers  and see that the same are  carried into full force and effect.    11. Aid  county  and  town  superintendents  in  establishing  grades,  preparing  suitable  systems  of drainage and advise with them as to the  construction, improvement and maintenance of highways and bridges.12. Investigate  and  determine  upon  the  various  methods  of  road  construction  adapted  to different sections of the state, and as to the  best methods of construction and maintenance of highways and bridges.    13.  Compile statistics relating to the public highways throughout the  state, and collect such information in regard thereto as he  shall  deem  expedient.    14.  Cause  public meetings to be held whenever he deems it advisable,  in each district or county, for the purpose of furnishing  such  general  information   and  instructions  as  may  be  necessary,  regarding  the  construction, improvement or maintenance of the highways and bridges and  the application of the highway law, and the rules and regulations of the  department, and also for the purpose of  hearing  complaints.  He  shall  notify  the county engineer or county superintendent of his intention to  hold such meeting  or  meetings,  specifying  the  date  and  the  place  thereof.    15.  Prepare  tables  showing the total number of miles of highways in  the state, by town and county, and file a copy of the same in the office  of the comptroller.    16. Aid at all times in promoting highway improvement  throughout  the  state,  and  perform  such  other  duties  and have such other powers in  respect to highways and bridges as may be imposed or conferred on him by  law.    17. When the corners of the boundaries of counties,  cities,  villages  and  subdivision  lots  of towns shall have been located, as provided in  subdivision ten of section one hundred and  two  of  this  chapter,  the  commissioner  shall  cause  a monument to be accurately set at each such  corner, except in cases where the improvement of such  highway  or  road  has  been completed prior to the location of such corners as provided in  such subdivision. Such monuments shall be of some durable  material  and  shall  be  so  set  that  the  top  thereof shall be on a level with the  surface of such improved highway or road. The cost and expense  of  such  monuments and the setting of the same shall be a state charge.    18. Include in his annual report to the legislature a statement of the  condition  of  the highways and bridges, the progress of the improvement  and maintenance of state highways, county roads and town  highways,  the  amount  of  moneys  received and expended during the year, upon highways  and bridges and such matters, as in his judgment, should be  brought  to  the  attention  of  the legislature, together with recommendations as to  such measures in relation to highways as the public interests require.    19. During the construction or improvement of a state highway, if such  highway be closed to the traveling public and another  existing  highway  is  caused  to  be  used  in  lieu  of the closed highway as provided in  section one hundred  and  four  of  this  chapter,  provide,  erect  and  maintain a sufficient number of detour signs so that the temporary route  or  detour  shall be clearly indicated throughout its entire length, and  upon the discontinuance of said temporary route or detour,  shall  cause  such  signs to be removed, and the cost of all thereof shall be paid out  of  any  funds  available   for   the   construction,   improvement   or  reconstruction of state highways.    20.  Whenever  the  construction  or improvement of a state highway or  section thereof under a  contract  shall  be  completed  and  the  final  payment  therefor  shall have been made, prepare a statement of the cost  of such construction or  improvement,  including  engineering  expenses,  inspection  and  all  charges  and expenses properly chargeable thereto,  showing in detail the date of each payment, and the purpose  and  amount  of such payment. Such payments shall be grouped as far as practicable by  dates  and  the  total  thus  obtained  shall be deemed the cost of such  construction or improvement.21. Provide for the separation of highway-railroad crossings at  grade  under  the  act  known by the short title of "grade crossing elimination  act." He shall also provide for such work as he is authorized to perform  under the provisions of the railroad law, and the portion of the cost of  such work which is payable by the state under section ninety-four of the  railroad  law  shall  be  paid  out  of  any  funds  available  for  the  construction, improvement or reconstruction of state highways.    22. Provide for  the  construction  of  sidewalks  adjacent  to  state  highways  outside of cities and incorporated villages, when he is of the  opinion the  same  are  necessary.  He  shall  have  full  authority  to  determine the type, width, location with respect to the highway, and the  general  construction  details  of  such  sidewalks. The expense of such  construction shall be a proper charge against funds  available  for  the  construction, reconstruction or maintenance of state highways.    23.  Provide  for  the  installation and maintenance of lights on such  state highways as he is of the opinion are  necessary.  The  expense  of  such installation and maintenance shall be a proper charge against funds  available  for  the construction, reconstruction or maintenance of state  highways.    24. Have power, whenever such commissioner of transportation deems  it  is  necessary  as  a  result  of work of construction, reconstruction or  maintenance of state highways, to provide at the expense  of  the  state  for  the  removal,  relocation,  replacement and reconstruction of water  mains, sewer pipes, communication systems, fire  alarm  systems,  street  lighting,  traffic control systems and any other similar facilities that  are owned by any municipality and are maintained for public use  and  to  participate  in  the expense of the removal, relocation, replacement and  reconstruction of all other types of facilities or  parts  thereof  that  are  owned  by  any  municipality and are maintained for public use, the  state's share of such expense not to exceed the appraised value of  such  facilities  or  parts  thereof, as the case may be, as determined by the  commissioner  of  transportation.  However,  in  connection   with   any  federally funded highway project, the commissioner of transportation may  agree  to  pay  an  amount not to exceed the state's share, based on its  proportionate share of the cost of the entire highway  project,  of  the  functional  replacement cost of any of the aforesaid facilities owned by  any  municipal  corporation,  school  district,  board  of   cooperative  educational  services,  public benefit corporation or any other state or  municipal governmental agency where the federal government agrees to pay  its share of such functional replacement cost, which shall be  based  on  its  proportionate share of the cost of the entire project. If such work  requires additional property or if it is necessary that  the  relocation  of  such  facilities  be  made  to  other  property, he may acquire such  property as may be necessary for the purposes of  this  subdivision,  in  the same manner as other property is acquired for state highway purposes  pursuant to this chapter, and he may enter into a written agreement with  the  municipality  involved  to convey such property as deemed necessary  for the purposes of this  subdivision  to  such  municipality  on  terms  beneficial  to  the  state.  The  expense  of  such removal, relocation,  replacement and reconstruction or the state's share thereof, as the case  may be, shall be  a  proper  charge  against  funds  available  for  the  construction,  reconstruction or maintenance of state highways, and such  work may be performed by contract in the same  manner  as  provided  for  state  highways  in  article  three  of  this chapter, or, by the use of  departmental forces and equipment and of materials  purchased  therefor.  However,  if  the  commissioner  of transportation deems it to be in the  interest of the public, he may contract with the municipality, upon such  terms as he may deem advantageous  to  the  state,  to  have  such  workperformed  (a)  by  the  employment  of  the  forces  and the use of the  equipment of such municipality and by the use of any material on hand or  necessary to be purchased by such municipality  or  (b)  by  such  other  method  as such commissioner of transportation shall approve or (c) by a  combination of the  methods  provided  in  this  subdivision.  Any  such  municipality  is  hereby  authorized to enter into such contract for the  purposes of this subdivision. In all  cases  pursuant  to  this  section  where  the  state  is to pay part of the expense of removal, relocation,  replacement and reconstruction of any facilities  that  are  municipally  owned  and  that  are  maintained  for  public  use, the commissioner of  transportation, if he deems it in the best interest of  the  state,  may  offer  to  remove,  relocate, replace or reconstruct such facilities and  may  prepare  plans,  specifications  and  estimates  of  cost  of  such  projects,  together  with  an estimate of the share of the expense to be  borne by the municipality, which shall be  submitted  to  the  governing  board  of  such  municipality.  If the municipality approves such plans,  specifications and estimates of cost and share of the expense, it  shall  by  resolution  appropriate  the funds necessary to pay its share of the  expense. A certified copy of the resolution  shall  be  filed  with  the  commissioner  of  transportation  and with the state comptroller and the  funds shall, prior to the award of  a  contract,  be  deposited  by  the  municipality  with  the  state  comptroller  subject  to  the  draft  or  requisition of the commissioner of transportation. Upon  the  completion  and  acceptance  of  the work such facilities shall be maintained by the  municipality. As used in this subdivision, the term "municipality" shall  include a public water authority.    24-a. Have power, whenever such commissioner of  transportation  deems  it  is  necessary as a result of work of construction, reconstruction or  maintenance of state highways to provide for  the  removal,  relocation,  replacement  and  reconstruction  of any facilities of the United States  government. The expense of such  removal,  relocation,  replacement  and  reconstruction  shall be a proper charge against funds available for the  construction, reconstruction or maintenance of state highways, and  such  work  may  be  performed  by contract in the same manner as provided for  state highways in article three of  this  chapter,  or  by  the  use  of  departmental  forces  and equipment and of materials purchased therefor.  Upon the completion and acceptance of the work  done  pursuant  to  this  subdivision  such  facilities  shall  be maintained by the United States  government.    24-b. Have power, whenever such commissioner of  transportation  deems  it  is  necessary as a result of work of construction, reconstruction or  maintenance of state highways, to provide for the  removal,  relocation,  replacement  or  reconstruction  of privately, publicly or cooperatively  owned water, storm and sewer lines and facilities,  facilities  for  the  transmission  and/or distribution of communications, power, electricity,  light, heat, gas, crude products, steam and other  similar  commodities,  municipal  utility  facilities, or facilities of a corporation organized  pursuant to the transportation corporations  law  that  are  located  on  privately  owned  property. If such work requires additional property or  if it is necessary that the relocation of such  facilities  be  made  to  other property, he may acquire such property as may be necessary for the  purposes  of  this  subdivision, in the same manner as other property is  acquired for state highway purposes pursuant to this chapter, and he and  the owner of such facilities may  enter  into  a  written  agreement  to  convey  such  property  as  deemed  necessary  for  the purposes of this  subdivision to such owner on terms beneficial to the state. The  expense  of  such  removal, relocation, replacement or reconstruction and cost of  property acquisition shall be a proper charge  against  funds  availablefor  the  construction, reconstruction or maintenance of state highways.  Except when  such  facilities  are  owned  by  a  corporation  organized  pursuant  to  the  transportation  corporations  law,  the  work of such  removal, relocation, replacement or reconstruction shall be performed by  contract  in  the  same manner as provided for state highways in article  three of this chapter,  or,  by  the  use  of  departmental  forces  and  equipment  and  of materials purchased therefor, unless the commissioner  of transportation consents  to  having  the  owner  of  such  facilities  provide  for  the  work  of  such  removal,  relocation,  replacement or  reconstruction. In the  case  where  such  facilities  are  owned  by  a  corporation  organized  pursuant to the transportation corporations law,  the work of such  removal,  relocation,  replacement  or  reconstruction  shall  be  provided for by such corporation unless it consents to having  the commissioner of transportation provide for such work to be performed  by  contract,  in  accordance  with  specifications  provided  by   such  corporation,  in  the  same  manner  as  provided  for state highways in  article three of this chapter, or, by the use of departmental forces and  equipment and of materials purchased therefor. Upon  the  completion  of  the work, such facilities shall be maintained by the owners thereof.    In  the  event  that the commissioner of transportation, in connection  with the work of construction, reconstruction or  maintenance  of  state  highways,  encounters  such facilities, other than facilities owned by a  corporation organized pursuant to the transportation corporations law or  operating as a transportation corporation that are  located  within  the  highway  right-of-way,  he  may  provide  for  the  removal, relocation,  replacement  or  reconstruction  of  such  facilities  as  he  deems  it  necessary.  To  the extent the commissioner determines it equitable, the  expense of such removal, relocation, replacement or reconstruction shall  be a  proper  charge  against  funds  available  for  the  construction,  reconstruction   or  maintenance  of  state  highways  pursuant  to  the  provisions of this subdivision, and such  work  shall  be  performed  by  contract  in  the  same manner as provided for state highways in article  three of this chapter,  or,  by  the  use  of  departmental  forces  and  equipment  and  of materials purchased therefor, unless the commissioner  of transportation consents  to  having  the  owner  of  such  facilities  provide  for  the  work  of  such  removal,  relocation,  replacement or  reconstruction. In the event that  the  commissioner  of  transportation  determines prior to undertaking such removal, relocation, replacement or  reconstruction  that the owner of such facilities is responsible for all  or any portion of such expense he shall enter into a  written  agreement  with  such  owner, for the purpose of providing funding, and the deposit  with the state comptroller of  such  funds  as  are  determined  by  the  commissioner  to  be sufficient to provide for such owner's share of the  expenses. The state comptroller is authorized to receive and accept such  funds subject to  a  draft  or  requisition  from  the  commissioner  of  transportation.  If  the  funds deposited with the state comptroller are  subsequently determined by the commissioner to be insufficient  to  meet  such owner's share, the owner shall in every case be responsible for any  balance  due.  When  such  work  has been completed, the commissioner of  transportation shall render an accounting to the owner, and any  surplus  moneys  shall be paid to such owner, without interest, on the warrant of  the comptroller on vouchers therefor approved  by  the  commissioner  of  transportation.  Upon  completion  of the work, such facilities shall be  maintained by the owners thereof.    In the event that the commissioner of  transportation,  in  connection  with  the  work  of construction, reconstruction or maintenance of state  highways, encounters such facilities of a corporation organized pursuant  to the transportation corporations law or operating as a  transportationcorporation  that  are located within the highway right-of-way, he shall  provide compensation for the fair and reasonable cost  of  the  removal,  relocation,  replacement  or  reconstruction of such facilities provided  the following conditions are met:    (a) the project for which such facilities are to be removed, relocated  or  replaced  or  reconstructed must be federally funded and the cost of  such removal, relocation, replacement or reconstruction are  a  part  of  the approved project cost by the appropriate federal authorities; and    (b)  such  compensation shall be provided only: (i) for the interstate  category of projects; and (ii) for the other categories of projects only  when a specific appropriation has been made for such purpose; and    (c) for those  categories  for  which  compensation  is  provided  the  commissioner of transportation shall reimburse the corporation at a rate  not  less than the rate of reimbursement as the state shall receive from  the federal government; and    (d) such corporation enters into an agreement with the commissioner of  transportation in connection  with  undertaking  the  work  of  removal,  relocation, replacement or reconstruction which shall specify the amount  or  the basis of compensation that is to be provided toward the fair and  reasonable  cost   of   such   removal,   relocation,   replacement   or  reconstruction.    The  fair and reasonable cost of such removal, relocation, replacement  or reconstruction shall mean the  amount  paid  by  such  a  corporation  properly   attributable   to  the  work  of  such  removal,  relocation,  replacement  or  reconstruction  of  such  facilities  after   deducting  therefrom  any  betterment incorporated into the new facilities plus the  salvage value and depreciation from the old facility determined  by  the  established  methods  utilized by the state. Nothing in this subdivision  shall be construed to grant to the  owner  of  such  private  facilities  within the highway right-of-way any greater or new rights, other than as  provided herein, to compensation for removals, relocations, replacements  or  reconstructions  of  such  facilities  in  connection  with  work of  construction, reconstruction  or  maintenance  of  state  highways  that  existed prior to the effective date of the amendment to this subdivision  and  compensation  to  be paid hereunder is strictly limited as provided  herein.    24-c. Have power, whenever such commissioner of  transportation  deems  it  necessary  as  a  result  of  work  of construction, reconstruction,  improvement or maintenance of state highways, including  the  separation  of  highway-railroad  crossings,  pursuant  to  this  chapter,  and  the  construction or reconstruction of highway-railroad crossings  at  grade,  to  provide  for  the  removal,  relocation, replacement, alteration and  reconstruction of railroad facilities normally used for the  maintenance  and   operation   of   the   railroad  and  including  tracks,  signals,  communication  lines,  electrical  lines,  sewer  lines,  water   lines,  buildings, structures and their appurtenances. Such removal, relocation,  replacement, alteration or reconstruction of facilities may be performed  on  property  of  the railroad company. If such work requires additional  property or if it is necessary that the consequential relocation of such  facilities be made to other property, he may acquire  such  property  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  purposes  of this subdivision, in the same  manner as other property is acquired for state highway purposes pursuant  to this chapter, and he may enter into  a  written  agreement  with  the  owner  of the railroad lands to convey such property as deemed necessary  for the purposes of this subdivision to such owner on  terms  beneficial  to  the  state.  The  expense  of such removal, relocation, replacement,  alteration or reconstruction and right of way  acquisition  shall  be  a  proper   charge   against   funds   available   for   the  construction,reconstruction, improvement or maintenance of state highways,  and  such  work  may  be  performend by contract in the same manner as provided for  state highways in article three of this  chapter,  or,  by  the  use  of  departmental  forces  and equipment and of materials purchased therefor.  However, if the commissioner of transportation deems it  to  be  in  the  interest  of  the  public,  he may contract with the railroad, upon such  terms as he may deem advantageous  to  the  state,  to  have  such  work  performed  (a)  by  the  employment  of  the  forces  and the use of the  equipment of such railroad and by the use of any  material  on  hand  or  necessary  to  be purchased by such railroad or (b) by such other method  as such commissioner  of  transportation  shall  approve  or  (c)  by  a  combination  of  the  methods provided in this subdivision. In the event  that the commissioner of transportation and the railroad are  unable  to  agree upon the terms of such contract, the commissioner shall notify the  railroad,  in  writing,  of  his  intent to issue an order directing the  railroad to have such work performed as required of its  forces  and  to  permit  entry  upon  railroad  lands  of  employees  and  agents  of the  department of transportation in  order  to  perform  such  work  as  the  commissioner  of transportation shall deem necessary. The railroad shall  have thirty days after the receipt of such notification in which it  may  request  a  hearing  before  the  commissioner  of  transportation.  The  commissioner of transportation shall give the  railroad  notice  of  not  less  than ten days of the time and place scheduled for such hearing. If  a hearing is not requested or if, after such hearing is held,  agreement  between  the  parties is not reached, the commissioner of transportation  may issue such order directing the railroad to have such work performed.  Such order shall require the railroad to submit an estimate of the  cost  of  work  required  of  its  forces  including the material necessary to  perform  such  work,  which  cost,  subject  to  the  approval  of   the  commissioner  of  transportation,  shall  be  reimbursed by the state in  accordance with the terms of such order. Such order shall  also  include  terms  protecting the railroad in the safe and uninterrupted maintenance  and operation of said railroad during the performance  of  any  work  on  railroad   lands   by   employees   and  agents  of  the  department  of  transportation, if their entry upon railraod  lands  for  such  work  is  deemed  necessary  by  the commissioner of transportation as hereinabove  provided. Upon the completion and acceptance of the work such facilities  shall be owned and maintained by the railroad.    24-d. Have power, whenever such commissioner of  transportation  deems  it  is  necessary as a result of work of construction, reconstruction or  maintenance of state highways, to provide for  the  re-establishment  of  private  access  to  a  public  road  where  such access is destroyed by  acquisition of right of way for the project. If such re-establishment of  private access requires additional property or if it is  necessary  that  such  re-establishment  of  private access be made to other property, he  may acquire such property as may be necessary for the purposes  of  this  subdivision,  in the same manner as other property is acquired for state  highway purposes pursuant to this chapter,  and  he  may  enter  into  a  written  agreement  with the owner of such private access to convey such  property as deemed necessary for the purposes  of  this  subdivision  to  such  owner  on  terms  beneficial  to  the  state.  The expense of such  re-establishment of private access shall  be  a  proper  charge  against  funds  available  for the construction, reconstruction or maintenance of  state highways, and such work may be performed by contract in  the  same  manner  as provided for state highways in article three of this chapter,  or, by the use of departmental forces and  equipment  and  of  materials  purchased  therefor,  or  by  a  combination  of  such methods. Upon thecompletion of the work, such  re-established  private  access  shall  be  maintained by the owners thereof.    25.  Have  power  to combine, connect, alter, relocate, terminate, and  pave intersecting highways, roads or streets  and  to  provide  drainage  therefor;  to divert traffic from an existing highway, road or street to  an existing or a new highway, road or street, and to  provide,  when  he  deems  it  to  be  in  the  interest  of  public  safety, for a suitable  structure or structures across highways to accommodate  at  an  adjusted  grade the continuity of such highways, roads or streets by an under-pass  or  over-pass,  and  to adjust grades and traffic to such structures; to  plan, designate, construct, alter, improve and vacate frontage, marginal  and service roads, in connection with the development of any  controlled  access  facility;  and  to acquire such property as may be necessary for  the purposes of this subdivision, in the same manner as  other  property  is  acquired  for  state  highway purposes pursuant to this chapter. The  cost of the work and of the acquisition of property as provided in  this  subdivision  shall  be  a  proper charge against funds available for the  construction, reconstruction or improvement of state highways. Any  such  frontage,  marginal  or service road or portion of intersecting highway,  road or  street  upon  which  such  work  is  completed  shall,  if  not  determined  by  the  commissioner  of transportation to be a part of the  state  highway  system,  be  maintained  by  the  municipality  or   the  municipalities  in which such frontage, marginal or service road or such  portion of intersecting highway, road or street is located, except  that  if the intersecting highway, road or street or the frontage, marginal or  service  road  is  under the jurisdiction of an authority, commission or  other public agency, said portion thereof shall, if  not  determined  by  the  commissioner  of  transportation  to be a part of the state highway  system, be maintained as  determined  jointly  by  the  commissioner  of  transportation  and  the  chairman  or  chief  executive  officer of the  authority, commission or other public agency.    26. Provide for  the  separation  of  highway-railroad  crossings  and  construction  of  highway-railroad  crossings  at  grade  where  in  the  construction or reconstruction of any part of the state highway  system,  or  county  roads  with federal-aid, or where highways, roads or streets  are combined, connected, altered or relocated pursuant to this  section,  an additional crossing of a railroad is made at a place where no highway  grade  crossing  exists.  In  the  discretion  of  the  commissioner  of  transportation,   and   in   connection   with   the   construction   or  reconstruction  of any part of the state highway system, a structure may  be constructed to eliminate an existing crossing at grade of a  railroad  and  a  state highway or of a railroad and a highway which intersects or  closely parallels a state highway. The  commissioner  of  transportation  may  also,  in connection with the construction or reconstruction of any  part of the state highway system,  or  county  roads  with  federal-aid,  provide  for  the reconstruction of existing highway-railroad separation  structures or highway-railroad crossings at grade on  any  part  of  the  state  highway  system,  or  on  county  roads  with  federal-aid, or on  highways, roads or streets combined, connected,  altered,  or  relocated  pursuant to this section.    The   cost  of  construction  or  reconstruction  of  such  separation  facilities or grade crossings,  including  the  cost  of  such  crossing  protection as is ordered by the commissioner of transportation, shall be  a  proper  charge  against  funds  available  for  the  construction  or  reconstruction of state highways or county roads.    Notwithstanding the provisions of section ninety-three of the railroad  law, structures hereafter constructed or reconstructed pursuant to  this  subdivision to separate the grade of railroads and any part of the statehighway  system  shall  be  maintained upon completion as follows: (a) A  structure and its supports which carries railroad tracks over the  state  highway  shall  be  maintained  and  repaired  by the operating railroad  corporation  or  corporations.  (b)  A  structure and its supports which  carries a state highway over railroad tracks  shall  be  maintained  and  repaired  by  the  state.  This maintenance provision shall not apply to  structures  constructed  or  reconstructed  pursuant  to  section  three  hundred forty-b, three hundred forty-d and three hundred forty-nine-c of  this chapter.    26-a.  Have  power, whenever such commissioner of transportation deems  it to be in the best interest of the state, in connection with work upon  certain bridges for which  the  maintenance  responsibility  is  divided  between  the  state  and  a  railroad  corporation,  where  such work is  authorized pursuant to this chapter or the transportation law  and  upon  the   request   of   the   railroad  corporation,  to  provide  for  the  reconstruction,  repair  or  alteration  of  bridge  structures,  bridge  supports,  bridge  approaches  or  any  other bridge parts which are the  maintenance responsibility of such railroad corporation. The expense  of  such reconstruction, repair or alteration shall be borne entirely by the  railroad   corporation  except  so  much  thereof  as  would  constitute  compensable  damages  under  any  provision   of   law.   Whenever   the  commissioner  of  transportation  shall  approve  such  a  request  of a  railroad corporation, he shall, with the  assistance  of  such  railroad  corporation,  make  an  estimate  of  the  cost  of the work which he is  requested  to  perform  in  accordance  with  plans  and  specifications  submitted  to him by the railroad corporation. Such railroad corporation  shall thereupon deposit with the state comptroller, who is authorized to  receive and accept the same for the purposes of this subdivision, a  sum  equal  to  such  estimate and subject to the draft or requisition of the  commissioner of transportation. If at any time during the course of  the  work  the  commissioner of transportation deems the sum submitted by the  railroad corporation to be insufficient to meet anticipated costs of the  work, he shall notify  the  railroad  corporation  of  such  anticipated  deficiency,  whereupon  the  railroad corporation shall deposit with the  state comptroller, who is authorized to  receive  and  accept  the  same  subject   to   the   draft   or   requisition  of  the  commissioner  of  transportation, such additional  sum  as  is  deemed  necessary  by  the  commissioner  of transportation to meet anticipated costs. When the work  authorized by this subdivision has been completed  the  commissioner  of  transportation  shall  render  to  the  railroad corporation an itemized  statement showing in  full  (a)  the  amount  of  money  that  has  been  deposited  by  such  railroad  corporation with the state comptroller as  hereinbefore provided, and (b) all disbursements made pursuant  to  this  subdivision  including  a  proportionate  charge  for  engineering.  Any  surplus money shall  be  paid  to  such  railroad  corporation,  without  interest,  on  the  warrant  of  the  comptroller  on  vouchers therefor  approved by the commissioner of transportation.    26-b. Have power, whenever the commissioner of transportation deems it  in the best interests of the  state  to  do  so  and  with  the  written  permission  of  the railroad corporation charged with the responsibility  for  maintaining  such  structure,  in  connection  with   construction,  reconstruction  or  maintenance  of  state  highways, to provide for the  removal  and  disposition,  on  terms  beneficial  to  the   state,   of  highway-railroad grade separation structures which are no longer used or  useful for railroad purposes.    27. Have power, upon the request of a municipality, to perform for and  at  the  expense  of  such  municipality,  any  work  of construction or  reconstruction, including the  removal  and  relocation  of  facilities,provided  the  commissioner  of  transportation  deems it practicable to  perform  such  work  for  such  municipality  in  connection  with   the  performance  of  any work of construction, reconstruction or improvement  under  the  provisions  of  this  chapter.  Whenever the commissioner of  transportation shall approve such a request of a municipality, he  shall  make  an  estimate of the cost of the work which he is requested by such  municipality to perform in  accordance  with  plans  and  specifications  submitted  to  him by such municipality, which cost estimates, plans and  specifications shall be approved by the municipality in  writing  before  the commissioner of transportation shall proceed with any such municipal  work.   Such   municipality  shall  thereupon  deposit  with  the  state  comptroller, who is authorized to receive and accept the  same  for  the  purposes  of  this subdivision, a sum equal to such estimate and subject  to the draft or  requisition  of  the  commissioner  of  transportation.  Provided,  however,  that nothing contained in this subdivision shall be  construed to prevent the commissioner of transportation from  proceeding  with   the   state   work,  incorporating  the  work  requested  by  the  municipality in accordance with cost estimates, plans and specifications  approved by such municipality, if he determines it to be  necessary  and  in  the best interest of the state to do so. When the work authorized by  this subdivision has been completed and the cost thereof shall have been  paid by the state, the commissioner of transportation  shall  render  to  the governing body of such municipality an itemized statement showing in  full   (a)  the  amount  of  money  that  has  been  deposited  by  such  municipality with the state comptroller as  hereinbefore  provided,  and  (b)  all  disbursements  made  pursuant to this subdivision. Any surplus  money shall  be  paid  to  such  municipality  on  the  warrant  of  the  comptroller  on  vouchers  therefor  approved  by  the  commissioner  of  transportation. In the event, upon the completion of the work authorized  by  this  subdivision,  it  is  determined  by   the   commissioner   of  transportation that the amount of the cost to be borne by a municipality  is in excess of the amount deposited by such municipality with the state  comptroller,  then, in such event, such municipality shall within ninety  days  of  the  receipt  of  the  notice   from   the   commissioner   of  transportation  of  the  amount  of  the  deficiency  required  to fully  compensate the state for the municipality's cost of such work, pay  such  amount  to  the state comptroller. As used in this subdivision, the term  "municipality" shall include a public benefit corporation.    28. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter or any  other  law,  the  commissioner  of  transportation  is authorized to use either  exclusively for, or in conjunction with, for state purposes as set forth  in this chapter any state owned property under his jurisdiction acquired  for other public purposes. Transfer of such use shall be effected by  an  official  order of the commissioner of transportation to be filed in the  offices of the department of transportation and  of  the  department  of  state,  accompanied  by  a  description  and  map  of  such  property as  prescribed by an applicable section of this chapter. When the use is  to  be  exclusively for the state purposes as set forth in this chapter then  upon such filing of the description, map and official order of  transfer  of use, the property shall be used and maintained for the state purposes  as set forth in this chapter and be governed as though the said property  was  acquired  pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. When dual use  is to be made of such property for the state purposes as  set  forth  in  this  chapter and other public purposes by the state, the official order  of transfer shall so certify, and upon such filing of  the  description,  map  and  official  order  of  transfer,  the property shall be used and  maintained for such dual purposes, and shall be governed either by  this  chapter  or  the  law  under  which  jurisdiction  was  acquired  by thecommissioner of transportation or both as determined by the commissioner  of transportation and as will best effectuate the said dual use of  such  property.  The  provisions  of  this  subdivision shall not apply to any  property, the use of which is restricted by the state constitution.    29. The commissioner of transportation, subject to the approval of the  division  of  the budget, is hereby authorized to enter into cooperative  agreements with  municipalities  or  municipal  urban  renewal  agencies  established  and  organized pursuant to article fifteen-a of the general  municipal law relating to the  acquisition  and  clearance  of  property  deemed  necessary  for  the  effectuation of any of the purposes of this  chapter which lies within or immediately adjacent to  an  urban  renewal  area,  as  defined  in the general municipal law, in such municipalities  and to the equitable sharing  of  the  costs  of  such  acquisition  and  clearance.  When the acquisition of such property as is deemed necessary  for highway purposes  would  result  in  consequential  damages  to  the  owner's  remaining  property  and  all  or  a  portion of such remaining  property lies within an  urban  renewal  area  in  a  municipality,  the  commissioner  of  transportation may acquire such remaining property and  transfer the same to the municipality or municipal urban renewal  agency  upon  payment by the municipality or such municipal urban renewal agency  to the state, pursuant to the terms of a cooperative agreement  as  here  in  authorized,  of an equitable share of the cost of the acquisition of  such property and the clearance thereof where such clearance  is  deemed  necessary   or   appropriate   by  the  commissioner.  Such  cooperative  agreements may also provide for the acquisition and  clearance  of  such  property,  necessary  for  highway  purposes,  by  the  municipality  or  municipal urban renewal agency and the transfer  thereof  to  the  state  upon payment by the state to the municipality or municipal urban renewal  agency  of  an  equitable  share  of  the  cost of such acquisition, and  clearance if any.    29-a. The commissioner of transportation, subject to the  approval  of  the  division  of  the  budget,  is  hereby  authorized  to  enter  into  agreements with the Kingston urban renewal agency as defined in  article  fifteen-a  of  the  general  municipal law relating to the clearance and  transfer of property owned by the Kingston urban renewal  agency  deemed  necessary  for  the  effectuation of any of the purposes of this chapter  which lies within the Kingston urban renewal area. When the  acquisition  of  such  property  owned  by  the Kingston urban renewal agency, deemed  necessary for highway purposes, would result in consequential damages to  the remaining property owned by the Kingston urban renewal  agency,  the  commissioner  of transportation may acquire such remaining property from  the  Kingston  urban  renewal  agency  and  transfer  the  same  to  the  municipality  upon  payment  by  the  municipality  to  the  state. Such  agreements  may  also  provide  for  the  clearance  of  such  property,  necessary for highway purposes, by the Kingston urban renewal agency and  the  transfer  thereof  to  the  state  upon payment by the state to the  Kingston urban renewal agency of an equitable share of the cost of  such  clearance.    29-b.  The  commissioner of transportation, subject to the approval of  the  division  of  the  budget,  is  hereby  authorized  to  enter  into  cooperative  agreements  with  the  official authorized by the governing  body of the city of Yonkers, relating to the acquisition  and  clearance  of property deemed necessary for the effectuation of any of the purposes  of  this  chapter  which  lies  within  or  immediately  adjacent  to  a  development area, as defined herein, within the city of Yonkers and  the  equitable  sharing  of the costs of such acquisition and clearance. When  the acquisition of such property as  is  deemed  necessary  for  highway  purposes  would result in consequential damages to the owner's remainingproperty and all or a portion of such remaining property lies  within  a  development   area   in   the  city  of  Yonkers,  the  commissioner  of  transportation may acquire such remaining property and transfer the same  to  the city of Yonkers upon payment by such city to the state, pursuant  to the terms of a cooperative agreement  as  herein  authorized,  of  an  equitable  share of the cost of the acquisition of such property and the  clearance  thereof  where  such  clearance  is   deemed   necessary   or  appropriate  by  the commissioner.  Such cooperative agreements may also  provide for the acquisition and clearance of  such  property,  necessary  for highway purposes, by the city of Yonkers and the transfer thereof to  the  state  upon payment by the state to such city of an equitable share  of the cost of such acquisition, and clearance if any. As used  in  this  subdivision the term "development area" shall mean an area adjacent to a  state  highway facility in the city of Yonkers which has been designated  as such by the governing body  of  the  city  of  Yonkers,  on  its  own  initiative, upon a finding that such area is appropriate for development  and  that  it  is  in  the  public  interest  for  the  city  to control  development thereof in conjunction with the state highway facility.    30. Have power, on behalf and in the name of the  state,  whenever  he  deems  it  to  be  necessary  and in the best interests of the state, to  enter into cooperative contracts with any adjoining state, commonwealth,  nation, province, or any agency of the government of the  United  States  for  data  collection, studies, design, construction, reconstruction and  maintenance of state highway connections, including, but not limited to,  border  crossing  facilities,   within   any   such   adjoining   state,  commonwealth,  nation  or province notwithstanding the provisions of any  general, special or local law to the contrary; provided,  however,  that  before  any such contract shall take effect, it shall be approved by the  governor and attorney general  and  thereafter  approved  by  the  state  comptroller  and  filed in his or her office; and further provided, that  such contract shall provide for the manner in which the costs are to  be  borne,  including,  but  not  limited  to,  the cost of data collection,  studies, design, surveys, the preparation of plans  and  specifications,  the   acquisition   of   real  property  required  for  rights  of  way,  construction, reconstruction and maintenance of such highway connections  and bridges thereon and  of  approaches  thereto,  and  border  crossing  facilities,  and  such  other  costs  incidental  thereto.  In no event,  however, shall such contract require any fixed annual payment or subsidy  by the state of New York to any adjoining state, commonwealth, nation or  province for the maintenance or repair of any  such  highway  connection  lying  outside of the state of New York. The costs incurred by the state  pursuant to any such cooperative contracts as authorized herein shall be  payable from appropriations made to the  department  for  the  planning,  construction,  reconstruction and improvement of state highways, with or  without federal aid.    31. Cause signs to be erected and maintained designating the point  of  intersection of each state highway with the "Appalachian Trail".    32.  Have  power, upon the request of a county, city, town or village,  whenever such commissioner deems an existing state  highway  or  portion  thereof  lying within such municipality to be no longer needed or useful  to the state highway  system,  to  enter  into  an  agreement  with  the  appropriate  authorities  of such municipality to abandon by an official  order to such municipality such highway or  portion  thereof.  Upon  the  filing of certified copies of such official order with the county clerk,  the  county  board  of  supervisors  or  county legislative body and the  county finance officer of the county in which  such  municipality  lies,  the   clerk   of  such  municipality,the  appropriate  officer  of  such  municipality having general direction  and  supervision  of  the  publichighways  thereof  and  the  state comptroller, the state shall cease to  maintain such  highway  or  portion  thereof  and  all  the  rights  and  obligations of the state therein shall be turned over and surrendered to  such  municipality  and such highway or portion thereof shall thereafter  be maintained  as  a  part  of  the  highway  or  road  system  of  such  municipality.    33.  Have power, whenever such commissioner of transportation deems it  to be in the best interest of the state and necessary, as  a  result  of  work  authorized  pursuant  to  this  chapter, the transportation law or  chapter six hundred  seventy-eight  of  the  laws  of  nineteen  hundred  twenty-eight,  as  amended,  constituting the grade crossing elimination  act, and upon the request of a public utility  corporation,  to  provide  for  the  removal,  relocation,  replacement or reconstruction of pipes,  mains, wires, poles,  lights,  and  other  similar  facilities  of  such  utility   corporation.   The   expense   of  such  removal,  relocation,  replacement or reconstruction shall be borne  entirely  by  the  utility  corporation  except  so  much  thereof  as  would constitute compensable  damages under any provision  of  law.    Whenever  the  commissioner  of  transportation  shall  approve  such  a  request  of  a  public  utility  corporation, he shall, with the assistance of such utility  corporation,  make  an  estimate  of  the  cost  of  the work which he is requested to  perform in accordance with plans and specifications submitted to him  by  such  utility  corporation.  Such  utility  corporation  shall thereupon  deposit with the state comptroller, who is  authorized  to  receive  and  accept  the  same  for  the purposes of this subdivision, a sum equal to  such  estimate  and  subject  to  the  draft  or  requisition   of   the  commissioner  of transportation. If at any time during the course of the  work the commissioner of transportation deems the sum submitted  by  the  utility  corporation to be insufficient to meet anticipated costs of the  work, he shall  notify  the  utility  corporation  of  such  anticipated  deficiency,  whereupon  the utility company shall deposit with the state  comptroller, who is authorized to receive and accept the same subject to  the draft or requisition of the  commissioner  of  transportation,  such  additional   sum   as   is  deemed  necessary  by  the  commissioner  of  transportation to meet anticipated costs. When the  work  authorized  by  this  subdivision  has been completed the commissioner of transportation  shall render to the utility corporation an itemized statement showing in  full (a) the amount of money that has been  deposited  by  such  utility  company with the state comptroller as hereinbefore provided, and (b) all  disbursements   made   pursuant   to   this   subdivision   including  a  proportionate charge for engineering. Any surplus money shall be paid to  such  utility  company,  without  interest,  on  the  warrant   of   the  comptroller  on  vouchers  therefor  approved  by  the  commissioner  of  transportation.    34. Have power to utilize federal aid to undertake the federal traffic  operations program to increase capacity and safety  on  existing  street  and  highway  systems  in  urban  areas.  Before  any project under such  program is commenced, the city or municipality in which the  improvement  is  to  be  made  shall  consent  to and approve of the project. If such  project requires additional property, the commissioner of transportation  may acquire such property as may be necessary for the purposes  of  this  subdivision,  in the same manner as other property is acquired for state  highway purposes pursuant to this chapter,  and  he  may  enter  into  a  written agreement with the municipality involved to convey such property  as  deemed  necessary  for  the  purposes  of  this  subdivision to such  municipality  on  terms  beneficial  to  the  state.  The  cost  of  the  acquisition of additional property as provided in this subdivision shall  be  a  proper  charge  against  funds available for the project. If suchproject requires the removal,  relocation,  replacement,  alteration  or  reconstruction  of railroad facilities normally used for the maintenance  and  operation  of  the  railroad,  and   including   tracks,   signals,  communication   lines,  electrical  lines,  sewer  lines,  water  lines,  buildings, structures and their appurtenances, he  may  arrange  through  the   railroad   for   the  performance  of  such  removal,  relocation,  replacement, alteration or reconstruction of such facilities as  he  may  deem  necessary.  Such  removal,  relocation, replacement, alteration or  reconstruction of  facilities  may  be  performed  on  property  of  the  railroad  company. If such work requires additional property or if it is  necessary that the consequential relocation of such facilities  be  made  to  other property, he may acquire such property as may be necessary for  the purposes of this subdivision, in the same manner as  other  property  is  acquired for state highway purposes pursuant to this chapter, and he  may enter into a written agreement with the owner of the railroad  lands  to  convey  such  property  as deemed necessary for the purposes of this  subdivision to such owner on terms beneficial to the state. The  expense  of  such  removal, relocation, replacement, alteration or reconstruction  of the railroad facilities and any right  of  way  acquisition  therefor  shall  be  a  proper  charge against funds available for the project and  such work may be performed by contract in the same  manner  as  provided  for  state  highways in article three of this chapter, or, by the use of  departmental forces and equipment and of materials  purchased  therefor.  However,  if  the  commissioner  of transportation deems it to be in the  interest of the public, he may contract with  the  railroad,  upon  such  terms  as  he  may  deem  advantageous  to  the state, to have such work  performed (a) by the employment  of  the  forces  and  the  use  of  the  equipment  of  such  railroad  and by the use of any material on hand or  necessary to be purchased by such railroad or (b) by such  other  method  as  the  commissioner  of  transportation  shall  approve  or  (c)  by a  combination of the  methods  provided  in  this  subdivision,  and  upon  completion  and  acceptance  of the work, such facilities shall be owned  and maintained by  the  railroad.  The  commissioner  and  the  city  or  municipality  in  which  the improvement is to be made are authorized to  enter into any necessary  agreements  to  carry  out  such  projects  in  accordance with the federal standards and criteria.    34-a.  Have  power  to  utilize  federal  aid to undertake federal aid  programs available for highways and bridges not  on  the  state  highway  system.  Before  any  project  under  any such program is commenced, the  governing  body  of  the  county,  city,  town  or  village  which   has  jurisdiction  of the highway or bridge and in which the project is to be  undertaken shall consent to and approve of such project. If any  project  under  any  such  program requires additional property, the commissioner  may, at the request of the governing body  of  the  municipality  having  jurisdiction  of  the  highway or bridge acquire such property as may be  necessary for the purposes of this subdivision, in the  same  manner  as  other  property  is acquired for state highway purposes pursuant to this  chapter and the eminent domain procedure law. Whenever the  commissioner  determines that such project requires additional property, he shall make  an  estimate  of the cost of the property acquisition, in addition to an  estimate of the cost  of  constructing  the  project,  and  submit  such  estimate  to  the  municipality. The cost estimates shall be approved by  the municipality  in  writing  in  the  form  of  a  resolution  of  the  legislative  body  of  the municipality authorizing participation in the  cost of such acquisition and such construction  to  the  extent  of  the  amount  of  the  estimated  cost  to  be borne by the municipality. Such  resolution shall also authorize the municipality to deposit a sum  equal  to   the   municipal  share  of  the  estimated  costs  with  the  statecomptroller.  The  commissioner  shall  not  proceed   with   any   such  acquisition   until  the  municipality  has  deposited  with  the  state  comptroller, who is authorized to receive and accept the  same  for  the  purposes of this subdivision, a sum equal to the amount of such estimate  of  the  cost of acquisition to be borne by the municipality and subject  to the draft or requisition of the commissioner. Before the commissioner  shall proceed with the construction of such project,  such  municipality  shall  deposit  with the state comptroller, who is authorized to receive  and accept the same for the purposes of this subdivision, a sum equal to  the remainder of the amount of the estimated cost to  be  borne  by  the  municipality.  When  the  work  authorized  by this subdivision has been  completed and  the  cost  thereof  has  been  paid  by  the  state,  the  commissioner  shall render to the governing body of such municipality an  itemized statement in accordance with section eighty-b of this  chapter.  The   commissioner   may   enter  into  a  written  agreement  with  the  municipality involved to convey such property as  deemed  necessary  for  the   purposes  of  this  subdivision  to  such  municipality  on  terms  beneficial to the state. The  cost  of  the  acquisition  of  additional  property  as  provided  in  this  subdivision  shall  be a proper charge  against funds available  for  the  project.  The  commissioner  and  the  municipality  in  which  any  such  project  is  to  be  undertaken  are  authorized to enter into any necessary  agreements  to  carry  out  such  projects in accordance with federal standards and criteria.    34-b.  Have power, on behalf and in the name of the state, whenever he  deems it necessary and in the best interests of the state, to enter into  cooperative agreements with any one or several municipalities within the  state for the operation and maintenance of computerized traffic  control  signal  systems extending through, among or between such municipalities,  portions of which systems may be on local roads and  portions  of  which  systems  may  be  on  the  state  highway  system,  notwithstanding  the  provisions of any general, special or local law to  the  contrary.  Such  agreements  shall  provide  for  the  manner  in  which  the work of the  operation and maintenance of such computerized  traffic  control  signal  systems   shall   be  performed,  including  but  not  limited  to,  the  authorization for the forces or agents of a municipality to perform such  work on  the  state  highway  system  for  the  best  overall  efficient  operation  and  maintenance  of the entire system. Such agreements shall  also provide for the manner in which the  costs  of  the  operation  and  maintenance of such computerized traffic control signal systems shall be  borne including but not limited to, the cost of materials, equipment and  labor  necessary  for  the operation and maintenance of such systems and  such other costs incidental thereto. The costs  incurred  by  the  state  pursuant  to  any such cooperative agreements as authorized herein shall  be payable from appropriations made to the department of  transportation  for the operation, and/or maintenance of state highways, with or without  federal  aid.  Such  operation  and  maintenance work to be performed in  accordance with the agreements contemplated herein may be performed  (a)  by  contract  pursuant  to  state  law applicable to the state or to the  municipality letting the contract, or  (b)  by  the  use  of  department  forces  with  equipment  and materials purchased therefor, or (c) by the  use of the forces of any one or several of  the  municipalities  through  which  such  computerized traffic signal systems extend, with the use of  the equipment of such municipality and by the use  of  any  material  on  hand  or necessary to be purchased by any such municipality therefor, or  (d) by such other method as the  commissioner  of  transportation  shall  approve  or  (e) by a combination of such methods. Any such municipality  is  hereby  authorized  to  enter  into  all  necessary  agreements  andcontracts for the purposes of this subdivision, in accordance with state  and/or federal standards and criteria.    35. Have power, subject to the approval of the director of the budget,  whenever  the  commissioner  deems  it to be in the best interest of the  state in connection with an  authorized  or  anticipated  state  highway  construction,  reconstruction  or maintenance project and in conjunction  with an authorized or anticipated city, county, town, village or  public  authority  public  work  project,  and  ancillary thereto, to enter into  agreements with cities, counties, towns, villages or public  authorities  for  the  performance  by  or  on behalf of any such city, county, town,  village or public authority of any work connected with  or  necessitated  by  such  authorized  or  anticipated  construction,  reconstruction  or  maintenance of any part of the state highway system located  within  the  jurisdiction of such city, county, town, village or public authority and  to  make  payments  to  any  such  city, county, town, village or public  authority on account of such work notwithstanding the provisions of  any  general, special or local law to the contrary. The costs incurred by the  state  pursuant  to  any  such  agreements with cities, counties, towns,  villages, or public authorities as authorized herein  shall  be  payable  from  appropriations  made  to  the department of transportation for the  construction, reconstruction and maintenance of state highways  with  or  without  federal aid, and the work authorized herein may be performed by  contract in the same manner as provided in article five-A of the general  municipal law or in the case of public authorities, as provided  in  the  public  authorities  law. Any such city, county, town, village or public  authority is  hereby  authorized  to  enter  into  agreements  with  the  commissioner of transportation for the purposes of this subdivision.    36.  Have  power  to  acquire  property,  in  the same manner as other  property is  acquired  for  state  highway  purposes  pursuant  to  this  chapter, for the purpose of parking facilities and appurtenances thereto  at  or  adjacent  to  transportation  interfaces and connections to such  facilities.    37. Have power, whenever such commissioner of transportation deems  it  feasible  and in the best interests of the state upon the request of the  head of a  state  department,  agency,  institution  or  public  benefit  corporation  to  construct  access  or branch connections from any state  highway to any highway or roadway system of any facility of  such  state  department,  agency,  institution  or public benefit corporation. Before  undertaking such construction, the commissioner  and  the  head  of  the  state  department,  agency,  institution  or  public benefit corporation  shall enter into a written agreement, subject to  the  approval  of  the  director  of  the budget, providing the funds therefor, or reimbursement  by  such  state  department,  agency,  institution  or  public   benefit  corporation  of  the funds therefor, including all costs incurred by the  department in connection with such construction. Where  such  access  or  br	
	











































		
		
	

	
	
	

			

			
		

		

State Codes and Statutes

State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > New-york > Hay > Article-2 > 10

§  10. General powers and duties of the commissioner of transportation  relating to highways. The commissioner of transportation shall:    1. Have general supervision of all  highways  and  bridges  which  are  constructed,  improved  or  maintained in whole or in part by the aid of  state moneys.    2. Cause surveys, maps, plans, specifications and estimates to be made  for the improvement, construction and maintenance of state highways.    2-a. In  consultation  with  the  commissioner  of  commerce  and  the  commissioner   of  parks  and  recreation,  cause  the  preparation  and  distribution of a highway map for the state, including but  not  limited  to a representation of the state highway system, the thruway system, the  principal  bikeways and highway systems of the municipalities within the  state. Such map shall be  intended  to  facilitate  travel  and  promote  tourism  throughout  the  state,  and  shall  not  be  admissible in any  proceeding as proof of ownership, location or condition of the  highways  represented thereon.    3.  Cause investigations and reconnaissance surveys to be made for the  purpose  of  ascertaining  and  determining   the   practicability   and  feasibility  of  extensions  to  the  system  of  state  highways by the  construction of possible branches or cut-offs from  state  highways  for  the  purpose  of affording by-passes around cities, villages and hamlets  of the state to relieve traffic congestion therein,  and  also  for  the  construction  of  additional  routes  to  relieve  traffic congestion on  present  main  routes.  The   expense   of   such   investigations   and  reconnaissance  surveys shall be a proper charge against funds available  for the construction, reconstruction or maintenance of state highways.    4. Approve and determine the final plans, specifications and estimates  for state highways and cause a contract to be let for  the  construction  or improvement of same after due advertisement.    5.  Direct  and  cause to be made such repairs of state highways as he  deems necessary, within the estimates and appropriations made therefor.    6. Cause an inspection and examination to be made of all work on state  highways.    7. Annually cause to be inspected all  improved  state  highways,  and  shall  require a complete report of such inspection which shall show the  condition of the highway inspected, the necessary work to  be  performed  in  the  repair and maintenance of such highways, and the estimated cost  thereof.    8. Approve and certify to the monthly estimates of allowances for work  being performed under any contract let for the construction, improvement  or maintenance of state highways.    9. Prescribe rules and regulations not inconsistent with  law,  fixing  the duties of county and town superintendents in respect to all highways  and  bridges and determining the method of the construction, improvement  or maintenance of such highways and bridges. Such rules and  regulations  shall,  before  taking effect, be printed and transmitted to the highway  officers affected thereby.    9-a. Prescribe rules and regulations not inconsistent with law, fixing  the duties of county and town superintendents, in respect to  oil  spill  control,  pursuant  to  authority  given the commissioner in section one  hundred seventy-seven of the navigation law.    10. Compel compliance with laws, rules  and  regulations  relating  to  highways  and  bridges  by  highway  officers  and see that the same are  carried into full force and effect.    11. Aid  county  and  town  superintendents  in  establishing  grades,  preparing  suitable  systems  of drainage and advise with them as to the  construction, improvement and maintenance of highways and bridges.12. Investigate  and  determine  upon  the  various  methods  of  road  construction  adapted  to different sections of the state, and as to the  best methods of construction and maintenance of highways and bridges.    13.  Compile statistics relating to the public highways throughout the  state, and collect such information in regard thereto as he  shall  deem  expedient.    14.  Cause  public meetings to be held whenever he deems it advisable,  in each district or county, for the purpose of furnishing  such  general  information   and  instructions  as  may  be  necessary,  regarding  the  construction, improvement or maintenance of the highways and bridges and  the application of the highway law, and the rules and regulations of the  department, and also for the purpose of  hearing  complaints.  He  shall  notify  the county engineer or county superintendent of his intention to  hold such meeting  or  meetings,  specifying  the  date  and  the  place  thereof.    15.  Prepare  tables  showing the total number of miles of highways in  the state, by town and county, and file a copy of the same in the office  of the comptroller.    16. Aid at all times in promoting highway improvement  throughout  the  state,  and  perform  such  other  duties  and have such other powers in  respect to highways and bridges as may be imposed or conferred on him by  law.    17. When the corners of the boundaries of counties,  cities,  villages  and  subdivision  lots  of towns shall have been located, as provided in  subdivision ten of section one hundred and  two  of  this  chapter,  the  commissioner  shall  cause  a monument to be accurately set at each such  corner, except in cases where the improvement of such  highway  or  road  has  been completed prior to the location of such corners as provided in  such subdivision. Such monuments shall be of some durable  material  and  shall  be  so  set  that  the  top  thereof shall be on a level with the  surface of such improved highway or road. The cost and expense  of  such  monuments and the setting of the same shall be a state charge.    18. Include in his annual report to the legislature a statement of the  condition  of  the highways and bridges, the progress of the improvement  and maintenance of state highways, county roads and town  highways,  the  amount  of  moneys  received and expended during the year, upon highways  and bridges and such matters, as in his judgment, should be  brought  to  the  attention  of  the legislature, together with recommendations as to  such measures in relation to highways as the public interests require.    19. During the construction or improvement of a state highway, if such  highway be closed to the traveling public and another  existing  highway  is  caused  to  be  used  in  lieu  of the closed highway as provided in  section one hundred  and  four  of  this  chapter,  provide,  erect  and  maintain a sufficient number of detour signs so that the temporary route  or  detour  shall be clearly indicated throughout its entire length, and  upon the discontinuance of said temporary route or detour,  shall  cause  such  signs to be removed, and the cost of all thereof shall be paid out  of  any  funds  available   for   the   construction,   improvement   or  reconstruction of state highways.    20.  Whenever  the  construction  or improvement of a state highway or  section thereof under a  contract  shall  be  completed  and  the  final  payment  therefor  shall have been made, prepare a statement of the cost  of such construction or  improvement,  including  engineering  expenses,  inspection  and  all  charges  and expenses properly chargeable thereto,  showing in detail the date of each payment, and the purpose  and  amount  of such payment. Such payments shall be grouped as far as practicable by  dates  and  the  total  thus  obtained  shall be deemed the cost of such  construction or improvement.21. Provide for the separation of highway-railroad crossings at  grade  under  the  act  known by the short title of "grade crossing elimination  act." He shall also provide for such work as he is authorized to perform  under the provisions of the railroad law, and the portion of the cost of  such work which is payable by the state under section ninety-four of the  railroad  law  shall  be  paid  out  of  any  funds  available  for  the  construction, improvement or reconstruction of state highways.    22. Provide for  the  construction  of  sidewalks  adjacent  to  state  highways  outside of cities and incorporated villages, when he is of the  opinion the  same  are  necessary.  He  shall  have  full  authority  to  determine the type, width, location with respect to the highway, and the  general  construction  details  of  such  sidewalks. The expense of such  construction shall be a proper charge against funds  available  for  the  construction, reconstruction or maintenance of state highways.    23.  Provide  for  the  installation and maintenance of lights on such  state highways as he is of the opinion are  necessary.  The  expense  of  such installation and maintenance shall be a proper charge against funds  available  for  the construction, reconstruction or maintenance of state  highways.    24. Have power, whenever such commissioner of transportation deems  it  is  necessary  as  a  result  of work of construction, reconstruction or  maintenance of state highways, to provide at the expense  of  the  state  for  the  removal,  relocation,  replacement and reconstruction of water  mains, sewer pipes, communication systems, fire  alarm  systems,  street  lighting,  traffic control systems and any other similar facilities that  are owned by any municipality and are maintained for public use  and  to  participate  in  the expense of the removal, relocation, replacement and  reconstruction of all other types of facilities or  parts  thereof  that  are  owned  by  any  municipality and are maintained for public use, the  state's share of such expense not to exceed the appraised value of  such  facilities  or  parts  thereof, as the case may be, as determined by the  commissioner  of  transportation.  However,  in  connection   with   any  federally funded highway project, the commissioner of transportation may  agree  to  pay  an  amount not to exceed the state's share, based on its  proportionate share of the cost of the entire highway  project,  of  the  functional  replacement cost of any of the aforesaid facilities owned by  any  municipal  corporation,  school  district,  board  of   cooperative  educational  services,  public benefit corporation or any other state or  municipal governmental agency where the federal government agrees to pay  its share of such functional replacement cost, which shall be  based  on  its  proportionate share of the cost of the entire project. If such work  requires additional property or if it is necessary that  the  relocation  of  such  facilities  be  made  to  other  property, he may acquire such  property as may be necessary for the purposes of  this  subdivision,  in  the same manner as other property is acquired for state highway purposes  pursuant to this chapter, and he may enter into a written agreement with  the  municipality  involved  to convey such property as deemed necessary  for the purposes of this  subdivision  to  such  municipality  on  terms  beneficial  to  the  state.  The  expense  of  such removal, relocation,  replacement and reconstruction or the state's share thereof, as the case  may be, shall be  a  proper  charge  against  funds  available  for  the  construction,  reconstruction or maintenance of state highways, and such  work may be performed by contract in the same  manner  as  provided  for  state  highways  in  article  three  of  this chapter, or, by the use of  departmental forces and equipment and of materials  purchased  therefor.  However,  if  the  commissioner  of transportation deems it to be in the  interest of the public, he may contract with the municipality, upon such  terms as he may deem advantageous  to  the  state,  to  have  such  workperformed  (a)  by  the  employment  of  the  forces  and the use of the  equipment of such municipality and by the use of any material on hand or  necessary to be purchased by such municipality  or  (b)  by  such  other  method  as such commissioner of transportation shall approve or (c) by a  combination of the  methods  provided  in  this  subdivision.  Any  such  municipality  is  hereby  authorized to enter into such contract for the  purposes of this subdivision. In all  cases  pursuant  to  this  section  where  the  state  is to pay part of the expense of removal, relocation,  replacement and reconstruction of any facilities  that  are  municipally  owned  and  that  are  maintained  for  public  use, the commissioner of  transportation, if he deems it in the best interest of  the  state,  may  offer  to  remove,  relocate, replace or reconstruct such facilities and  may  prepare  plans,  specifications  and  estimates  of  cost  of  such  projects,  together  with  an estimate of the share of the expense to be  borne by the municipality, which shall be  submitted  to  the  governing  board  of  such  municipality.  If the municipality approves such plans,  specifications and estimates of cost and share of the expense, it  shall  by  resolution  appropriate  the funds necessary to pay its share of the  expense. A certified copy of the resolution  shall  be  filed  with  the  commissioner  of  transportation  and with the state comptroller and the  funds shall, prior to the award of  a  contract,  be  deposited  by  the  municipality  with  the  state  comptroller  subject  to  the  draft  or  requisition of the commissioner of transportation. Upon  the  completion  and  acceptance  of  the work such facilities shall be maintained by the  municipality. As used in this subdivision, the term "municipality" shall  include a public water authority.    24-a. Have power, whenever such commissioner of  transportation  deems  it  is  necessary as a result of work of construction, reconstruction or  maintenance of state highways to provide for  the  removal,  relocation,  replacement  and  reconstruction  of any facilities of the United States  government. The expense of such  removal,  relocation,  replacement  and  reconstruction  shall be a proper charge against funds available for the  construction, reconstruction or maintenance of state highways, and  such  work  may  be  performed  by contract in the same manner as provided for  state highways in article three of  this  chapter,  or  by  the  use  of  departmental  forces  and equipment and of materials purchased therefor.  Upon the completion and acceptance of the work  done  pursuant  to  this  subdivision  such  facilities  shall  be maintained by the United States  government.    24-b. Have power, whenever such commissioner of  transportation  deems  it  is  necessary as a result of work of construction, reconstruction or  maintenance of state highways, to provide for the  removal,  relocation,  replacement  or  reconstruction  of privately, publicly or cooperatively  owned water, storm and sewer lines and facilities,  facilities  for  the  transmission  and/or distribution of communications, power, electricity,  light, heat, gas, crude products, steam and other  similar  commodities,  municipal  utility  facilities, or facilities of a corporation organized  pursuant to the transportation corporations  law  that  are  located  on  privately  owned  property. If such work requires additional property or  if it is necessary that the relocation of such  facilities  be  made  to  other property, he may acquire such property as may be necessary for the  purposes  of  this  subdivision, in the same manner as other property is  acquired for state highway purposes pursuant to this chapter, and he and  the owner of such facilities may  enter  into  a  written  agreement  to  convey  such  property  as  deemed  necessary  for  the purposes of this  subdivision to such owner on terms beneficial to the state. The  expense  of  such  removal, relocation, replacement or reconstruction and cost of  property acquisition shall be a proper charge  against  funds  availablefor  the  construction, reconstruction or maintenance of state highways.  Except when  such  facilities  are  owned  by  a  corporation  organized  pursuant  to  the  transportation  corporations  law,  the  work of such  removal, relocation, replacement or reconstruction shall be performed by  contract  in  the  same manner as provided for state highways in article  three of this chapter,  or,  by  the  use  of  departmental  forces  and  equipment  and  of materials purchased therefor, unless the commissioner  of transportation consents  to  having  the  owner  of  such  facilities  provide  for  the  work  of  such  removal,  relocation,  replacement or  reconstruction. In the  case  where  such  facilities  are  owned  by  a  corporation  organized  pursuant to the transportation corporations law,  the work of such  removal,  relocation,  replacement  or  reconstruction  shall  be  provided for by such corporation unless it consents to having  the commissioner of transportation provide for such work to be performed  by  contract,  in  accordance  with  specifications  provided  by   such  corporation,  in  the  same  manner  as  provided  for state highways in  article three of this chapter, or, by the use of departmental forces and  equipment and of materials purchased therefor. Upon  the  completion  of  the work, such facilities shall be maintained by the owners thereof.    In  the  event  that the commissioner of transportation, in connection  with the work of construction, reconstruction or  maintenance  of  state  highways,  encounters  such facilities, other than facilities owned by a  corporation organized pursuant to the transportation corporations law or  operating as a transportation corporation that are  located  within  the  highway  right-of-way,  he  may  provide  for  the  removal, relocation,  replacement  or  reconstruction  of  such  facilities  as  he  deems  it  necessary.  To  the extent the commissioner determines it equitable, the  expense of such removal, relocation, replacement or reconstruction shall  be a  proper  charge  against  funds  available  for  the  construction,  reconstruction   or  maintenance  of  state  highways  pursuant  to  the  provisions of this subdivision, and such  work  shall  be  performed  by  contract  in  the  same manner as provided for state highways in article  three of this chapter,  or,  by  the  use  of  departmental  forces  and  equipment  and  of materials purchased therefor, unless the commissioner  of transportation consents  to  having  the  owner  of  such  facilities  provide  for  the  work  of  such  removal,  relocation,  replacement or  reconstruction. In the event that  the  commissioner  of  transportation  determines prior to undertaking such removal, relocation, replacement or  reconstruction  that the owner of such facilities is responsible for all  or any portion of such expense he shall enter into a  written  agreement  with  such  owner, for the purpose of providing funding, and the deposit  with the state comptroller of  such  funds  as  are  determined  by  the  commissioner  to  be sufficient to provide for such owner's share of the  expenses. The state comptroller is authorized to receive and accept such  funds subject to  a  draft  or  requisition  from  the  commissioner  of  transportation.  If  the  funds deposited with the state comptroller are  subsequently determined by the commissioner to be insufficient  to  meet  such owner's share, the owner shall in every case be responsible for any  balance  due.  When  such  work  has been completed, the commissioner of  transportation shall render an accounting to the owner, and any  surplus  moneys  shall be paid to such owner, without interest, on the warrant of  the comptroller on vouchers therefor approved  by  the  commissioner  of  transportation.  Upon  completion  of the work, such facilities shall be  maintained by the owners thereof.    In the event that the commissioner of  transportation,  in  connection  with  the  work  of construction, reconstruction or maintenance of state  highways, encounters such facilities of a corporation organized pursuant  to the transportation corporations law or operating as a  transportationcorporation  that  are located within the highway right-of-way, he shall  provide compensation for the fair and reasonable cost  of  the  removal,  relocation,  replacement  or  reconstruction of such facilities provided  the following conditions are met:    (a) the project for which such facilities are to be removed, relocated  or  replaced  or  reconstructed must be federally funded and the cost of  such removal, relocation, replacement or reconstruction are  a  part  of  the approved project cost by the appropriate federal authorities; and    (b)  such  compensation shall be provided only: (i) for the interstate  category of projects; and (ii) for the other categories of projects only  when a specific appropriation has been made for such purpose; and    (c) for those  categories  for  which  compensation  is  provided  the  commissioner of transportation shall reimburse the corporation at a rate  not  less than the rate of reimbursement as the state shall receive from  the federal government; and    (d) such corporation enters into an agreement with the commissioner of  transportation in connection  with  undertaking  the  work  of  removal,  relocation, replacement or reconstruction which shall specify the amount  or  the basis of compensation that is to be provided toward the fair and  reasonable  cost   of   such   removal,   relocation,   replacement   or  reconstruction.    The  fair and reasonable cost of such removal, relocation, replacement  or reconstruction shall mean the  amount  paid  by  such  a  corporation  properly   attributable   to  the  work  of  such  removal,  relocation,  replacement  or  reconstruction  of  such  facilities  after   deducting  therefrom  any  betterment incorporated into the new facilities plus the  salvage value and depreciation from the old facility determined  by  the  established  methods  utilized by the state. Nothing in this subdivision  shall be construed to grant to the  owner  of  such  private  facilities  within the highway right-of-way any greater or new rights, other than as  provided herein, to compensation for removals, relocations, replacements  or  reconstructions  of  such  facilities  in  connection  with  work of  construction, reconstruction  or  maintenance  of  state  highways  that  existed prior to the effective date of the amendment to this subdivision  and  compensation  to  be paid hereunder is strictly limited as provided  herein.    24-c. Have power, whenever such commissioner of  transportation  deems  it  necessary  as  a  result  of  work  of construction, reconstruction,  improvement or maintenance of state highways, including  the  separation  of  highway-railroad  crossings,  pursuant  to  this  chapter,  and  the  construction or reconstruction of highway-railroad crossings  at  grade,  to  provide  for  the  removal,  relocation, replacement, alteration and  reconstruction of railroad facilities normally used for the  maintenance  and   operation   of   the   railroad  and  including  tracks,  signals,  communication  lines,  electrical  lines,  sewer  lines,  water   lines,  buildings, structures and their appurtenances. Such removal, relocation,  replacement, alteration or reconstruction of facilities may be performed  on  property  of  the railroad company. If such work requires additional  property or if it is necessary that the consequential relocation of such  facilities be made to other property, he may acquire  such  property  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  purposes  of this subdivision, in the same  manner as other property is acquired for state highway purposes pursuant  to this chapter, and he may enter into  a  written  agreement  with  the  owner  of the railroad lands to convey such property as deemed necessary  for the purposes of this subdivision to such owner on  terms  beneficial  to  the  state.  The  expense  of such removal, relocation, replacement,  alteration or reconstruction and right of way  acquisition  shall  be  a  proper   charge   against   funds   available   for   the  construction,reconstruction, improvement or maintenance of state highways,  and  such  work  may  be  performend by contract in the same manner as provided for  state highways in article three of this  chapter,  or,  by  the  use  of  departmental  forces  and equipment and of materials purchased therefor.  However, if the commissioner of transportation deems it  to  be  in  the  interest  of  the  public,  he may contract with the railroad, upon such  terms as he may deem advantageous  to  the  state,  to  have  such  work  performed  (a)  by  the  employment  of  the  forces  and the use of the  equipment of such railroad and by the use of any  material  on  hand  or  necessary  to  be purchased by such railroad or (b) by such other method  as such commissioner  of  transportation  shall  approve  or  (c)  by  a  combination  of  the  methods provided in this subdivision. In the event  that the commissioner of transportation and the railroad are  unable  to  agree upon the terms of such contract, the commissioner shall notify the  railroad,  in  writing,  of  his  intent to issue an order directing the  railroad to have such work performed as required of its  forces  and  to  permit  entry  upon  railroad  lands  of  employees  and  agents  of the  department of transportation in  order  to  perform  such  work  as  the  commissioner  of transportation shall deem necessary. The railroad shall  have thirty days after the receipt of such notification in which it  may  request  a  hearing  before  the  commissioner  of  transportation.  The  commissioner of transportation shall give the  railroad  notice  of  not  less  than ten days of the time and place scheduled for such hearing. If  a hearing is not requested or if, after such hearing is held,  agreement  between  the  parties is not reached, the commissioner of transportation  may issue such order directing the railroad to have such work performed.  Such order shall require the railroad to submit an estimate of the  cost  of  work  required  of  its  forces  including the material necessary to  perform  such  work,  which  cost,  subject  to  the  approval  of   the  commissioner  of  transportation,  shall  be  reimbursed by the state in  accordance with the terms of such order. Such order shall  also  include  terms  protecting the railroad in the safe and uninterrupted maintenance  and operation of said railroad during the performance  of  any  work  on  railroad   lands   by   employees   and  agents  of  the  department  of  transportation, if their entry upon railraod  lands  for  such  work  is  deemed  necessary  by  the commissioner of transportation as hereinabove  provided. Upon the completion and acceptance of the work such facilities  shall be owned and maintained by the railroad.    24-d. Have power, whenever such commissioner of  transportation  deems  it  is  necessary as a result of work of construction, reconstruction or  maintenance of state highways, to provide for  the  re-establishment  of  private  access  to  a  public  road  where  such access is destroyed by  acquisition of right of way for the project. If such re-establishment of  private access requires additional property or if it is  necessary  that  such  re-establishment  of  private access be made to other property, he  may acquire such property as may be necessary for the purposes  of  this  subdivision,  in the same manner as other property is acquired for state  highway purposes pursuant to this chapter,  and  he  may  enter  into  a  written  agreement  with the owner of such private access to convey such  property as deemed necessary for the purposes  of  this  subdivision  to  such  owner  on  terms  beneficial  to  the  state.  The expense of such  re-establishment of private access shall  be  a  proper  charge  against  funds  available  for the construction, reconstruction or maintenance of  state highways, and such work may be performed by contract in  the  same  manner  as provided for state highways in article three of this chapter,  or, by the use of departmental forces and  equipment  and  of  materials  purchased  therefor,  or  by  a  combination  of  such methods. Upon thecompletion of the work, such  re-established  private  access  shall  be  maintained by the owners thereof.    25.  Have  power  to combine, connect, alter, relocate, terminate, and  pave intersecting highways, roads or streets  and  to  provide  drainage  therefor;  to divert traffic from an existing highway, road or street to  an existing or a new highway, road or street, and to  provide,  when  he  deems  it  to  be  in  the  interest  of  public  safety, for a suitable  structure or structures across highways to accommodate  at  an  adjusted  grade the continuity of such highways, roads or streets by an under-pass  or  over-pass,  and  to adjust grades and traffic to such structures; to  plan, designate, construct, alter, improve and vacate frontage, marginal  and service roads, in connection with the development of any  controlled  access  facility;  and  to acquire such property as may be necessary for  the purposes of this subdivision, in the same manner as  other  property  is  acquired  for  state  highway purposes pursuant to this chapter. The  cost of the work and of the acquisition of property as provided in  this  subdivision  shall  be  a  proper charge against funds available for the  construction, reconstruction or improvement of state highways. Any  such  frontage,  marginal  or service road or portion of intersecting highway,  road or  street  upon  which  such  work  is  completed  shall,  if  not  determined  by  the  commissioner  of transportation to be a part of the  state  highway  system,  be  maintained  by  the  municipality  or   the  municipalities  in which such frontage, marginal or service road or such  portion of intersecting highway, road or street is located, except  that  if the intersecting highway, road or street or the frontage, marginal or  service  road  is  under the jurisdiction of an authority, commission or  other public agency, said portion thereof shall, if  not  determined  by  the  commissioner  of  transportation  to be a part of the state highway  system, be maintained as  determined  jointly  by  the  commissioner  of  transportation  and  the  chairman  or  chief  executive  officer of the  authority, commission or other public agency.    26. Provide for  the  separation  of  highway-railroad  crossings  and  construction  of  highway-railroad  crossings  at  grade  where  in  the  construction or reconstruction of any part of the state highway  system,  or  county  roads  with federal-aid, or where highways, roads or streets  are combined, connected, altered or relocated pursuant to this  section,  an additional crossing of a railroad is made at a place where no highway  grade  crossing  exists.  In  the  discretion  of  the  commissioner  of  transportation,   and   in   connection   with   the   construction   or  reconstruction  of any part of the state highway system, a structure may  be constructed to eliminate an existing crossing at grade of a  railroad  and  a  state highway or of a railroad and a highway which intersects or  closely parallels a state highway. The  commissioner  of  transportation  may  also,  in connection with the construction or reconstruction of any  part of the state highway system,  or  county  roads  with  federal-aid,  provide  for  the reconstruction of existing highway-railroad separation  structures or highway-railroad crossings at grade on  any  part  of  the  state  highway  system,  or  on  county  roads  with  federal-aid, or on  highways, roads or streets combined, connected,  altered,  or  relocated  pursuant to this section.    The   cost  of  construction  or  reconstruction  of  such  separation  facilities or grade crossings,  including  the  cost  of  such  crossing  protection as is ordered by the commissioner of transportation, shall be  a  proper  charge  against  funds  available  for  the  construction  or  reconstruction of state highways or county roads.    Notwithstanding the provisions of section ninety-three of the railroad  law, structures hereafter constructed or reconstructed pursuant to  this  subdivision to separate the grade of railroads and any part of the statehighway  system  shall  be  maintained upon completion as follows: (a) A  structure and its supports which carries railroad tracks over the  state  highway  shall  be  maintained  and  repaired  by the operating railroad  corporation  or  corporations.  (b)  A  structure and its supports which  carries a state highway over railroad tracks  shall  be  maintained  and  repaired  by  the  state.  This maintenance provision shall not apply to  structures  constructed  or  reconstructed  pursuant  to  section  three  hundred forty-b, three hundred forty-d and three hundred forty-nine-c of  this chapter.    26-a.  Have  power, whenever such commissioner of transportation deems  it to be in the best interest of the state, in connection with work upon  certain bridges for which  the  maintenance  responsibility  is  divided  between  the  state  and  a  railroad  corporation,  where  such work is  authorized pursuant to this chapter or the transportation law  and  upon  the   request   of   the   railroad  corporation,  to  provide  for  the  reconstruction,  repair  or  alteration  of  bridge  structures,  bridge  supports,  bridge  approaches  or  any  other bridge parts which are the  maintenance responsibility of such railroad corporation. The expense  of  such reconstruction, repair or alteration shall be borne entirely by the  railroad   corporation  except  so  much  thereof  as  would  constitute  compensable  damages  under  any  provision   of   law.   Whenever   the  commissioner  of  transportation  shall  approve  such  a  request  of a  railroad corporation, he shall, with the  assistance  of  such  railroad  corporation,  make  an  estimate  of  the  cost  of the work which he is  requested  to  perform  in  accordance  with  plans  and  specifications  submitted  to him by the railroad corporation. Such railroad corporation  shall thereupon deposit with the state comptroller, who is authorized to  receive and accept the same for the purposes of this subdivision, a  sum  equal  to  such  estimate and subject to the draft or requisition of the  commissioner of transportation. If at any time during the course of  the  work  the  commissioner of transportation deems the sum submitted by the  railroad corporation to be insufficient to meet anticipated costs of the  work, he shall notify  the  railroad  corporation  of  such  anticipated  deficiency,  whereupon  the  railroad corporation shall deposit with the  state comptroller, who is authorized to  receive  and  accept  the  same  subject   to   the   draft   or   requisition  of  the  commissioner  of  transportation, such additional  sum  as  is  deemed  necessary  by  the  commissioner  of transportation to meet anticipated costs. When the work  authorized by this subdivision has been completed  the  commissioner  of  transportation  shall  render  to  the  railroad corporation an itemized  statement showing in  full  (a)  the  amount  of  money  that  has  been  deposited  by  such  railroad  corporation with the state comptroller as  hereinbefore provided, and (b) all disbursements made pursuant  to  this  subdivision  including  a  proportionate  charge  for  engineering.  Any  surplus money shall  be  paid  to  such  railroad  corporation,  without  interest,  on  the  warrant  of  the  comptroller  on  vouchers therefor  approved by the commissioner of transportation.    26-b. Have power, whenever the commissioner of transportation deems it  in the best interests of the  state  to  do  so  and  with  the  written  permission  of  the railroad corporation charged with the responsibility  for  maintaining  such  structure,  in  connection  with   construction,  reconstruction  or  maintenance  of  state  highways, to provide for the  removal  and  disposition,  on  terms  beneficial  to  the   state,   of  highway-railroad grade separation structures which are no longer used or  useful for railroad purposes.    27. Have power, upon the request of a municipality, to perform for and  at  the  expense  of  such  municipality,  any  work  of construction or  reconstruction, including the  removal  and  relocation  of  facilities,provided  the  commissioner  of  transportation  deems it practicable to  perform  such  work  for  such  municipality  in  connection  with   the  performance  of  any work of construction, reconstruction or improvement  under  the  provisions  of  this  chapter.  Whenever the commissioner of  transportation shall approve such a request of a municipality, he  shall  make  an  estimate of the cost of the work which he is requested by such  municipality to perform in  accordance  with  plans  and  specifications  submitted  to  him by such municipality, which cost estimates, plans and  specifications shall be approved by the municipality in  writing  before  the commissioner of transportation shall proceed with any such municipal  work.   Such   municipality  shall  thereupon  deposit  with  the  state  comptroller, who is authorized to receive and accept the  same  for  the  purposes  of  this subdivision, a sum equal to such estimate and subject  to the draft or  requisition  of  the  commissioner  of  transportation.  Provided,  however,  that nothing contained in this subdivision shall be  construed to prevent the commissioner of transportation from  proceeding  with   the   state   work,  incorporating  the  work  requested  by  the  municipality in accordance with cost estimates, plans and specifications  approved by such municipality, if he determines it to be  necessary  and  in  the best interest of the state to do so. When the work authorized by  this subdivision has been completed and the cost thereof shall have been  paid by the state, the commissioner of transportation  shall  render  to  the governing body of such municipality an itemized statement showing in  full   (a)  the  amount  of  money  that  has  been  deposited  by  such  municipality with the state comptroller as  hereinbefore  provided,  and  (b)  all  disbursements  made  pursuant to this subdivision. Any surplus  money shall  be  paid  to  such  municipality  on  the  warrant  of  the  comptroller  on  vouchers  therefor  approved  by  the  commissioner  of  transportation. In the event, upon the completion of the work authorized  by  this  subdivision,  it  is  determined  by   the   commissioner   of  transportation that the amount of the cost to be borne by a municipality  is in excess of the amount deposited by such municipality with the state  comptroller,  then, in such event, such municipality shall within ninety  days  of  the  receipt  of  the  notice   from   the   commissioner   of  transportation  of  the  amount  of  the  deficiency  required  to fully  compensate the state for the municipality's cost of such work, pay  such  amount  to  the state comptroller. As used in this subdivision, the term  "municipality" shall include a public benefit corporation.    28. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter or any  other  law,  the  commissioner  of  transportation  is authorized to use either  exclusively for, or in conjunction with, for state purposes as set forth  in this chapter any state owned property under his jurisdiction acquired  for other public purposes. Transfer of such use shall be effected by  an  official  order of the commissioner of transportation to be filed in the  offices of the department of transportation and  of  the  department  of  state,  accompanied  by  a  description  and  map  of  such  property as  prescribed by an applicable section of this chapter. When the use is  to  be  exclusively for the state purposes as set forth in this chapter then  upon such filing of the description, map and official order of  transfer  of use, the property shall be used and maintained for the state purposes  as set forth in this chapter and be governed as though the said property  was  acquired  pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. When dual use  is to be made of such property for the state purposes as  set  forth  in  this  chapter and other public purposes by the state, the official order  of transfer shall so certify, and upon such filing of  the  description,  map  and  official  order  of  transfer,  the property shall be used and  maintained for such dual purposes, and shall be governed either by  this  chapter  or  the  law  under  which  jurisdiction  was  acquired  by thecommissioner of transportation or both as determined by the commissioner  of transportation and as will best effectuate the said dual use of  such  property.  The  provisions  of  this  subdivision shall not apply to any  property, the use of which is restricted by the state constitution.    29. The commissioner of transportation, subject to the approval of the  division  of  the budget, is hereby authorized to enter into cooperative  agreements with  municipalities  or  municipal  urban  renewal  agencies  established  and  organized pursuant to article fifteen-a of the general  municipal law relating to the  acquisition  and  clearance  of  property  deemed  necessary  for  the  effectuation of any of the purposes of this  chapter which lies within or immediately adjacent to  an  urban  renewal  area,  as  defined  in the general municipal law, in such municipalities  and to the equitable sharing  of  the  costs  of  such  acquisition  and  clearance.  When the acquisition of such property as is deemed necessary  for highway purposes  would  result  in  consequential  damages  to  the  owner's  remaining  property  and  all  or  a  portion of such remaining  property lies within an  urban  renewal  area  in  a  municipality,  the  commissioner  of  transportation may acquire such remaining property and  transfer the same to the municipality or municipal urban renewal  agency  upon  payment by the municipality or such municipal urban renewal agency  to the state, pursuant to the terms of a cooperative agreement  as  here  in  authorized,  of an equitable share of the cost of the acquisition of  such property and the clearance thereof where such clearance  is  deemed  necessary   or   appropriate   by  the  commissioner.  Such  cooperative  agreements may also provide for the acquisition and  clearance  of  such  property,  necessary  for  highway  purposes,  by  the  municipality  or  municipal urban renewal agency and the transfer  thereof  to  the  state  upon payment by the state to the municipality or municipal urban renewal  agency  of  an  equitable  share  of  the  cost of such acquisition, and  clearance if any.    29-a. The commissioner of transportation, subject to the  approval  of  the  division  of  the  budget,  is  hereby  authorized  to  enter  into  agreements with the Kingston urban renewal agency as defined in  article  fifteen-a  of  the  general  municipal law relating to the clearance and  transfer of property owned by the Kingston urban renewal  agency  deemed  necessary  for  the  effectuation of any of the purposes of this chapter  which lies within the Kingston urban renewal area. When the  acquisition  of  such  property  owned  by  the Kingston urban renewal agency, deemed  necessary for highway purposes, would result in consequential damages to  the remaining property owned by the Kingston urban renewal  agency,  the  commissioner  of transportation may acquire such remaining property from  the  Kingston  urban  renewal  agency  and  transfer  the  same  to  the  municipality  upon  payment  by  the  municipality  to  the  state. Such  agreements  may  also  provide  for  the  clearance  of  such  property,  necessary for highway purposes, by the Kingston urban renewal agency and  the  transfer  thereof  to  the  state  upon payment by the state to the  Kingston urban renewal agency of an equitable share of the cost of  such  clearance.    29-b.  The  commissioner of transportation, subject to the approval of  the  division  of  the  budget,  is  hereby  authorized  to  enter  into  cooperative  agreements  with  the  official authorized by the governing  body of the city of Yonkers, relating to the acquisition  and  clearance  of property deemed necessary for the effectuation of any of the purposes  of  this  chapter  which  lies  within  or  immediately  adjacent  to  a  development area, as defined herein, within the city of Yonkers and  the  equitable  sharing  of the costs of such acquisition and clearance. When  the acquisition of such property as  is  deemed  necessary  for  highway  purposes  would result in consequential damages to the owner's remainingproperty and all or a portion of such remaining property lies  within  a  development   area   in   the  city  of  Yonkers,  the  commissioner  of  transportation may acquire such remaining property and transfer the same  to  the city of Yonkers upon payment by such city to the state, pursuant  to the terms of a cooperative agreement  as  herein  authorized,  of  an  equitable  share of the cost of the acquisition of such property and the  clearance  thereof  where  such  clearance  is   deemed   necessary   or  appropriate  by  the commissioner.  Such cooperative agreements may also  provide for the acquisition and clearance of  such  property,  necessary  for highway purposes, by the city of Yonkers and the transfer thereof to  the  state  upon payment by the state to such city of an equitable share  of the cost of such acquisition, and clearance if any. As used  in  this  subdivision the term "development area" shall mean an area adjacent to a  state  highway facility in the city of Yonkers which has been designated  as such by the governing body  of  the  city  of  Yonkers,  on  its  own  initiative, upon a finding that such area is appropriate for development  and  that  it  is  in  the  public  interest  for  the  city  to control  development thereof in conjunction with the state highway facility.    30. Have power, on behalf and in the name of the  state,  whenever  he  deems  it  to  be  necessary  and in the best interests of the state, to  enter into cooperative contracts with any adjoining state, commonwealth,  nation, province, or any agency of the government of the  United  States  for  data  collection, studies, design, construction, reconstruction and  maintenance of state highway connections, including, but not limited to,  border  crossing  facilities,   within   any   such   adjoining   state,  commonwealth,  nation  or province notwithstanding the provisions of any  general, special or local law to the contrary; provided,  however,  that  before  any such contract shall take effect, it shall be approved by the  governor and attorney general  and  thereafter  approved  by  the  state  comptroller  and  filed in his or her office; and further provided, that  such contract shall provide for the manner in which the costs are to  be  borne,  including,  but  not  limited  to,  the cost of data collection,  studies, design, surveys, the preparation of plans  and  specifications,  the   acquisition   of   real  property  required  for  rights  of  way,  construction, reconstruction and maintenance of such highway connections  and bridges thereon and  of  approaches  thereto,  and  border  crossing  facilities,  and  such  other  costs  incidental  thereto.  In no event,  however, shall such contract require any fixed annual payment or subsidy  by the state of New York to any adjoining state, commonwealth, nation or  province for the maintenance or repair of any  such  highway  connection  lying  outside of the state of New York. The costs incurred by the state  pursuant to any such cooperative contracts as authorized herein shall be  payable from appropriations made to the  department  for  the  planning,  construction,  reconstruction and improvement of state highways, with or  without federal aid.    31. Cause signs to be erected and maintained designating the point  of  intersection of each state highway with the "Appalachian Trail".    32.  Have  power, upon the request of a county, city, town or village,  whenever such commissioner deems an existing state  highway  or  portion  thereof  lying within such municipality to be no longer needed or useful  to the state highway  system,  to  enter  into  an  agreement  with  the  appropriate  authorities  of such municipality to abandon by an official  order to such municipality such highway or  portion  thereof.  Upon  the  filing of certified copies of such official order with the county clerk,  the  county  board  of  supervisors  or  county legislative body and the  county finance officer of the county in which  such  municipality  lies,  the   clerk   of  such  municipality,the  appropriate  officer  of  such  municipality having general direction  and  supervision  of  the  publichighways  thereof  and  the  state comptroller, the state shall cease to  maintain such  highway  or  portion  thereof  and  all  the  rights  and  obligations of the state therein shall be turned over and surrendered to  such  municipality  and such highway or portion thereof shall thereafter  be maintained  as  a  part  of  the  highway  or  road  system  of  such  municipality.    33.  Have power, whenever such commissioner of transportation deems it  to be in the best interest of the state and necessary, as  a  result  of  work  authorized  pursuant  to  this  chapter, the transportation law or  chapter six hundred  seventy-eight  of  the  laws  of  nineteen  hundred  twenty-eight,  as  amended,  constituting the grade crossing elimination  act, and upon the request of a public utility  corporation,  to  provide  for  the  removal,  relocation,  replacement or reconstruction of pipes,  mains, wires, poles,  lights,  and  other  similar  facilities  of  such  utility   corporation.   The   expense   of  such  removal,  relocation,  replacement or reconstruction shall be borne  entirely  by  the  utility  corporation  except  so  much  thereof  as  would constitute compensable  damages under any provision  of  law.    Whenever  the  commissioner  of  transportation  shall  approve  such  a  request  of  a  public  utility  corporation, he shall, with the assistance of such utility  corporation,  make  an  estimate  of  the  cost  of  the work which he is requested to  perform in accordance with plans and specifications submitted to him  by  such  utility  corporation.  Such  utility  corporation  shall thereupon  deposit with the state comptroller, who is  authorized  to  receive  and  accept  the  same  for  the purposes of this subdivision, a sum equal to  such  estimate  and  subject  to  the  draft  or  requisition   of   the  commissioner  of transportation. If at any time during the course of the  work the commissioner of transportation deems the sum submitted  by  the  utility  corporation to be insufficient to meet anticipated costs of the  work, he shall  notify  the  utility  corporation  of  such  anticipated  deficiency,  whereupon  the utility company shall deposit with the state  comptroller, who is authorized to receive and accept the same subject to  the draft or requisition of the  commissioner  of  transportation,  such  additional   sum   as   is  deemed  necessary  by  the  commissioner  of  transportation to meet anticipated costs. When the  work  authorized  by  this  subdivision  has been completed the commissioner of transportation  shall render to the utility corporation an itemized statement showing in  full (a) the amount of money that has been  deposited  by  such  utility  company with the state comptroller as hereinbefore provided, and (b) all  disbursements   made   pursuant   to   this   subdivision   including  a  proportionate charge for engineering. Any surplus money shall be paid to  such  utility  company,  without  interest,  on  the  warrant   of   the  comptroller  on  vouchers  therefor  approved  by  the  commissioner  of  transportation.    34. Have power to utilize federal aid to undertake the federal traffic  operations program to increase capacity and safety  on  existing  street  and  highway  systems  in  urban  areas.  Before  any project under such  program is commenced, the city or municipality in which the  improvement  is  to  be  made  shall  consent  to and approve of the project. If such  project requires additional property, the commissioner of transportation  may acquire such property as may be necessary for the purposes  of  this  subdivision,  in the same manner as other property is acquired for state  highway purposes pursuant to this chapter,  and  he  may  enter  into  a  written agreement with the municipality involved to convey such property  as  deemed  necessary  for  the  purposes  of  this  subdivision to such  municipality  on  terms  beneficial  to  the  state.  The  cost  of  the  acquisition of additional property as provided in this subdivision shall  be  a  proper  charge  against  funds available for the project. If suchproject requires the removal,  relocation,  replacement,  alteration  or  reconstruction  of railroad facilities normally used for the maintenance  and  operation  of  the  railroad,  and   including   tracks,   signals,  communication   lines,  electrical  lines,  sewer  lines,  water  lines,  buildings, structures and their appurtenances, he  may  arrange  through  the   railroad   for   the  performance  of  such  removal,  relocation,  replacement, alteration or reconstruction of such facilities as  he  may  deem  necessary.  Such  removal,  relocation, replacement, alteration or  reconstruction of  facilities  may  be  performed  on  property  of  the  railroad  company. If such work requires additional property or if it is  necessary that the consequential relocation of such facilities  be  made  to  other property, he may acquire such property as may be necessary for  the purposes of this subdivision, in the same manner as  other  property  is  acquired for state highway purposes pursuant to this chapter, and he  may enter into a written agreement with the owner of the railroad  lands  to  convey  such  property  as deemed necessary for the purposes of this  subdivision to such owner on terms beneficial to the state. The  expense  of  such  removal, relocation, replacement, alteration or reconstruction  of the railroad facilities and any right  of  way  acquisition  therefor  shall  be  a  proper  charge against funds available for the project and  such work may be performed by contract in the same  manner  as  provided  for  state  highways in article three of this chapter, or, by the use of  departmental forces and equipment and of materials  purchased  therefor.  However,  if  the  commissioner  of transportation deems it to be in the  interest of the public, he may contract with  the  railroad,  upon  such  terms  as  he  may  deem  advantageous  to  the state, to have such work  performed (a) by the employment  of  the  forces  and  the  use  of  the  equipment  of  such  railroad  and by the use of any material on hand or  necessary to be purchased by such railroad or (b) by such  other  method  as  the  commissioner  of  transportation  shall  approve  or  (c)  by a  combination of the  methods  provided  in  this  subdivision,  and  upon  completion  and  acceptance  of the work, such facilities shall be owned  and maintained by  the  railroad.  The  commissioner  and  the  city  or  municipality  in  which  the improvement is to be made are authorized to  enter into any necessary  agreements  to  carry  out  such  projects  in  accordance with the federal standards and criteria.    34-a.  Have  power  to  utilize  federal  aid to undertake federal aid  programs available for highways and bridges not  on  the  state  highway  system.  Before  any  project  under  any such program is commenced, the  governing  body  of  the  county,  city,  town  or  village  which   has  jurisdiction  of the highway or bridge and in which the project is to be  undertaken shall consent to and approve of such project. If any  project  under  any  such  program requires additional property, the commissioner  may, at the request of the governing body  of  the  municipality  having  jurisdiction  of  the  highway or bridge acquire such property as may be  necessary for the purposes of this subdivision, in the  same  manner  as  other  property  is acquired for state highway purposes pursuant to this  chapter and the eminent domain procedure law. Whenever the  commissioner  determines that such project requires additional property, he shall make  an  estimate  of the cost of the property acquisition, in addition to an  estimate of the cost  of  constructing  the  project,  and  submit  such  estimate  to  the  municipality. The cost estimates shall be approved by  the municipality  in  writing  in  the  form  of  a  resolution  of  the  legislative  body  of  the municipality authorizing participation in the  cost of such acquisition and such construction  to  the  extent  of  the  amount  of  the  estimated  cost  to  be borne by the municipality. Such  resolution shall also authorize the municipality to deposit a sum  equal  to   the   municipal  share  of  the  estimated  costs  with  the  statecomptroller.  The  commissioner  shall  not  proceed   with   any   such  acquisition   until  the  municipality  has  deposited  with  the  state  comptroller, who is authorized to receive and accept the  same  for  the  purposes of this subdivision, a sum equal to the amount of such estimate  of  the  cost of acquisition to be borne by the municipality and subject  to the draft or requisition of the commissioner. Before the commissioner  shall proceed with the construction of such project,  such  municipality  shall  deposit  with the state comptroller, who is authorized to receive  and accept the same for the purposes of this subdivision, a sum equal to  the remainder of the amount of the estimated cost to  be  borne  by  the  municipality.  When  the  work  authorized  by this subdivision has been  completed and  the  cost  thereof  has  been  paid  by  the  state,  the  commissioner  shall render to the governing body of such municipality an  itemized statement in accordance with section eighty-b of this  chapter.  The   commissioner   may   enter  into  a  written  agreement  with  the  municipality involved to convey such property as  deemed  necessary  for  the   purposes  of  this  subdivision  to  such  municipality  on  terms  beneficial to the state. The  cost  of  the  acquisition  of  additional  property  as  provided  in  this  subdivision  shall  be a proper charge  against funds available  for  the  project.  The  commissioner  and  the  municipality  in  which  any  such  project  is  to  be  undertaken  are  authorized to enter into any necessary  agreements  to  carry  out  such  projects in accordance with federal standards and criteria.    34-b.  Have power, on behalf and in the name of the state, whenever he  deems it necessary and in the best interests of the state, to enter into  cooperative agreements with any one or several municipalities within the  state for the operation and maintenance of computerized traffic  control  signal  systems extending through, among or between such municipalities,  portions of which systems may be on local roads and  portions  of  which  systems  may  be  on  the  state  highway  system,  notwithstanding  the  provisions of any general, special or local law to  the  contrary.  Such  agreements  shall  provide  for  the  manner  in  which  the work of the  operation and maintenance of such computerized  traffic  control  signal  systems   shall   be  performed,  including  but  not  limited  to,  the  authorization for the forces or agents of a municipality to perform such  work on  the  state  highway  system  for  the  best  overall  efficient  operation  and  maintenance  of the entire system. Such agreements shall  also provide for the manner in which the  costs  of  the  operation  and  maintenance of such computerized traffic control signal systems shall be  borne including but not limited to, the cost of materials, equipment and  labor  necessary  for  the operation and maintenance of such systems and  such other costs incidental thereto. The costs  incurred  by  the  state  pursuant  to  any such cooperative agreements as authorized herein shall  be payable from appropriations made to the department of  transportation  for the operation, and/or maintenance of state highways, with or without  federal  aid.  Such  operation  and  maintenance work to be performed in  accordance with the agreements contemplated herein may be performed  (a)  by  contract  pursuant  to  state  law applicable to the state or to the  municipality letting the contract, or  (b)  by  the  use  of  department  forces  with  equipment  and materials purchased therefor, or (c) by the  use of the forces of any one or several of  the  municipalities  through  which  such  computerized traffic signal systems extend, with the use of  the equipment of such municipality and by the use  of  any  material  on  hand  or necessary to be purchased by any such municipality therefor, or  (d) by such other method as the  commissioner  of  transportation  shall  approve  or  (e) by a combination of such methods. Any such municipality  is  hereby  authorized  to  enter  into  all  necessary  agreements  andcontracts for the purposes of this subdivision, in accordance with state  and/or federal standards and criteria.    35. Have power, subject to the approval of the director of the budget,  whenever  the  commissioner  deems  it to be in the best interest of the  state in connection with an  authorized  or  anticipated  state  highway  construction,  reconstruction  or maintenance project and in conjunction  with an authorized or anticipated city, county, town, village or  public  authority  public  work  project,  and  ancillary thereto, to enter into  agreements with cities, counties, towns, villages or public  authorities  for  the  performance  by  or  on behalf of any such city, county, town,  village or public authority of any work connected with  or  necessitated  by  such  authorized  or  anticipated  construction,  reconstruction  or  maintenance of any part of the state highway system located  within  the  jurisdiction of such city, county, town, village or public authority and  to  make  payments  to  any  such  city, county, town, village or public  authority on account of such work notwithstanding the provisions of  any  general, special or local law to the contrary. The costs incurred by the  state  pursuant  to  any  such  agreements with cities, counties, towns,  villages, or public authorities as authorized herein  shall  be  payable  from  appropriations  made  to  the department of transportation for the  construction, reconstruction and maintenance of state highways  with  or  without  federal aid, and the work authorized herein may be performed by  contract in the same manner as provided in article five-A of the general  municipal law or in the case of public authorities, as provided  in  the  public  authorities  law. Any such city, county, town, village or public  authority is  hereby  authorized  to  enter  into  agreements  with  the  commissioner of transportation for the purposes of this subdivision.    36.  Have  power  to  acquire  property,  in  the same manner as other  property is  acquired  for  state  highway  purposes  pursuant  to  this  chapter, for the purpose of parking facilities and appurtenances thereto  at  or  adjacent  to  transportation  interfaces and connections to such  facilities.    37. Have power, whenever such commissioner of transportation deems  it  feasible  and in the best interests of the state upon the request of the  head of a  state  department,  agency,  institution  or  public  benefit  corporation  to  construct  access  or branch connections from any state  highway to any highway or roadway system of any facility of  such  state  department,  agency,  institution  or public benefit corporation. Before  undertaking such construction, the commissioner  and  the  head  of  the  state  department,  agency,  institution  or  public benefit corporation  shall enter into a written agreement, subject to  the  approval  of  the  director  of  the budget, providing the funds therefor, or reimbursement  by  such  state  department,  agency,  institution  or  public   benefit  corporation  of  the funds therefor, including all costs incurred by the  department in connection with such construction. Where  such  access  or  br