349-C - Design, construction, and payment of costs.

§   349-c.   Design,   construction,   and   payment   of   costs.  1.  Notwithstanding the provisions of any general, special or local law, the  commissioner of transportation is authorized and  empowered  to  prepare  designs,  plans,  specifications  and  estimates  for  the construction,  reconstruction or improvement (1) of any extension  or  continuation  of  any highway or route which is now or which shall hereafter be authorized  by  section  three  hundred  forty-one  of this chapter, upon any public  street or streets in any city outside of the city of New York, which are  now or which shall hereafter be designated in this article, and  (2)  of  any existing or proposed main routes or thoroughfares in the city of New  York;  all of which are designated in this article. Such designs, plans,  specifications and estimates may be prepared (a) by  the  department  of  transportation; (b) by any city herein named, if the preparation of such  designs,  plans,  specifications and estimates are authorized in advance  by the commissioner of transportation  and  then  upon  such  terms  and  conditions   as  may  be  agreed  by  and  between  such  city  and  the  commissioner of transportation; (c)  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  director  of  the  budget,  by  the  employment  of private engineers or  engineering firms;  or  (d)  by  a  combination  of  such  methods.  The  commissioner of transportation may, in his discretion, provide or direct  that  there  be  provided  in  such  designs,  plans, specifications and  estimates, such  roadside  and  landscape  development,  including  such  sanitary  and  other facilities as may be deemed reasonably necessary to  accommodate the public; provided however that such development is within  the bounds of any property acquired  for  purposes  connected  with  the  highway  system  of  the state of New York pursuant to this chapter, and  any adjacent publicly owned or controlled recreational areas of  limited  size  and  with  provision  for  convenient  and  safe access thereto by  pedestrian and vehicular traffic. All references  hereinafter  contained  in  this  article to the construction of facilities and appurtenances of  state highways, or to a section or sections of the arterial system,  may  be  deemed  to  include the development and facilities mentioned in this  paragraph.    2. With relation to any city named in this article, but not  including  the city of New York:    2.1. The commissioner is authorized to provide in such designs, plans,  specifications   and   estimates,   for   bridges,  culverts,  drainage,  shoulders, gutters,  curbs,  sidewalks  and  any  other  facilities  and  appurtenances as he may determine.    2.2.  The  commissioner  shall  construct, reconstruct or improve such  extensions   or   continuations,   including   said    facilities    and  appurtenances,  in  the  same manner as other state highways, facilities  and appurtenances are constructed, reconstructed and  improved  pursuant  to  this  chapter.  After designs, plans and specifications thereof have  been completed and approved by the city and the commissioner,  the  city  may,  however,  elect  to construct such section or sections and acquire  property therefor at its own expense in the manner provided by the  city  charter  or  otherwise.  For  all  the  purposes  of  this  section, the  jurisdiction of the commissioner shall extend over the  entire  property  affected  by  the  provisions  hereof,  as  such  jurisdiction  has been  obtained, or as such jurisdiction may hereafter be obtained pursuant  to  the   provisions   of  this  chapter.  Such  sidewalks,  facilities  and  appurtenances  shall  be  maintained  or  shall  be  continued   to   be  maintained,  as  the case may be, by the city in which they are located,  or by the agency or unit  owning  or  having  control  and  jurisdiction  thereof.    2.3.  The  governing  body  of any city named in section three hundred  forty-nine-e of this article may apply to the commissioner for a  changein  such designation of a public street or streets within the boundaries  of such city, and the commissioner may grant such  application,  and  in  case  such  application is granted, the additional costs and expenses of  the  acquisition  of  property and legal damages caused thereby, and the  additional  costs  and  expenses  of  construction,  reconstruction   or  improvement  of  the  public  street  or  streets  as  requested in such  application shall, pursuant to written agreement, be paid by  such  city  to  the state. The monies so required shall be raised by tax or pursuant  to the local finance law or in accordance with any local charter or law,  as the case may be, and such funds shall be deposited and be subject  to  requisition  in the manner as herein provided in case a greater width or  different type of construction is desired by such city.    2.4. A state highway may be constructed or reconstructed  through  any  such city, of such width and type of construction as the commissioner of  transportation  shall  deem  proper, unless a greater width or different  type of construction  is  desired  by  such  city,  in  which  case  the  governing body of such city may apply to the commissioner to provide the  width  and type of construction desired. The commissioner may grant such  application, if he deems the filing of such application  to  be  timely,  and  the  additional  costs  and  expenses  of  such  width  and type of  construction, or either of them, shall, pursuant to  written  agreement,  be  paid by such city to the state. Whenever the commissioner shall have  granted such an  application  the  designs,  plans,  specifications  and  estimates  of  cost,  together  with  an estimate showing the additional  costs and expenses to be borne by such city, to provide for the  greater  width  or  different type of construction or both, shall be submitted to  the governing body of such city which,  if  it  approves  such  designs,  plans,   specifications  and  estimate  of  cost,  shall  by  resolution  appropriate the funds necessary to provide for the portion of the  costs  and expenses of construction to be borne by such city. Such funds shall,  prior  to  the  advertisement for bids for or including the said greater  width or different type of construction, be deposited by such city  with  the  state  comptroller  subject  to  the  draft  or  requisition of the  commissioner, and a certified copy of such  resolution  shall  be  filed  with  the  state  comptroller  and  with the commissioner. The monies so  required shall be raised by tax or pursuant to the local finance law  or  in  accordance  with  any local charter or law, as the case may be. Upon  the completion of a highway within such city  where  a  portion  of  the  costs and expenses are borne by the city the commissioner shall transmit  to  the governing body of such city a statement showing the actual costs  and expenses of the additional width or changed construction including a  proportionate charge for engineering, and shall notify  the  city  clerk  that  he  will  accept the work within twenty days from the date of such  notice, unless protest in writing against the acceptance shall be  filed  by  such  clerk  with  the  commissioner. In case a protest is filed the  commissioner shall hear the same and if it is sustained the commissioner  shall delay the acceptance of the highway or section thereof  until  the  same  be  properly  completed.  If  no  protest  is filed the highway or  section thereof shall at the expiration  of  the  said  twenty  days  be  deemed  finally  completed  and  accepted on behalf of such city and the  state. The provisions of any general or special  laws  relative  to  the  pavement or improvement of streets and the assessment and payment of the  cost  thereof  shall  apply,  as  far  as  may  be,  to  such additional  construction and the assessment and payment of the cost thereof,  except  that  the  provisions of any general or local act affecting the pavement  or improvement of streets or avenues in any such city and requiring  the  owners,  or any of the owners, of the frontage on a street to consent to  the improvement or pavement thereof, or requiring a hearing to be  givento  the  persons  whose  premises  are  subject  to assessment, upon the  question of doing such paving or making such improvement shall not apply  to the portion of the improvement or pavement of  a  state  highway  the  expense for which is required to be paid by such city to the state.    2.5.  Whenever the commissioner deems it necessary to acquire property  for the purpose of  widening  any  such  designated  street,  he  shall,  transmit  the  plans generally describing the proposed location for said  street to the governing body of  such  city  in  which  such  designated  street  or  any  portion  thereof is located. The governing body of such  city, after the receipt of such plans may conduct a  public  hearing  or  hearings  upon such notice as such governing body shall deem reasonable,  but not less than ten days, to the commissioner and to such other  party  or  parties  deemed  by  said  governing  body  to  be interested in the  project. In any event and within sixty days or within such other  period  of  time  as  may  be  provided by the provisions of the charter of such  city, after the receipt of such plans, the said governing body shall, by  resolution,  duly  adopted  by  its  members,  approve,  disapprove   or  recommend  modifications  in  such  plans  as  the public interest shall  require. Within ten days after the adoption of the resolution, the clerk  of such governing body shall  mail  a  certified  copy  thereof  to  the  commissioner. The commissioner shall not proceed with the designs, plans  and  specifications  unless such city in which such designated street or  portion thereof is located approves the plans generally  describing  the  proposed  location.  Before  filing  the  description  and  the original  tracing of any map, or proceeding with the acquisition of such  property  or   the  work  of  construction,  reconstruction  or  improvement,  the  commissioner shall transmit the designs, plans  and  specifications  for  the  construction,  reconstruction  or  improvement  of the extension or  continuation upon said street to the governing  body  of  such  city  in  which  such  designated  street  or  any portion thereof is located. The  governing body of such city, after the receipt of  such  designs,  plans  and  specifications,  may conduct a public hearing or hearings upon such  notice as such governing body shall deem reasonable, but not  less  than  ten  days, to the commissioner and to such other party or parties deemed  by said governing body to be interested in the project. In any event and  within sixty days or within such other period of time as may be provided  by the provisions of the charter of such city, after the receipt of  the  designs,  plans,  and  specifications, the said governing body shall, by  resolution,  duly  adopted  by  its  members,  approve,  disapprove   or  recommend modifications in such designs, plans and specifications as the  public interest shall require. Within ten days after the adoption of the  resolution, the clerk of such governing body shall mail a certified copy  thereof  to  the  commissioner.  The  form  of  the  resolution shall be  prescribed by the  commissioner.  In  case  such  governing  body  shall  disapprove  the  designs,  plans  and  specifications, without proposing  modifications, the commissioner may,  in  his  discretion,  prepare  and  submit  to  such  governing  body  for approval other designs, plans and  specifications, for the construction, reconstruction or  improvement  of  the  extension or continuation within the bounds of such city, or in his  discretion he may proceed with the work of construction,  reconstruction  or improvement within and confined to the existing width of the pavement  of  said  designated  street  in  the  affected  location.  In case such  governing body shall disapprove the designs, plans  and  specifications,  and  shall  recommend  modifications,  the  commissioner may approve the  designs, plans and  specifications,  so  modified,  or  recommend  other  modifications  for approval, and said extension or continuation shall be  constructed, reconstructed or improved in accordance with such  designs,  plans  and  specifications, as finally approved. When the designs, plansand specifications for construction, reconstruction or improvement of an  extension or continuation as aforesaid have  finally  been  approved  as  hereunder  provided,  no  resolution thereafter adopted by the governing  body  of  such city shall rescind, annul or modify such prior resolution  either directly or indirectly, excepting upon the advice  and  with  the  consent  of  the  commissioner.  Upon  the  failure  or  omission of the  governing body of any such city to act within the time and manner herein  required the said designs, plans and specifications shall be  deemed  to  be approved so far as such governing body is concerned.    2.6.  Any property which is deemed by the commissioner to be necessary  to carry out the provisions of this section, shall be  acquired  by  him  pursuant  to  the eminent domain procedure law and applicable provisions  of section thirty of this chapter, except that the function of the board  of supervisors as to approval of controlled access shall be exercised by  the governing  body  of  the  city.  The  costs  and  expenses  of  such  acquisition  of  property  and any liability incurred by reason thereof,  including legal damages caused by such acquisition and by  the  work  of  constructing,   reconstructing   or   improving   such   extensions  and  continuations,  including  legal  damages  caused  by   such   work   of  construction,  reconstruction  or  improving, all as provided in section  thirty of this chapter, shall be paid by the  state,  provided  however,  that  with  respect  to  any  such  acquisition  made on or before March  thirty-first, nineteen hundred sixty-five only, such costs and  expenses  shall  be  paid by the state in the first instance and shall be borne as  follows: fifty per centum by the state and fifty per centum by such city  affected thereby.    2.6-a.  Whenever  the  commissioner  determines  that   any   property  heretofore  or  hereafter  acquired  pursuant  to the provisions of this  section is no longer necessary for any of the purposes for which it  was  acquired, he may, subject to compliance with section four hundred six of  the  eminent  domain procedure law and notwithstanding the provisions of  any general, special, or local law, dispose of such property by sale  or  exchange  upon terms beneficial to the state; provided, however, that on  highways where access is not controlled, such disposal of such  property  shall  not thereby deprive an abutting owner of frontage on such highway  immediately in front of his abutting land. If any such sale or  exchange  be  made  to or with a person who was the owner of property appropriated  for such highway, the consideration therefor may  be,  in  whole  or  in  part,  a  release  by such former owner of any claim he may have against  the state by reason of such appropriation of his property. In  order  to  carry  any  such sale or exchange into effect the commissioner is hereby  authorized to execute and deliver for and on behalf and in the  name  of  the  people  of  the  state  of  New  York and under his official seal a  quitclaim deed of such property. Such deed  shall  be  prepared  by  the  attorney general and before delivery thereof shall be approved by him as  to  form  and manner of execution. The total amount of the consideration  passing to the state  for  any  such  conveyance  shall  be  apportioned  between  the  state and the city in which such highway is located in the  same ratio in which the costs and expenses of the  acquisition  of  such  property  was  borne  by  the state and such city and the amount thereof  apportioned to such city and exceeding any amount owing from  such  city  to the state pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be paid to  such   city   out   of   monies   appropriated   for  the  construction,  reconstruction  or  improvement  of  state  highways.  The   amount   of  consideration  paid  in  cash  for any conveyance hereinabove authorized  shall be paid into the  state  treasury  and  credited  to  the  capital  construction funds.2.7.  If  any  such  property  shall be so acquired on or before March  thirty-first, nineteen hundred sixty-five, in  any  such  city  for  the  purpose  of  this  section, before such property shall be so acquired in  such city for the  purpose  of  this  section,  the  commissioner  shall  transmit  to  the  governing  body  of such city an estimate showing the  proportionate costs and expenses of such acquisition as such  costs  and  expenses  are specified in section thirty of this chapter, whereupon and  within ninety days after the transmittal  of  said  estimate  such  city  shall  (a)  by resolution, appropriate the funds shown in said estimate,  (b) deposit such funds with the state comptroller subject to  the  draft  or  requisition  of  the  commissioner,  and  (c)  file  a  copy  of the  resolution with the state comptroller and with  the  commissioner.  Upon  the  completion  of  a  highway  within such city where a portion of the  costs and expenses of the acquisition of the property are borne  by  the  city, the commissioner shall transmit to the governing body of such city  a statement showing the actual costs and expenses of such acquisition as  hereinbefore  mentioned,  and  shall notify the city clerk of the amount  due from or to be returned to the city, as the case may be. Any sum  due  the state shall be paid by such city within sixty days after the date of  the transmittal of said statement and the funds therefor shall be raised  by  tax  or pursuant to the local finance law, or in accordance with any  local charter or law, as the  case  may  be.  If  it  is  determined  by  resolution  of  the  governing  body  of  such  city  that the financial  condition of such city would be adversely affected by the payment in one  lump sum of the full amount of its share of the costs  and  expenses  of  right  of  way acquisition, the commissioner, subject to the approval of  the director of the budget, and such city acting through  the  mayor  or  other  administrative head thereof, pursuant to the aforesaid resolution  of the governing body of such city,  are  authorized  to  enter  into  a  written  agreement  extending  the repayment by the city of its share of  such right of way costs and expenses advanced by the state in the  first  instance,  by  providing  for  such repayment to be made by equal annual  installments without  interest,  payable  by  such  city  to  the  state  comptroller  on or before April first of each year and in no event shall  such period of repayment to the state  exceed  the  term  of  ten  years  provided  however,  that  during the term of repayment any such city may  elect to pay the balance owing  to  the  state  in  full  or  make  such  additional  payment  or  payments and at such time or times as it may so  propose. The director of the budget shall not approve the  extension  of  repayment to the state by such city of its share of any additional right  of  way  costs  and expenses advanced by the state in the first instance  until such time as the state comptroller shall certify to  the  director  of  the budget that all monies previously owed to the state by such city  in accordance with the provisions of this  article  have  been  paid  in  full.  Whenever  such city shall fail to make an installment payment due  in accordance with the provisions of such repayment agreement, the state  comptroller thereupon shall cause to be withheld  from  state-collected,  locally-shared  taxes  or  state aid whichever he shall determine and to  which such city  would  otherwise  be  entitled,  a  sum  sufficient  to  reimburse the state for the amount due and owing the state in accordance  with such repayment agreement. Such monies so withheld shall be credited  by the state comptroller against the amount payable to the state by such  city in accordance with the provision of such repayment agreement.    3. With relation to the city of New York:    3.1.  For  convenience  of  design,  acquisition  of  property and for  purposes of construction,  reconstruction  or  improvement,  such  state  arterial  system  in  the  city  of New York (hereinafter called "city")  shall be divided into such sections as may be agreed by and between  thecommissioner  and  the  city  planning commission. Funds that are now or  that shall hereafter be made available to pay the costs and expenses  of  design,  acquisition  of  property,  and construction of the uncompleted  portions  of such system, may be used to pay the said costs and expenses  in connection with a section or sections of such system as  agreed  from  time  to  time  by  the city and the commissioner. The city may elect in  advance to prepare designs, plans, specifications and estimates of  cost  for  any  such  section  or  sections  of  such  system,  as hereinafter  provided.    3.2. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general, special  or  local  law,  designs,  plans,  specifications  and  estimates  of  cost for the  uncompleted portions of the system may be prepared wholly or  partly  by  the  commissioner  or  by  the  appropriate  city  agency  if  the  said  commissioner shall approve or, subject to the approval of  the  director  of the budget, by private architectural or engineering firms selected by  the  said  commissioner.  The  preparation  of  any such designs, plans,  specifications and estimates of cost by the  city  shall  be  undertaken  only  when  specifically  authorized in advance by the commissioner. The  costs and expenses thereof shall be paid out of funds now  or  hereafter  available  for  such  purposes.  Such designs, plans, specifications and  estimates of costs shall require the approval of the city in the  manner  provided  by  the  city charter and administrative code. The appropriate  city department or agency may prepare designs, plans, specifications and  estimates of cost at the cost and expense of the city for  any  part  of  such system which such city elects to construct at its own expense.    3.3.   Any   property   which   is   deemed  by  the  commissioner  of  transportation to be necessary to  carry  out  the  provisions  of  this  article  shall  be  acquired  and  may be disposed of by him pursuant to  applicable provisions of the eminent domain procedure  law  and  section  thirty  of  this  chapter,  except  that  the  function  of  the  county  legislative body as to approval of controlled access shall be  exercised  by  the  governing  body  of  the  city.  Nothing in this section shall,  however, preclude the city from acquiring, subject to the  city  charter  and  administrative code, all or any part of the property needed for the  system in the event that sufficient state funds are not available and it  is deemed desirable by the city to acquire title  promptly  to  expedite  completion  of  all  or  parts  of the system, but no liability shall be  created thereby or deemed to have been assumed  by  the  state  in  such  event.    * 3.4.  The  state shall proceed with the construction of a section or  sections  of  said  system  after  designs,  plans,  specifications  and  estimates  of  cost thereof have been completed and approved by the city  and the commissioner of transportation, and the necessary  property  has  been acquired. The city may, however, elect to construct such section or  sections  at  its own expense in the manner provided by the city charter  or otherwise. Upon the completion by the state of a section or  sections  of  parkways  constructed  by  the  state  in  the city of New York, the  commissioner  of  transportation  shall  by  official   order   transfer  jurisdiction  over  the  central  express  artery and adjacent landscape  areas and over adjacent service roads to the city of New York. All  such  parkways,  excepting  such service roads shall be maintained by the city  department of transportation as parkways restricted to pleasure vehicles  and without access except at designated points,  except  that  the  city  department  of  transportation  may adopt a rule permitting the use of a  portion of the Grand Central  parkway  between  the  Robert  F.  Kennedy  bridge  and  the western leg of the Brooklyn-Queens expressway by single  unit commercial vehicles having no more than three axles and ten  tires;  provided  further  that,  contingent upon a fully executed memorandum ofunderstanding between the New York state  department  of  transportation  and  the  New York city department of environmental protection, the city  department of transportation may adopt a rule permitting the use of  the  Korean  War  Veterans  parkway  during the remediation of the Brookfield  landfill on Staten Island by not  more  than  forty-ton  motor  vehicles  commonly  classified as construction trucks owned and/or operated by the  department of environmental protection of the  city  of  New  York,  its  agents  or  contractors  for  the  purpose  of  the  remediation of such  landfill, provided that such trucks comply with all other provisions  of  applicable  state  and local law. Parkway service roads shall be open to  mixed  traffic.  Upon  the  completion  of  a  section  or  sections  of  expressways  including incidental service roads constructed by the state  in the city of  New  York,  the  commissioner  of  transportation  shall  transfer  jurisdiction  to  the city of New York. The provisions of this  article in regard  to  design  and  construction  shall  apply  also  to  reconstruction of a section or sections of the state arterial system.    * NB Effective until August 16, 2011    * 3.4.  The  state shall proceed with the construction of a section or  sections  of  said  system  after  designs,  plans,  specifications  and  estimates  of  cost thereof have been completed and approved by the city  and the commissioner of transportation, and the necessary  property  has  been acquired. The city may, however, elect to construct such section or  sections  at  its own expense in the manner provided by the city charter  or otherwise. Upon the completion by the state of a section or  sections  of  parkways  constructed  by  the  state  in  the city of New York, the  commissioner  of  transportation  shall  by  official   order   transfer  jurisdiction  over  the  central  express  artery and adjacent landscape  areas and over adjacent service roads to the city of New York. All  such  parkways,  excepting  such service roads shall be maintained by the city  department of transportation as parkways restricted to pleasure vehicles  and without access except at designated points,  except  that  the  city  department  of  transportation  may adopt a rule permitting the use of a  portion of the Grand Central  parkway  between  the  Robert  F.  Kennedy  bridge  and  the western leg of the Brooklyn-Queens expressway by single  unit commercial vehicles having no more than three axles and ten  tires.  Parkway  service  roads  shall  be  open  to  mixed  traffic.  Upon  the  completion of a section or sections of expressways including  incidental  service  roads  constructed  by  the  state in the city of New York, the  commissioner of transportation shall transfer jurisdiction to  the  city  of  New  York.  The  provisions  of this article in regard to design and  construction shall apply also to reconstruction of a section or sections  of the state arterial system.    * NB Effective August 16, 2011    3.5. No change shall be made in the basic plans of the state  arterial  system in the city which will affect adversely the integrity of the said  expressways  and  parkways  in such system by abandoning or relocating a  section or sections or by adding new entrances or exits, or by providing  crossings at grade or traffic  lights,  other  than  on  service  roads,  without approval in writing by the commissioner.    3.6.  Nothing  herein  contained shall affect the powers and duties of  the mayor, the city planning commission and other city  departments  and  agencies  with  respect to the acquisition, construction, reconstruction  and control of such state arterial system in the city, except as  herein  otherwise  specifically  provided, and nothing contained in this article  shall be deemed to supersede, change or  postpone  arrangements  by  the  federal  and state governments with the city of New York to expedite the  post-war arterial improvements within the city with federal,  state  and  city  funds  made  available  for this purpose. Nothing herein containedshall be construed to alter or in any way change the character  and  use  of marginal streets and the rights of the city therein.    4.  Unless  otherwise  expressly  provided,  nothing contained in this  section shall be deemed to be a modification, limitation or exclusion of  any existing, amendatory or supplemental provisions of this  chapter  or  of  any  other  statute  now or hereafter to be enacted, relating to the  improvement, construction, reconstruction or maintenance  of  any  state  highway with necessary facilities and appurtenances, with federal aid.    5.  The  costs  and expenses of (a) all preliminary work including the  preparation of designs, maps, plans,  specifications  and  estimates  of  cost;   (b)   construction,   reconstruction  or  improvement  including  resurfacing or the construction, reconstruction or  improvement  of  any  sidewalk  because  of a change of grade; (c) the acquisition of property  as defined and  authorized  in  section  thirty  of  this  chapter;  (d)  reconstruction  that  is  undertaken  subsequent  to the construction or  improvement herein provided, shall all be deemed to be  a  part  of  the  cost  of construction and reconstruction of state highways, and shall be  paid from funds available therefor; and  the  cost  of  maintenance  and  repair  as  hereinafter provided, shall be paid from funds available for  maintenance and repair of highways; all on the audit and warrant of  the  state   comptroller   on   vouchers  approved  by  the  commissioner  of  transportation.  The  costs  and  expenses  of  reconstruction  of   any  structure  that separates highway-railroad grades and, in the discretion  of the commissioner of transportation, the costs  and  expenses  of  the  elimination  of  an  existing  highway-railroad crossing at grade shall,  pursuant to a certificate of availability of funds therefor which  shall  have been approved by the director of the budget, be deemed to be a part  of  the  cost  of  construction,  reconstruction or improvement of state  highways and shall, in cases provided in this subdivision,  be  paid  by  the state as part of the cost thereof. Any property that may be required  in connection with such work of construction or reconstruction, shall be  acquired  by  the  procedure provided in section thirty of this chapter,  and the cost and expenses of such acquisition of property as defined  in  this article shall be paid as provided in this article. The commissioner  of  transportation may make an agreement with a railroad corporation for  the performance by such railroad corporation of any work of construction  or reconstruction of  such  grade  separation  structure  and  necessary  facilities  and appurtenances and for reimbursement by the state to such  railroad corporation for  the  cost  and  expense  of  such  work.  Such  agreement  may  provide that such work may be done by (1) the forces and  with the equipment of such railroad corporation, or (2)  by  such  other  method as such commissioner of transportation shall approve, or (3) by a  combination  of such methods, as such commissioner of transportation may  deem to be for the best interests of the state. When a  structure  which  carries  a  railroad  over  an  arterial  highway,  or  which carries an  arterial highway over a railroad,  is  completed,  the  bridge  and  its  supports  shall be maintained and repaired by the agency responsible for  the maintenance of the highway.    6.  The  costs  of  all  such  work  of  preparing   designs,   plans,  specifications  and estimates shall be paid out of funds that are now or  that  shall  hereafter  be  made   available   for   the   construction,  reconstruction   or  improvement  of  state  highways,  subject  to  the  provisions of this chapter relating to federal aid or to any  grants  or  contributions  relating  to  federal  aid, as such provisions, grants or  contributions  are  now  or  shall  hereafter  be  enacted  or  be  made  available;  and  payment  shall  be made on the audit and warrant of the  comptroller on vouchers approved by the commissioner.7. The commissioner of transportation  and  any  city  named  in  this  article,  acting through the mayor or other administrative head thereof,  pursuant to a resolution of the governing body of such city  except  the  city  of  New York, are authorized to enter into a written agreement for  the  maintenance  and  repair,  under the supervision and subject to the  approval of the commissioner,  of  any  public  street,  main  route  or  thoroughfare or portion thereof, exclusive of service roads and pavement  on  intersecting  street bridges, which is within the boundaries of such  city and which is now or which shall hereafter  be  designated  in  this  article  and  which  has  been  constructed  or  which  shall  have been  constructed as authorized by articles four and twelve-B of this  chapter  and with grants made available by the federal government pursuant to the  federal aid highway act of nineteen hundred forty-four, being public law  five  hundred  twenty-one  of  the  seventy-eighth congress, chapter six  hundred twenty-six, second session, as approved on the twentieth day  of  December,  nineteen  hundred forty-four. Such agreement may provide that  the state shall pay annually to such city a sum to be  computed  at  the  rate  of  (a)  not  more  than  eighty-five cents per square yard of the  pavement area that is included in the state highway system according  to  the  provisions  of  this  section,  and (b) an additional ten cents per  square yard of such pavement area where such pavement area is located on  any elevated bridge.    The maintenance and repair, as provided in this section, shall be done  either by the forces of such city and with  its  equipment,  or  by  its  contractor, or by a combination of these two methods.    8.  Such  agreement  for  maintenance and repair as authorized by this  section, shall include the procedure and method for regulation of street  openings, and  appropriate  provisions  for  the  care,  protection  and  patching  of  the  pavement  or  pavements,  and  curbs,  the  care  and  protection of drainage facilities and  structures,  the  maintenance  of  adjacent  roadside  and  landscaped  areas to include the care of trees,  shrubs and groundcovers and the cutting of grass at specified  locations  and   to  the  extent  as  shall  be  deemed  by  such  commissioner  of  transportation to be for the best interest of  the  public,  control  of  snow  and  ice  on any such public street, main route or thoroughfare or  portion thereof included in such agreement, the performance  of  repairs  and   alterations,  and  the  operation  and  care  of  traffic  lights,  directional guides and controls, and parking controls. Such  maintenance  and  repair, whether done by a city pursuant to an agreement therefor as  authorized by this section, or by the state because of  the  absence  of  such  agreement,  as  the case may be, shall not include (a) services of  lighting, cleaning, sweeping and sprinkling of any such  public  street,  main route or thoroughfare or portion thereof, all of which services are  deemed  to  be  the  normal maintenance of streets by such city in which  they are located, or (b) any work on or in  connection  with  subsurface  installations  and  structures  that are owned and operated by any city,  including sanitary sewers, gas  mains,  water  lines  and  conduits  and  appurtenances thereto.    8-a.  (a)  Except  as provided hereafter the state shall indemnify and  hold harmless such city for  any  and  all  liability  for  damages  for  personal injury, injury to property or wrongful death for losses arising  from  or  occasioned by the manner of performance of the functions under  any agreement with a city  for  the  maintenance  and  repair  of  state  arterial highways pursuant to this section.    (b)  In  no  event shall the state be obligated to defend or indemnify  such city, in any action, proceeding, claim or demand arising out of the  actual operation of a vehicle or other equipment while  engaged  in  the  operation  of  repair  and maintenance under any such agreement, nor anyaction, proceeding, claim or demand arising out of services of lighting,  cleaning, sweeping and sprinkling any such public street, main route  or  thoroughfare  or  portions thereof nor any work on or in connection with  subsurface  installations  and structures that are owned and operated by  any city,  including  sanitary  sewers,  gas  mains,  water  lines,  and  conduits, and appurtenances thereto.    (c)  The  city  shall  be  entitled  to representation by the attorney  general in any claim described in paragraph  (a)  of  this  subdivision,  provided,  however, that the city shall be entitled to itself defend any  such action, proceeding, claim or demand whenever the  attorney  general  determines,  based  upon  his  investigation and review of the facts and  circumstances of the case that representation by  the  attorney  general  would  be  inappropriate,  or whenever a court of competent jurisdiction  determines that a conflict of interest  exists  and  that  the  city  is  entitled  to  be  separately  represented.  Whenever the municipality is  entitled to defend the action itself,  the  state  shall  reimburse  the  municipality  for  any  and  all  costs and expenses, including, but not  limited to, counsel fees and disbursements.    (d) The state shall indemnify and  save  harmless  such  city  in  the  amount  of  any  judgment  obtained  against  such  city in any state or  federal  court  in  any  claim  described  in  paragraph  (a)  of   this  subdivision,  or in the amount of any settlement of such claim, or shall  pay such judgment or settlement; provided,  however,  that  the  act  or  omission from which such judgment or settlement arose occurred while the  city  was  acting  within the scope of its functions for maintenance and  repair  of  state  arterial  highways;  provided,   further,   that   no  stipulation  of  settlement  of  any  such  action, proceeding, claim or  demand shall be made  or  executed  without  approval  of  the  attorney  general  and  of  the  commissioner  of  transportation or his designee.  Payment of any claim made pursuant to settlement shall  not  exceed  the  sum  of fifty thousand dollars. Nothing herein shall authorize the state  to indemnify or save harmless with  respect  to  punitive  or  exemplary  damages.    (e)  The  duty  to defend or indemnify and save harmless prescribed by  this subdivision shall be conditioned upon (i) delivery to the  attorney  general  or an assistant attorney general at an office of the department  of law in Albany or New York city and by delivery to the commissioner of  transportation or  his  designee  of  a  copy  of  any  claim,  summons,  complaint,  process,  notice,  demand  or other pleading within ten days  after such  city  is  served  with  such  document  and  (ii)  the  full  cooperation of the city in the defense of such action, proceeding, claim  or  demand and in the defense of any action, proceeding, claim or demand  against the state based upon the  same  act  or  omission,  and  in  the  prosecution of any appeal.    (f) The benefits of this subdivision shall inure only to such city and  shall  not  enlarge  or diminish the rights of any other party nor shall  any provision of this subdivision be  construed  to  effect,  alter,  or  repeal any provision of the workers' compensation law.    (g) This subdivision shall not in any way affect the obligation of any  claimant  to  give notice to the state under section ten of the court of  claims act or any other provision of law.    (h) The provisions of this  subdivision  shall  not  be  construed  to  impair, alter, limit or modify the rights and obligations of any insurer  under any insurance agreement.    (i) Except as otherwise specifically provided in this subdivision, the  provisions  of  this  subdivision  shall  not be construed in any way to  impair,  alter,  limit,  modify,  abrogate,  or  restrict  any  immunity  available to or conferred upon any unit, entity, officer, or employee ofthe  state  or  city  of  any other level of government, or any right to  defense and indemnification provided for  any  governmental  officer  or  employee by, in accordance with, or by reason of, any other provision of  state or federal statutory or common law.    9.  Whenever  the  commissioner  of  transportation  shall  deem  such  maintenance  and  repair  by  any  such  city  to   be   inadequate   or  unsatisfactory  according  to  the  terms  of such agreement, he may, by  official order to be filed in his office, and by filing a certified copy  thereof in the office of the department of state, cancel said agreement,  and the payments thereunder  provided  by  the  state  shall  cease  and  determine; whereupon the commissioner may carry out such maintenance and  repair  in the same manner as other state highways are maintained by the  state. The official order provided  in  this  subdivision  shall  become  effective  at  the  expiration of five days after the commissioner shall  mail a certified copy thereof to the city clerk or  other  official  who  performs  related duties in such city. Thereupon, the street, main route  or thoroughfare or portion thereof  described  in  said  official  order  shall be maintained and repaired as provided in this section.