The department may contract for the rebuilding of any rail properties acquired pursuant to this chapter, within the provisions of the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973, or any other appropriate legislation. The department may also spend any sums appropriated, as well as any other available funds, for the modernization and rebuilding of any rail properties owned by the state or by a private carrier. The department may do any maintenance on any rail properties owned by the State as is necessary in the public interest.
IC 8-3-1.5-18