Section 340.040 - Institution of proceedings: Authority; jurisdiction of court; entry upon land by petitioner1. Any federal agency, state public body or authorized corporation may institute proceedings under this chapter for the acquisition of any real property necessary for any public works project.2. Such proceedings may be instituted in the district court in any county in which any part of the real property or of the proposed public works project is situate. The court shall cause the proceedings to be heard and determined without delay. All condemnation proceedings shall be preferred cases, and shall be entitled to precedence over all other civil cases.3. The petitioner may enter upon the land proposed to be acquired for the purpose of making a survey and of posting any notice thereon which is required by this chapter; but such survey and posting of notice shall be done in such manner as will cause the least possible inconvenience to the owners of the real property.4:135:1935; 1931 NCL § 6179.244:135:1935; 1931 NCL § 6179.24