Where the department has heretofore acquired, or shall hereafter acquire, by condemnation, purchase, or otherwise, the abandoned right of way of a canal, railroad, or turnpike company, to form a part of a State highway route, and any part thereof is located within the limits of any borough, the part located within the borough shall be taken and deemed to be a borough street, without any action on the part of the borough, or any of its representatives, to either accept, dedicate, or open it, as such. Any damages occasioned by the adoption, as aforesaid, or any part or parts of an abandoned right of way of a canal, railroad, or turnpike company as a part of a State highway route located within a borough, shall be paid by the borough wherein said section of highway is located, and such damages shall be determined and paid in the same manner as is now provided by law for the opening of borough streets.
36 P.S. § 670-512