In carrying out the provisions of this act the Department of Highways shall possess all the powers now by law vested in it in relation to the laying out, constructing, reconstructing, improvement, and maintenance of State highways and State-aid highways, and, in addition thereto, it shall have, and is hereby authorized to exercise, the rights of eminent domain for the purpose of condemning and taking private property for any purpose connected with the location, relocation, widening, construction, reconstruction, improvement, or maintenance of said industrial highway. The damages for the taking of private property shall be ascertained and paid as provided by law for damages for the taking of private property in the case of State Highways.
Any State funds appropriated or available for the construction, improvement, and maintenance of State highways, and for the payment of damages for the taking of private property therefor, shall be available and are hereby appropriated for the construction, improvement, and maintenance of said Industrial State Highway, and for the payment of damages for the taking of private property therefor.
36 P.S. § 953