Whenever any bridge shall be purchased or condemned under this act, the municipality shall control, maintain, and use the said bridge as a public bridge; but it shall have power to charge tolls or rentals, for the use thereof, from railway, telephone, and telegraph companies, and other persons making use thereof for other than ordinary public foot and vehicle travel: Provided, That where contracts exist between such persons and the owners of the bridge, such contracts shall be preserved for the benefit of the municipality, and shall be assigned thereto.
53 P.S. § 2618