N.Y. Highway Law § 349-b: Declaration of policy

§ 349-b. Declaration of policy. The modernization and the construction

of arterial highways which are to pass through cities, will contribute

greatly to post-war reemployment and to the stimulation of industrial

recovery. The resources and the technical skills that are available to

the state for these purposes, should be used for the benefit of the

cities upon the principle that the construction of such arterial

highways is a matter of state concern. However, it is the manifest

intention of the state to recognize and to preserve the powers or rights

heretofore conferred upon or delegated to any city to regulate the

property, affairs or government thereof, in the modernization and the

construction of such arterial highways. The integration of such arterial

highways in the system of state highways throughout the state

contemplates an expenditure of public funds to pay the costs that are

attendant upon the fulfilment of a program of the work of modernization

and construction as herein mentioned, as well as of the maintenance of

such public ways. It is hereby declared to be the purpose of this act to

initiate the procedure that is prerequisite to any project of the

magnitude herein provided, to the end that orderly progress and

equitable distribution of effort and moneys may be observed in the

administration of this article, and, from time to time, when expressly

authorized by the legislature, any section of such arterial highways may

be constituted, constructed, reconstructed, improved and maintained as a

part of the state highway system.