§ 5. Transfer of powers and duties relating to canals and canal lands
to the power authority of the state of New York. The powers and duties
of the thruway authority relating to the New York state canal system as
set forth in articles one through and including fourteen, except article
seven, of this chapter, and except properties in use on the effective
date of this article in support of highway maintenance, equipment
management and traffic signal operations of the department of
transportation, heretofore transferred by the commissioner of
transportation to the thruway authority, are hereby transferred to and
merged with the authority, to be exercised by the authority directly or
through the canal corporation on behalf of the people of the state of
New York. In addition, the commissioner of transportation and the chair
of the authority or his or her designee may, in their discretion, enter
into an agreement or agreements transferring the powers and duties of
the commissioner of transportation relating to any or all of the bridges
and highways as set forth in article seven of this chapter, to be
exercised by the authority directly or through the canal corporation on
behalf of the people of the state of New York, and, as determined to be
feasible and advisable by the authority's trustees, shall enter into an
agreement or agreements directly or through the canal corporation for
the financing, construction, reconstruction or improvement of lift and
movable bridges on the canal system. Such powers shall be in addition to
other powers enumerated in title one of article five of the public
authorities law. All of the provisions of title one of article five of
such law which are not inconsistent with this chapter shall apply to the
actions and duties of the authority pursuant to this chapter. The
authority shall be deemed to be the state in exercising the powers and
duties transferred pursuant to this section but for no other purposes.