§ 353. Purposes of the authority and benefits therefrom. The
authority is created to and shall have power to finance, construct,
reconstruct, improve, develop, maintain or operate a thruway system as
provided by and subject to the provisions of this title together with
facilities for the public incidental thereto. It is hereby found and
declared that such purposes are in all respects for the benefit of the
people of the state of New York for the increase of their pleasure,
convenience and welfare, for the improvement of their health, to
facilitate transportation for their recreation and commerce and for the
common defense; and the authority shall be regarded as performing a
governmental function in carrying out its corporate purpose and in
exercising the powers granted by this title.