§ 25. Interstate bridge commission. The commissioner of transportation
or his duly authorized representative shall constitute the interstate
bridge commission. Such commission shall, together with a similar board
or commission from the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, constitute a joint
commission to acquire the rights, franchises and property of the several
bridge corporations, municipal corporations, companies, partnerships or
individuals owning or operating toll bridges and including the bridge at
Pond Eddy in the town of Lumberland, Sullivan county, owned by said town
across the Delaware river between the state of New York and the
commonwealth of Pennsylvania, except such as are owned by steam or
electric railroads or railways and used exclusively for railroad or
railway purposes. Such acquisition shall be either by purchase or to be
had and effected by this state and the commonwealth of Pennsylvania
under and by virtue of their respective rights of eminent domain, this
state to pay one-half of the cost of the said bridges and one-half of
the cost of acquiring them, and the other half of the cost of the said
bridges and one-half of the cost of acquiring them to be paid by the
commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or in lieu thereof, in proportion between
the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the counties and municipalities
thereof as the latter state may by appropriate legislation determine.