1638

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 608

the project, the financing of such construction and the
placing of the project in operation. Any obligation or
expense heretofore or hereafter incurred by the
Commission for traffic surveys, borings, preparation of
plans and specifications, and other engineering services
in connection with the construction of a project shall be
regarded as a part of the cost of such project and shall
be reimbursed to the Commission out of the proceeds of
revenue bonds hereinafter authorized. Any obligation or
contract heretofore entered into by the Commission under
the provisions of ARTICLE 89B, §§ 163 to 181, inclusive,
of [this article] THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND (1957
EDITION, AS AMENDED), in connection with any project
financed under the provisions of this subheading shall be
treated as having been entered into under the provisions
of this subheading.

(g) The word "owner" shall include all individuals,
copartnerships, associations or corporations having title
or interest in any property, rights, easements and
interests authorized to be acquired by this subheading.

(h) The word "crossing" shall mean a bridge or a
tunnel or a combination of a bridge and a tunnel.

§8. [§ 123.] General grant of powers.

The Commission is hereby authorized and empowered:

(a)      Construction, maintenance, repair and
operation.— To construct, maintain, repair and operate
bridges over and tunnels under rivers and navigable
waters which are wholly or partly within the State, and
motorways at such locations within the State as may be
determined by the Commission and improvements thereto;

(b)   Issuance of revenue bonds.— To issue revenue
bonds of the State, payable solely from revenues, for the
purpose of paying all or any part of the cost of any one
or more projects;

(c)   Tolls.— To fix and revise from time to time
tolls for transit over or through each project
constructed by it;

(d)     Acquisition and disposal of personal
property.— To acquire, hold and dispose of real and
personal property in the exercise of its powers and the
performance of its duties under this subheading;

(e)   Acquisition of public and private lands.— To
acquire in the name of the State by purchase or
otherwise, on such terms and conditions and in such
manner as it may deem proper, or by the exercise of the
right of condemnation in the manner hereinafter provided
or referred to, such public or private lands, including
public parks, playgrounds or reservations, cemeteries, or
parts thereof or rights therein, rights—of—way, property,
rights, franchises, easements and interests, as it may
deem necessary for carrying out the provisions of this
subheading; provided, however, that no compensation shall
be paid for public lands, playgrounds, parks, parkways or
reservations owned by the State of Maryland so taken, and
that all public property damaged in carrying out the
powers granted by this subheading shall be restored or