(a) On a day fixed by the Court, a hearing shall then be had on the issue of damages as presented in the return. At such hearing all interested parties may present evidence and argument regarding the question of damages, their amount and apportionment, as are permitted under this section or at the discretion of the Court. At the close of said hearing, the Court shall enter an order affixing damages in such manner as it determines the evidence warrants.

(b) All damage questions shall be decided as provided in this chapter and shall include the right of the Department to recover the actual value of the real property, if it holds title thereto, to recover reasonable expenses for its loss of use of said vacated land, bridge or right-of-way, whether jurisdiction has been acquired by title, dedication, easement or some other means, and any reasonable costs and expenses incurred as a result of said vacation or abandonment resulting from an impact to other lands, bridges or rights-of-way within the jurisdiction of the Department.

(c) Payment of damages shall be in such amounts and under such terms and conditions as the Superior Court, by order, shall direct. Any order of the Superior Court to vacate or abandon a road, bridge or right-of-way shall not become final until all damages have been paid in accordance with the Court’s order.

(d) Whenever any interested party neglects or omits to pay or tender the amount of ascertained damages to the parties or persons entitled to the same, said interested party shall be subject to the contempt power of the Court upon proper application by any party or person to whom damages are payable pursuant to the terms of the Court’s order regarding same.

(e) Any other provision of this chapter notwithstanding, the Court or the Department in making a determination as to what damages shall be paid by the Department shall consider only 2 factors:

(1) Only persons owning real property abutting the road or part thereof to be vacated or abandoned shall be entitled to recover damages; and

(2) Any damages which may be otherwise recoverable by such persons from the Department must be offset by a monetary estimate of the benefit to be derived by said abutting real property owner.

(f) Any hearing on damages conducted at an administrative hearing shall be as provided herein.

26 Del. Laws, c. 169, § 4; Code 1915, § 1604; 40 Del. Laws, c. 107; Code 1935, § 1676; 17 Del. C. 1953, § 1306; 60 Del. Laws, c. 338, § 6; 65 Del. Laws, c. 209, § 1.