(a) Whenever a public road improvement necessitates the acquisition by the department of a utility's privately owned rights of way and the relocation of such utility's facilities, the department may, with the written consent of the utility, provide a replacement right of way.
(b) Whenever a public road improvement requires the relocation of a utility occupying public road rights of way, the department may, at the written request of such utility, provide to the utility a right of way which is not on a public road right of way. In this event, the utility shall reimburse the department for the acquisition costs.
(c) Title to property acquired for utility relocations under subsection (a) or (b) of this Code section and as authorized by Code Section 32-3-1 may be transferred to such utility as authorized in Code Section 32-7-3. However, the procedures for sale of property as set forth in Code Section 32-7-4 shall not be applicable to the transfer of property acquired for utility relocation. Any such property transfer to the utility shall be conveyed by the execution of a quitclaim deed by the commissioner.