The governing body of any political subdivision, notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, is hereby authorized to transfer jurisdiction over, to permit the use of, lease, lend, grant or convey to the authority upon the request of the authority, upon such terms and conditions as the governing body of such subdivision may agree with the authority as reasonable and fair, such real or personal property as may be necessary or desirable in connection with the acquisition, construction, improvement, operation or maintenance of any project by the authority, including public roads and other property already donated to public use. However, the authority must pay full market value for any such real or personal property conveyed by the governing body of any political subdivision to the authority. Whenever any railroad tracks, pipes, poles, wires, conduits or other structures or facilities which are located in, along, across, over or under any public road, street, highway, alley or other public right-of-way shall become an obstruction to, interfere with or be endangered by the construction, operation or maintenance of any project of the authority, the political subdivision having ownership, control or jurisdiction over such public road, street, highway, alley or other public right-of-way may, as the exercise of an essential governmental function, order the safeguarding, maintaining, relocating, rebuilding, removing and replacing of such railroad tracks, pipes, poles, wires, conduits or other structures or facilities by the owner thereof at the expense of the authority, and subject to the provisions of § 25.1-102.

1979, c. 416, § 15.1-1627; 1997, c. 587.