A district may construct and operate or acquire and operate works and facilities in, under, upon, over, across, or along any street or public highway or any stream, bay or watercourse, or over any of the lands which are the property of the State, to the same extent that such rights and privileges appertaining thereto are granted to municipalities within the State. The district shall with respect to the operation of any rail facilities maintain the area of the street or public highway between such rails and for two feet on either side thereof and shall upon removal of such rails restore any such street or public highway to a like condition as the surrounding street or
highway area, all in accordance with local ordinances. The district shall not use any street or public highway in a manner to unnecessarily impair its usefulness. The district shall upon acquiring by condemnation or otherwise the facilities of a private transit company assume any and all obligations of such private company to maintain, repair or replace any street, public highway or part thereof.