In addition to the powers and duties of the director as specified by Section 13-1-1330, when it shall appear that the acquisition, by purchase, construction, condemnation or donation, and operation of additional connecting, switching, terminal or other railroads are desirable in the public interest to promote and foster economic growth and development, the director may, with the approval of the State Budget and Control Board, extend the division's operations, provided, that if such extension includes extension of mainline trackage, the common carrier railroads operating in the State shall have declined to agree to provide such facilities within six months after having been requested to do so by the division and the Budget and Control Board and provided the financing for such extensions is approved by the Budget and Control Board pursuant to the provisions of this article.

HISTORY: 1993 Act No. 181, Section 247, eff July 1, 1993.