For the purpose of acquiring the land needed for the right of way of the proposed new section of road to be built in accordance with the provisions of § 9 of this title, the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works is hereby authorized and empowered, with the approval of the Governor, to exchange for, or to give in payment, in whole or in part, of the purchase price of the land needed for the aforesaid right of way, any portion or all of the land occupied by and included within the right of way owned by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico of the section of road to be abandoned after the aforesaid new section shall have been completed and opened to traffic; Provided, however, That the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works is hereby authorized and empowered to sell the land occupied by the abandoned section of road and its right of way, or any portion of it, upon terms and conditions to be approved by the Governor; and Provided, further, That the land occupied by the abandoned section of road and its right of way, or any portion of it, shall not be exchanged with, or sold or surrendered to any person or persons other than owners of land abutting upon the section of road thus abandoned and surrendered.
History —Apr. 12, 1917, No. 18, p. 134, § 2.