Section 659 - Power to acquire property(a) The secretary shall have the power to acquire by purchase, lease, eminent domain proceedings, gift or otherwise all or any property, in such estate as he shall determine, for promoting the purposes of this act, including any property of a public utility, except that no line, route, franchise, certificate of public convenience, or certificate of authorization of a transportation company, or interest in any thereof shall be acquired without the consent of such company. All political subdivisions and corporations are hereby authorized to donate property to the department.(b) Eminent domain proceedings shall be in accordance with the act of June 22, 1964 (Sp.Sess., P.L. 84, No. 6), known as the "Eminent Domain Code," and the department is empowered to join with any transportation organization in obtaining any property through such eminent domain proceedings.1976, Feb. 11, P.L. 14, No. 10, § 9, imd. effective.