Section 45. Authority to represent the state as owner of abutting property

Whenever by law owners of property abutting upon a street or highway, or
  any  number  or  percentage  thereof,  are  authorized  to  petition  or
  otherwise  initiate  any  proceeding  respecting  the use, occupation or
  improvement of such street or highway, or the consent of such owners  or
  of  any  number  or  percentage  thereof  is  a prerequisite to the use,
  occupation or improvement of a street or  highway,  the  comptroller  in
  behalf  of  the  state,  upon  the  approval of the attorney-general, is
  authorized to join in any petition, take any action or  consent  to  the
  use,  occupation  or  improvement of such a street or highway, affecting
  the property of the state abutting upon such street or highway, with the
  same  force  and  effect,  and  subject  to  the  same  limitations  and
  conditions, as the owners of other property abutting upon such street or
  highway.