Section 349-B. Declaration of policy

The modernization and the construction
  of  arterial  highways which are to pass through cities, will contribute
  greatly to post-war reemployment and to the  stimulation  of  industrial
  recovery.  The  resources and the technical skills that are available to
  the state for these purposes, should be used  for  the  benefit  of  the
  cities  upon  the  principle  that  the  construction  of  such arterial
  highways is a matter of state  concern.  However,  it  is  the  manifest
  intention of the state to recognize and to preserve the powers or rights
  heretofore  conferred  upon  or  delegated  to  any city to regulate the
  property, affairs or government thereof, in the  modernization  and  the
  construction of such arterial highways. The integration of such arterial
  highways   in   the  system  of  state  highways  throughout  the  state
  contemplates an expenditure of public funds to pay the  costs  that  are
  attendant upon the fulfillment of a program of the work of modernization
  and  construction  as herein mentioned, as well as of the maintenance of
  such public ways. It is hereby declared to be the purpose of this act to
  initiate the procedure that  is  prerequisite  to  any  project  of  the
  magnitude  herein  provided,  to  the  end  that  orderly  progress  and
  equitable distribution of effort and  moneys  may  be  observed  in  the
  administration  of  this article, and, from time to time, when expressly
  authorized by the legislature, any section of such arterial highways may
  be constituted, constructed, reconstructed, improved and maintained as a
  part of the state highway system.