Section 360. Operation and maintenance

Operation and maintenance by the
  authority of any thruway section or connection or any part thereof or of
  a highway connection, the New York state canal system of  which  it  has
  assumed  jurisdiction  shall  be  performed  (a) by the use of authority
  forces and equipment at the expense of the authority or by agreement  at
  the  expense  of  the  state  or  other  parties;  (b)  by contract with
  municipalities or independent contractors; (c) at  the  request  of  the
  authority, by the commissioner and his subordinates in the department of
  transportation  as  agents  for, and at the expense of the authority, or
  (d) by a combination of such methods.