Section 70. Special parkways

1. The department shall be responsible for and
  shall    have   jurisdiction   for   the   purposes   of   construction,
  reconstruction, improvement and maintenance of the special  parkways  as
  designated  in  this  article,  and  for  expediting  the  construction,
  reconstruction and improvement of said special parkways to safe,  modern
  standards.
    2. As used in this article, the term "special parkways" shall mean the
  following  roadways which are designated and set forth within the county
  of Westchester:
    (a) the Hutchinson river parkway from the New York city  line  to  the
  Connecticut line;
    (b)  the  Saw Mill river parkway from the New York city line northerly
  to interstate route six hundred eighty-four;
    (c) the Cross  County  parkway  connecting  the  Saw  Mill  river  and
  Hutchinson river parkways;
    (d)  the  Taconic  state  parkway from the Kensico circle north to the
  Westchester-Putnam line; and
    (e) the Sprain Brook parkway from the Bronx river parkway at or  about
  Dewitt  avenue  at Bronxville northerly to a connection with the Taconic
  state parkway at Hawthorne interchange.
    3. Special parkways shall  be  constructed,  reconstructed,  improved,
  operated  and maintained by the department. Further, the commissioner of
  transportation shall do all within his  power  to  expeditiously  secure
  federal   aid   highway  financing  for  such  additional  construction,
  reconstruction and/or improvement of said special  parkways  as  may  be
  needed.  In  the  event  federal-aid  is to be utilized for such special
  parkways, they may be  constructed,  reconstructed,  improved,  operated
  and/or  maintained  subject  to  the provisions of federal-aid therefor.
  Such special parkways shall  be  constructed,  reconstructed,  improved,
  operated  and/or  maintained in accordance with all of the provisions of
  the highway law applicable to state highways, including the acquisition,
  management and disposition of property therefor, and according  to  such
  designs  and  types as the commissioner may determine. All provisions of
  the vehicle and  traffic  law  applicable  to  state  highways  and  not
  inconsistent  with this article shall be applicable to special parkways.
  Such special parkways shall be operated and maintained by the department
  to such standards of maintenance as the commissioner may determine.