The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the exercise of the powers granted by the Railroad Revitalization Act¹ is in all respects for the benefit of the people of the state, to enhance their safety at public railroad crossings, for the increase of their commerce and prosperity, and for the improvement of their health and living conditions, and as such the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, repair, replacement, operation and maintenance of railroad rights-of-way and trackage projects by the Department constitute the performance of essential discretionary governmental functions as set forth in Section 155 of Title 51 of the Oklahoma Statutes.