Whenever any such bridge is acquired by the Commonwealth, as hereinbefore provided, it shall be a part of the system of State highways and be designated by a number to be assigned by the Secretary of Highways and shall be under the control of the Department of Highways, and shall be thereafter maintained, kept in repair and rebuilt by the Department of Highways in accordance with the law relating to State highways and bridges. The Secretary of Highways, in his discretion, may procure insurance upon such bridge for protection against destruction of or damage to such bridge, in such amounts not exceeding actual value of such bridge, as he shall deem necessary, until such bridge becomes a free bridge. The Department of Highways shall take over and succeed to all agreements with public service companies or other persons for the use and occupancy of such bridges by the facilities of such companies, such use and occupancy to be governed by the law relating to the issuance of occupancy permits on bridges under the jurisdiction of the Department of Highways.

The Department of Highways may take over and succeed to any agreement in effect at the time of the acquisition of any toll bridge providing for easements and licenses in respect of such bridge which, in the opinion of the Secretary of Highways, will not materially interfere with the use and operation of such bridge as a thoroughfare.