After the streets, designated as State highways shall have been taken over by the Commonwealth, they shall be maintained, constructed, reconstructed, resurfaced and repaired by the department at the expense of the Commonwealth, and such construction, reconstruction, and resurfacing shall be of such type as shall be determined by the secretary, with the approval of the Governor, and repairs and maintenance shall be of such type as shall be determined by the secretary: Provided, however, That nothing in this section shall be construed to place upon the Commonwealth any obligation to repair and maintain the curbing and footways of any such street, or to remove snow or keep streets clean: And provided further, That the department may enter into agreements in the discretion of the secretary with cities of the first class wherein and whereby such cities are authorized to design, advertise for bids, let contracts and supervise construction of new bridges and the reconstruction of existing bridges on State highways within the limits of such cities. Maintenance shall include the clearance of snow but not the carrying away thereof.

The department may enter into agreements, in the discretion of the secretary, with the cities or with persons, associations or corporations for the sharing with the Commonwealth of the cost of snow clearance, but not the carrying away thereof, construction, reconstruction or resurfacing of these streets, or sections thereof, taken over by the Commonwealth under any act.

The department may in the discretion of the secretary, enter into agreements with cities, for reimbursing the cities for clearing snow from highways but not the carrying away thereof.