Before the Department of Highways shall proceed with the construction or resurfacing of any of the streets or sections thereof as described in section 202 of this act,¹ the city, after being notified of the contemplated improvement, shall take the necessary steps to compel all public utility companies to make any necessary replacements or renewals of any of their structures located within the lines of the improvement prior to the commencement of work, and shall agree that the said street or sections thereof when completed shall not be torn up or opened for a period of five years, except in emergency cases and subject to the same conditions and restrictions as are now provided by law with reference to the opening of State highways in boroughs.