(a) The word “Commission” shall mean the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission heretofore created by the act, approved the twenty-first day of May, one thousand nine hundred and thirty-seven (Pamphlet Laws 774),¹ or if said Commission shall be abolished, any board, commission or officer succeeding to the principal functions thereof or upon whom the power and functions given by this act to said Commission shall be given by law.

(b) The word “owner” shall include all individuals, copartnerships, associations or corporations having any title or interest in any property rights, easements or franchises authorized to be acquired by this act.

(c) The words “the turnpike” shall mean the turnpike to be constructed, as hereinafter provided, from a point at or near the City of Erie in Erie County, thence in a general southerly direction to connect with the Pennsylvania Turnpike System, at such point as the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission may decide is most feasible and practicable, including a lateral extension eastward from such point as the Commission may decide is most feasible and practicable to the boundary line between the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of New York, and a lateral extension westward from such point as the Commission may decide is most feasible and practicable to a point on the boundary line between the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of Ohio, and may be constructed as a whole at one time or in sections from time to time, as the Commission shall determine, and shall be deemed to include not only the turnpike and all connecting roads, tunnels and bridges connected therewith, but also all property rights, easements and franchises relating thereto and deemed necessary or convenient for the construction or the operation thereof.

(d) The term “cost of the turnpike” shall embrace the cost of constructing the turnpike and all connecting roads, tunnels and bridges, the cost of all lands, property rights, rights-of-way, easements and franchises acquired, which are deemed necessary or convenient for such construction, the cost of all machinery and equipment, financing charges, interest prior to and during construction and for one year after completion of construction, cost of traffic estimates and of engineering and legal expenses, plans, specifications, surveys, estimates of cost and of revenues, other expenses necessary or incident to determining the feasibility or practicability of the enterprise, administrative and legal expense, and such other expenses as may be necessary or incident to the financing herein authorized, the construction of the turnpike and connecting roads, tunnels and bridges, the placing of the same in operation, and the condemnation of property necessary for such construction and operation. Any obligation or expense contracted for by the Commission with the Department of Highways of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or with the United States or any agency thereof, for traffic surveys, preparation of plans and specifications, supervision of construction, and other engineering, administrative and legal services and expenses in connection with the construction of the turnpike or any of the connecting roads, tunnels and bridges, shall be regarded as a part of the cost of the turnpike, and shall be reimbursed or paid out of the proceeds of the turnpike revenue bonds, notes or other obligations hereinafter authorized. Payment of any notes or other obligations shall be considered payment of the cost of the turnpike, provided such notes or other obligations were issued for such purpose.