The Department of Forests and Waters is hereby authorized to construct, improve or repair, at the expense of the Commonwealth, any portion of a road or highway connecting a road or highway lying within the area of a State forest with any State, county or township road or highway not lying within the area of a State forest whenever such connection is deemed necessary by the Department of Forests and Waters for the development, protection or use by the public of any State forests now owned or hereafter acquired by the Commonwealth, and to construct, improve or repair forest protection roads or fire lanes on or across the lands of any person, association or corporation for forest protection purposes. The Department of Forests and Waters is hereby authorized and empowered to construct, improve or repair any such connecting or protection road or highway or fire lane by the employees of such department or under the control and direction of the department.