If any levee, flood control, or drainage work contemplated to be done by any district coming within the provisions of this subchapter is to be constructed upon, over, and across any highways, or highway rights-of-way of this state, the State Highway Commission is authorized, empowered, and directed to make and execute any and all contracts, easements, or other instruments in writing with the board of directors of that district for rights-of-way for levees, levee foundations, channel rectifications, floodways, reservoirs, spillways, diversions, drainage canals, or other flood control or drainage works and flowage and storage rights thereon.