Nothing in this chapter shall be considered or construed to affect in any way any eminent domain proceeding filed before January 1, 1972 and such proceeding may be prosecuted to final conclusion according to the law in effect on the date such proceeding was filed, but the provisions of Section 11-27-29 relating to direct appeals to the supreme court shall apply to cases pending in any county court on January 1, 1972 wherein no appeal has been taken. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed or shall operate to negate, abridge or alter rights vested pursuant to any prior statutes repealed and reenacted hereby, or to affect judicial construction thereof.