§ 70. Special parkways. 1. The department shall be responsible for and shall have jurisdiction for the purposes of construction, reconstruction, improvement and maintenance of the special parkways as designated in this article, and for expediting the construction, reconstruction and improvement of said special parkways to safe, modern standards. 2. As used in this article, the term "special parkways" shall mean the following roadways which are designated and set forth within the county of Westchester:

(a) the Hutchinson river parkway from the New York city line to the Connecticut line;

(b) the Saw Mill river parkway from the New York city line northerly to interstate route six hundred eighty-four;

(c) the Cross County parkway connecting the Saw Mill river and Hutchinson river parkways;

(d) the Taconic state parkway from the Kensico circle north to the Westchester-Putnam line; and

(e) the Sprain Brook parkway from the Bronx river parkway at or about Dewitt avenue at Bronxville northerly to a connection with the Taconic state parkway at Hawthorne interchange. 3. Special parkways shall be constructed, reconstructed, improved, operated and maintained by the department. Further, the commissioner of transportation shall do all within his power to expeditiously secure federal aid highway financing for such additional construction, reconstruction and/or improvement of said special parkways as may be needed. In the event federal-aid is to be utilized for such special parkways, they may be constructed, reconstructed, improved, operated and/or maintained subject to the provisions of federal-aid therefor. Such special parkways shall be constructed, reconstructed, improved, operated and/or maintained in accordance with all of the provisions of the highway law applicable to state highways, including the acquisition, management and disposition of property therefor, and according to such designs and types as the commissioner may determine. All provisions of the vehicle and traffic law applicable to state highways and not inconsistent with this article shall be applicable to special parkways. Such special parkways shall be operated and maintained by the department to such standards of maintenance as the commissioner may determine.