All contracts for the construction, reconstruction, repair, replacement and maintenance of railroad rights-of-way or trackage shall be let by the Department to the lowest responsible bidder, or bidders, after notice by publication in the same manner as provided in the Public Competitive Bidding Act of 1974; provided, the Department may reject all bids and readvertise the same.
Laws 1971, c. 348, § 8, emerg. eff. June 19, 1971; Laws 1978, c. 164, § 6, emerg. eff. April 10, 1978.