In addition to other public purposes provided for the Delaware River Port Authority and other powers and duties conferred upon it, and not in limitation thereof, the said Delaware River Port Authority shall have among its authorized purposes, and it shall have the power and duty:

(a) To construct, operate and maintain a bridge across the Delaware River between the county of Gloucester in the State of New Jersey and the county of Delaware in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, at such point in such counties as the Delaware River Port Authority shall determine to be appropriate, including its approaches, and the making of additions and improvements thereto.

(b) To maintain and continue in operation the ferry boat service, now operated by the Delaware River Ferry Company, for the carrying of passengers and vehicular traffic between the county of Gloucester in the State of New Jersey and the county of Delaware in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania until such time as the bridge authorized in subsection (a) hereof shall be constructed and in full operation. The Delaware River Port Authority may enter into such agreements with the owners of such ferry boat service as shall be necessary to maintain and operate such ferry boat service including agreements to buy, lease, subsidize or otherwise maintain and operate such ferry boat service.

L.1962, c. 2, s. 1.