(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other statute, the commissioner may develop plans for, construct and maintain commuter parking facilities at locations along automobile routes that will reduce peak traffic demands on highway systems and at locations that will encourage the use of carpools, vanpools and mass transportation facilities such as, but not limited to, bus or railroad lines. Any such parking facilities which are not regulated by municipalities on October 1, 1983, may be used only for routine, temporary parking by persons using carpool or vanpool vehicles or mass transportation facilities. The commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 governing the use of such parking facilities. Violation of any provision of any such regulations shall be an infraction.

(b) Such parking facilities may use space on, above or under highway rights-of-way. Funds expended by the Commissioner of Transportation on such parking facilities shall be divided between the needs of individuals who commute by automobile and individuals who commute by any of the various forms of mass transportation to insure that the needs of each commuter for adequate parking facilities along railroad lines, bus routes, automobile routes or the lines or routes of other forms of transportation are not neglected. The commissioner may enter into agreements with federal, state or local governmental agencies to develop such plans, and to construct and maintain such facilities. The provisions of such agreements may be carried out by the commissioner or the state or local agency as necessity, convenience or economy requires. If and when the Congress of the United States provides financial aid to states for the planning, construction or maintenance of commuter parking facilities, the commissioner may do any and all other acts and things necessary or desirable to take advantage of such financial aid on behalf of the state in the same manner as is provided in § 13a-165 for federal aid for highways. Contracts for such construction shall be carried out in the manner provided by statute and regulations pursuant thereto for public works. The commissioner may acquire in the name of the state such real property as is necessary to construct and maintain such commuter parking facilities in the same manner and with like powers as authorized and exercised by said commissioner in acquiring real property for state highway purposes.