§ 360. Operation and maintenance. Operation and maintenance by the authority of any thruway section or connection or any part thereof or of a highway connection of which it has assumed jurisdiction shall be performed (a) by the use of authority forces and equipment at the expense of the authority or by agreement at the expense of the state or other parties; (b) by contract with municipalities or independent contractors; (c) at the request of the authority, by the commissioner and his subordinates in the department of transportation as agents for, and at the expense of the authority, or (d) by a combination of such methods.