Upon the exercise of the power of eminent domain by the department, the compensation to be paid thereunder shall be ascertained and paid in the manner provided in chapter one of Title 20 of the Revised Statutes in so far as the provisions thereof are applicable and not inconsistent with the provisions contained in this act. Subject to the rules of civil practice in the Superior Court adopted by the Supreme Court of New Jersey the department may join in separate subdivisions in one complaint the descriptions of any number of tracts or parcels of land or property to be condemned, and the names of any number of owners and other parties who may have an interest therein and all such land or property included in said complaint may be condemned in a single proceeding; provided, however, that separate awards be made for each tract or parcel of land or property; and provided, further, that each of said tracts or parcels of land or property lies wholly in or has a substantial part of its value lying wholly within the same county.

L.1953, First Sp.Sess., c. 443, p. 2427, s. 8.