It is hereby found and declared that there exist in cities within this State, having a population of 500,000 or more inhabitants as determined by the last preceding Federal census, Railroad Terminal Areas, as defined herein; that such Railroad Terminal Areas contribute to the growth of blight in adjacent and surrounding areas; prevent the restoration and proper development of such areas necessary to promote the safety, health, welfare, comfort and convenience of its inhabitants; depress land values in adjacent and surrounding areas; unnecessarily isolate areas of unused land making it unavailable for any other use; obstruct the continuity of public roads and streets; create traffic congestion upon public roads and streets; cause undue delay and expense in the transportation of persons and property; and retard the proper economic and civic growth and development of the City; that in order to eradicate the undesirable conditions herein found to exist in such Railroad Terminal Areas, and thereby encourage the efficient and economic development of adjacent and surrounding areas and provide efficient and convenient terminal facilities in connection with the transportation of persons and property, it is hereby found and declared to be necessary and desirable to make possible the relocation of railroad freight facilities to outlying areas, the consolidation of railroad terminals and terminal facilities and the proper civic, manufacturing, commercial, business and residential development of the acreage to be so released; and that the eradication and elimination of these conditions and the acquisition, consolidation and redevelopment of land thereby released in the manner provided in this Act is hereby declared to be a public use essential to the public interest.