The authority shall authorize any certified telecommunications provider to install, maintain, operate, manage or control poles, wires, conduits or other fixtures under or over any public highway or street for the provision of telecommunications service authorized by section 16-247c, if such installation, maintenance, operation, management or control is in the public interest, which includes but is not limited to, facilitating the efficient development and deployment of an advanced telecommunications infrastructure, facilitating maximum network interoperability and interconnectivity, and encouraging shared use of existing facilities and cooperative development of new facilities where legally possible and technically and economically feasible. The authority shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, governing such use of the public right-of-way, including, without limitation, design and construction standards and specifications to protect the public safety and implement the purposes of the goals set forth in sections 16-247a to 16-247c, inclusive, 16-247e to 16-247g, inclusive, this section and section 16-247j.