The Legislature finds that it is in the best interest of the State that bridges with historic significance be maintained or improved as necessary by the State. These bridges are of historic importance due to their unique construction combined with their antiquity. Should it become necessary to bypass any of these structures or to replace them with modern structures, the Legislature further finds that the provisions of subchapter I and subchapter IV-A shall apply. [RR 2001, c. 1, §29 (COR).]