Whenever proceedings have been commenced under article 4 of chapter 49 of this title (s. 40:49-13 et seq.), for any or all of the works set forth therein and the municipality has become vested with the title to real estate or any interest therein required for such purposes, such proceedings shall be deemed to be a local improvement and assessments for benefits may be immediately made therefor, and the officer or board charged with the duty of making assessments for benefits, or a majority of such board, shall make an assessment for benefits conferred upon any real estate benefited by reason of such improvement after hearing held upon the same notice, in the same manner as provided for in this article in case of assessments for benefits and awards for incidental damages where no lands are to be taken, and the procedure after said assessment shall be the same as in this article provided, except as otherwise provided in sections 40:56-43 to 40:56-47 of this title. If the total cost of the improvement shall exceed the aggregate assessable special benefits the excess shall be borne and paid by the municipality at large.