A. For the purposes of this section: “Cost of highway construction” includes the cost of relocating or removing utility facilities in connection with any project on the Interstate System within cities or towns. “Cost of relocation or removal” includes the entire amount paid by such utility properly attributable to such relocation or removal after deducting any increase in the value of the new facility and any salvage value derived from the old facility. “Facility of a utility” includes tracks, pipes, mains, conduits, cables, wires, towers, and other structures, equipment, and appliances. “Utility” includes publicly, privately, and cooperatively owned utilities.
B. Whenever the Board determines that it is necessary that any facility of a utility in, on, under, over, or along existing streets that are to be included within any project on the Interstate System within cities or towns should be relocated or removed, the owner or operator of such facility shall relocate or remove the same in accordance with the order of the Board. The cost of such relocation or removal, including the cost of installing such facility in a new location, and the cost of any lands, or any rights or interest in lands, and any other rights required to accomplish such relocation or removal shall be ascertained and paid by the Board as a part of the cost of the project.