Upon and immediately after the purchase or final proceedings in condemnation, as the case may be, the said bridge or bridges shall become the sole property of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of New York. Toll charges on such bridge shall thereupon cease, and such bridge shall thereafter be free to the traveling public, under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by such joint commission or their lawful successors. Any railroad or railway now having the use of any such bridge by lease or agreement shall continue to pay to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of New York, in equal proportions, the same rental charges, and in the same manner, as such charges are now paid to the owner or owners of such bridge: Provided, That any steam or electric railroad or railway corporation holding, in whole or in part in conjunction with a bridge corporation, company, partnership, or individual, any bridge over the said river upon which tolls are now collected or charged, shall be entitled to compensation, to be agreed upon or ascertained as damages in the manner aforesaid, in proportion as their interest may appear to and in the value of the bridge or bridges as a toll-bridge or bridges only, and exclusive of its value as a railroad or railway bridge, and said bridge or bridges shall remain the property of the railroad or railway corporations as theretofore, but toll charges thereon shall cease as heretofore provided in this section.
36 P.S. § 3223