N.Y. CAL Law § 53

§ 53. Sale of abandoned lands for railroad bridges. Whenever any canal\nlands, as defined in article one of this chapter, are required in\nconnection with any railroad bridge which has been or which is to be\nconstructed, reconstructed or raised by or for a railroad corporation\nover that portion of the barge canal, which has been or which will be\nimproved by the use of moneys allotted or to be allotted to the state by\nthe federal government in accordance with chapter six hundred\neighty-eight of the laws of nineteen hundred thirty-four, the\ncorporation may issue an official order abandoning the lands for canal\npurposes. Upon a written request by the railroad corporation, and\nnotwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law, the\ncorporation is authorized to grant and convey such land to said railroad\ncorporation for and on behalf of the people of the state of New York for\nthe purposes mentioned and for a nominal or other consideration and upon\nsuch terms and conditions which he shall deem to be beneficial to the\nstate. Such instrument of grant and conveyance shall become effective\nwhen it is recorded in the office of the secretary of state. Any moneys\nrealized from the sale of such land shall be deposited into the canal\nfund.\n