(a) If the State Highway Commission petitions any county court asking for a right-of-way for any state highway and the county court fails to grant the petition and issue a court order procuring the right-of-way within sixty (60) days after the petition is presented, then the commission may take such steps as the commission deems expedient to acquire the right-of-way, either by purchase, exercise of the commission's right of eminent domain, or otherwise.
(b) If the commission acquires the right-of-way by purchase, eminent domain, or otherwise, one-half (1/2) of the cost of acquiring the right-of-way shall be deducted from the next payment due the county by reason of any appropriation out of the County Aid Fund or state revenue from gasoline as motor vehicle fuel or auto license tax to the county or county highway fund of the county.
(c) A suit involving the validity of this section or any portion of this section is a matter of public interest and shall be advanced and disposed of at the earliest possible moment, and appeals in such suits shall be taken and perfected within thirty (30) days from the date of the judgment or decree.