As used in this article, the following definitions apply:

The toll bridge and the approaches to it are a primary state highway. No law providing that state highways shall be free highways affects the power or duty of the authority to fix the rates of toll for the toll bridge or the power and duty of the department to collect the tolls so fixed by the authority for the use of the toll bridge.

The department shall permanently maintain and operate the toll bridge as a primary state highway in such a manner that the physical condition and operating efficiency thereof shall be of the highest character.

The department shall at all times cause the toll bridge to comply with all lawful orders of the United States Secretary of Defense, the Chief of Engineers of the United States Army, and of any other governmental agency or authority having jurisdiction thereof.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, local and state permitting authorities shall not impose any requirement that a bicycle, pedestrian, or mass transit facility be constructed on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a condition for issuing any permit, granting any easement, or granting any other form of approval needed, for the construction of a new bridge.

The cost of operating and maintaining the architectural lights on the toll bridge shall be paid by the department from toll bridge revenue funds available for the operation of the toll bridge.

Expenditures for maintenance and operation of the Terminal Building in San Francisco shall be proper charges against the revenues of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.