(a) For the purpose of this chapter, the highway authorities of the state, acting alone or through the counties, cities, and towns, may acquire private or public property and property rights for controlled access facilities and service roads, including rights of access, air, view and light, by gift, devise, purchase, or condemnation in the same manner as such authorities are now, or hereafter may be, authorized by law to acquire such property or property rights in connection with highways and streets within their respective jurisdiction. In connection with the acquisition of property or property rights for any controlled access facility, or portion thereof or service road in connection therewith, the state, county, city, or town highway authority is hereby authorized, in its discretion, to acquire an entire lot, block or tract of land, even though such entire lot, block or tract of land is not immediately needed for the right-of-way proper; provided, that the authority is not granted to acquire property not immediately needed for the right-of-way proper unless the owner of such property shall consent thereto.

(b) In any event, in any case now or hereafter pending, when property is condemned for limited access highways and an appeal is taken by the state from a judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction and if the award of damages is affirmed on appeal by the Court of Civil Appeals or the Supreme Court of Alabama, then, in such event, the property owner shall be entitled to interest at six percent per annum on the amount of damages awarded from the date of the entry of the judgment awarding such damages.