The department may spend sums appropriated and other available funds for the construction, modernization, rehabilitation, rebuilding, and relocation of rail property and may perform or contract for maintenance or improvements on rail property owned by the state, a person, a public or private corporation, a local or regional transportation authority, a local governmental unit, a private carrier, a group of rail users, or a combination of these entities, including, but not limited to, a street railway, as is necessary in the public interest as determined by the department.