Sts. & Hy. Code, § 31473

(a) The cities and county in the San Diego region are authorized and empowered to lease, lend, grant, or convey to SANDAG at its request upon such terms and conditions as the city or county considers reasonable and fair and without the necessity for any advertisement, order of court, or other action of formality, other than the regular and formal action of the governing body of the cities or county, any real property that may be necessary or convenient to the effectuation of the authorized purposes of SANDAG, including public highways and other real property already devoted to public use.

(b) If a reasonable price cannot be agreed upon, or if the owner is legally incapacitated, absent, unknown, or unable to convey valid title, SANDAG is hereby authorized and empowered to acquire by condemnation or by the exercise of the power of eminent domain any lands, property, rights, rights-of-way, easements, and other property, including highways or parkways, or parts thereof or rights therein, of any person, copartnership, association, railroad, public service, public utility or other corporation, municipality, or political subdivision considered necessary or convenient for the construction, repair, or improvement or the efficient operation of a project or necessary in restoration of public or private property damaged or destroyed, but not including any of the rights of any franchisee, lessee, or owner of airspace rights in the demonstration toll road project known as State Route 125 in the County of San Diego.

(c) Any proceedings pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be conducted in accordance with and subject to the relocation assistance guidelines in Chapter 16 (commencing with Section 7260) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code. Title to any property acquired by SANDAG shall be taken in the name of SANDAG or the department.

(d) If the owner, lessee, or occupier of any property to be condemned refuses to remove his or her personal property from the property or give up possession of the property, SANDAG may proceed to obtain possession in any manner now or hereafter provided by law.