Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, funds appropriated to or otherwise obtained by the Department of Transportation pursuant to Article III, Section IX, Paragraph VI(b) of the Constitution of this state and paragraphs (2) and (7) of subsection (a) of Code Section 32-2-2 shall not be utilized for designation, improvement, or construction of any land public transportation system or any part of the state highway system lying within the boundaries of a county whose special district created pursuant to this chapter has been activated pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, unless such designation, improvement, or construction is safety related or has been conducted by or through, or approved by, the authority, or such funds are within categories applicable to state-wide inspection or improvement required for compliance with federal law or regulation.