That the municipal authorities and courts having jurisdiction in any city of this commonwealth shall have exclusive control and direction of the opening, widening, narrowing, vacating and changing grades of all streets, alleys, and highways within the limits of such city, and may open or widen streets, at such points, and of such width, as may be deemed necessary by such city authorities and courts, any private or special statute to the contrary notwithstanding, proceedings to be had in such cases as are now required by law. Streets commenced under any special authority shall be completed, unless otherwise decided by councils; and any of said cities may, with the consent of the courts of quarter sessions of the proper county, enter security for damages to private property by reason of street improvements, in such sum or sums as the said court may direct.
53 P.S. § 1671