54-1-105 - Duties of commissioner. - Tennessee Statutes

54-1-105. Duties of commissioner.

(a)  The commissioner of transportation shall have charge of all records of the department of transportation, shall keep a book of records of all proceedings and orders pertaining to the business of the department, and shall keep on file copies of all plans, specifications, and estimates prepared by the department.

(b)  The commissioner shall:

     (1)  Cause to be made and kept blueprints and maps showing a general highway plan of the state; the plan to consist of the main traveled roads that will, when improved, show and provide a connected system of improved highways throughout the state;

     (2)  Collect information and statistics with reference to the mileage, character, and condition of highways and bridges in the counties;

     (3)  Investigate and determine the method of road construction best adapted to the various sections; and

     (4)  Establish standards for the construction and maintenance of highways in the counties, giving due regard to topography, natural conditions, availability of road material, prevailing traffic conditions, and ways and means of the counties to meet their portion of the cost of building and maintaining roads under this chapter and chapters 2 and 5 of this title.

(c)  The commissioner may at all times be consulted by the county and district officers having authority over highways and bridges and, in like manner, call on the county and district officials for information relative to highways and bridges within their county or district, in order to determine the character and have the general supervision of the construction, repair and maintenance of all roads improved under this chapter and chapters 2 and 5 of this title.

[Acts 1919, ch. 149, § 6; impl. am. Acts 1923, ch. 7, §§ 1, 2, 33; Shan. Supp., § 1720a7b6; Code 1932, § 3175; impl. am. Acts 1972, ch. 829, § 7; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 54-113; Acts 1981, ch. 264, § 12.]