Current through Register No. 12, March 21, 2024
(a) The division of
project development shall be responsible for all proposed highway and bridge
construction projects from the preliminary engineering stage through completion
of construction, including administering federal and state aid programs for
municipalities. It shall also be responsible for the development of
environmental impact statements or assessments for proposed projects and
acquisitions as well as obtaining dredge and fill permits and control of
outdoor advertising along state and federal highways. In addition the division
shall be responsible for providing maps of the state highway system to the
public.
(b) The following bureaus,
shall be organized within the division of project development:
(1) The bureau of highway design shall be
responsible for the design and preparation of technical/engineering documents
for highway construction projects either by its own staff or through private
consultants. The bureau shall also be responsible for surveys, aerial
photographs, other project-related mapping and roadside development activities,
including highway beautification and landscaping.
(2) The bureau of bridge design shall be
responsible for the planning, designing, and preparation of contract plans for
bridges, as well as safety inspections for state-owned and municipally-owned
bridges.
(3) The bureau of
construction shall be responsible for the management of highway and bridge
construction contracts and coordinating the construction effort with all
governmental units and utilities. The bureau shall also be responsible for the
inspection of all on-going highway/bridge construction projects to assure
compliance by the contractor with New Hampshire standard specifications for
road and bridge construction.
(4)
The bureau of municipal highways shall be responsible for the administration of
federal and state aid programs for municipalities, as well as serving as
liaison between the department, the general public, and municipalities. The
bureau shall also be responsible for outdoor advertising and junkyard
control.
(5) The bureau of
right-of-way shall be responsible for the acquisition of land in support of the
department's projects. The bureau shall also be responsible for relocation
assistance.
(6) The bureau of
environment shall be responsible for preparation of environmental impact
statements, assessments and studies, and processing all federal and state
environmental permits for department projects.
(7) The bureau of engineering audit shall be
responsible for intensive reviews of records, documentation and inspections
performed by the bureau of construction on all highway, bridge and special
construction contracts within the state. The bureau shall determine final
payments to contractors and final vouchers for federal-aid reimbursement to the
state.
(8) The bureau of materials
and research shall test materials used or to be used in state highway
construction and shall identify materials standards, sampling and testing
procedures for state construction projects. The bureau shall be responsible to
provide material technical and geotechnical activities and reports.
(9) The bureau of transportation planning
shall be responsible for the collection and analyses of highway data including
road conditions and future projected traffic. The bureau shall also be
responsible for monitoring the 10 year highway plan progress and updating
recommendations. Also included in the bureau's duties shall be oversight of
regional planning agencies' transportation programs and performing
transportation planning studies.
