MARYLAND MANUAL 101

of eleven of the twenty-three counties of the State. It is responsible
for the making of preliminary surveys and plans for the construction
of any proposed highway, making final reviews of those plans and
making necessary recommendations for the specifications and special
provisions which may become a part of the contract. Through the
Maintenance Division, the Commission provides the necessary resurfac-
ing, drainage, traffic service, and snow removal of the highways in-
cluded in the State's system. The agency, through its Materials
Division conducts and makes tests of all materials used in the construc-
tion and maintenance of the highways and bridges and in the main-
tenance of the Ferry System. A Traffic Division is also maintained by
the Commission for the purpose of making traffic counts, traffic origin
and destination surveys, and such other surveys as are necessary to
determine the need of highway improvement through rerouting, widen-
ing, straightening, or clearance of sight obstacles; as well as to deter-
mine the need for traffic signals, warning signs, and destination
markers. The department also prepares State and individual county
road maps. The Construction Division is responsible, through the
Division of Road Design, for the making of surveys, preparation of
plans, the preparation of quantities for bid proposals, final surveys,
and final estimates; and through the Division of Bridge Design for
similar preparatory and final quantities in connection with the design
and construction of bridges; and for the construction of highways and
bridges in full conformity with the contract, specifications, and plans.
The Right of Way Division is responsible for acquiring of the rights
of way essential to the modernization of the existing highways and
bridges, as well as, that required for new highways and bridges.

Five Year Highway Program

The General Assembly of 1947 authorized a five year highway im-
provement and construction program beginning in 1948. This pro-
gram contemplates the expenditure of approximately $40,000,000 each
year during the five year period. The Legislature further authorized
the issuance of Revenue Bonds for the purpose of constructing toll
bridges, tunnels, and roads and to consolidate the income from any
two or more projects for the support of the bonded debt. The selection
of the route as a toll road or the project as a toll bridge must be
made in accordance with the specific provisions of the law (Code
1947, Art. 89B, sees. 122A-122U).

Advisory Council On Highway Construction*

Chairman; Chester F. Hockley
J. Trueman Thompson, T. Howard Duckett, J. McKenny
Willis, Jr., J. Vincent Jamison, Jr., Herman L. Gruehn.

The Advisory Council on Highway Construction was appointed by
the Governor in October 1947 to consult and advise with the members
of the State Roads Commission in the planning of the construction
of highways which are projected under the five-year program and to
aid the Commission in such other matters under its supervision as it
may deem necessary.

Financing the State Roads System

The State Roads Commission administers all financial transactions
relative to the operation and construction of the highway network
under its jurisdiction. Revenues derived by the State Roads Commis-
sion, representing fifty percent share of Gasoline Tax Fund distribu-

* The Advisory Council has been deactivated but held in reserve.