by the Commission for the purpose of making traffic counts, traffic
origin and destination surveys, and such other surveys as are neces-
sary to determine the need of highway improvement, the need for
traffic signals, warning signs, and other traffic service devices. This'
Division also prepares State and individual county road maps.

The Construction Division is responsible, through the Highway
Location and Survey Division, for the making of preliminary and
final surveys and location studies; through the Division of Road
Design for the preparation of road plans, quantities for bid proposals
and final estimates; through the Division of Bridge Design for similar
preparatory and final quantities in connection with the design and
construction of bridges; through the Materials Division for the
testing of all materials used in the construction and maintenance of
highways and 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 the rights-
of-way essential to the modernization of existing highways and
bridges, as well as that required for new highways and bridges.

Advisory Council on Highway Construction

Donald H. Sherwood
Charles S. Garland, E. Asbury Davis

The Advisory Council on Highway Construction was appointed by
the Governor in February, 1951, to consult with and advise the

members of the State Roads Commission in the planning of highway
construction 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 funds for the con-
struction, maintenance, and operation of the highway network under
its jurisdiction.

The Legislature of 1947 authorized the issuance of Revenue Bonds
for the purpose of constructing toll bridges, tunnels, and roads, and

the consolidation of 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 1951, Art. SOB, sees. 106-126).

The Legislature of 1947 authorized the issuance of State Highway
Construction Bonds in a total amount of $100,000,000 to supplement
revenues of the Construction Fund in order to meet the requirements
of an expanded road construction program. The State Roads Com-
mission has sold through April SO, 1953, $75,000,000 of bonds under
this authorization.

The Legislature of 1953, after consideration of a twelve-year
program for road construction and reconstruction, authorized the
issuance of $330,000,000 par value additional State Highway Con-
struction Bonds (subject to certain limitations including provision
that the maximum principal amount of all State Highway Construc-
tion Bonds outstanding at any time shall not exceed $300,000,000) for
the purpose of financing, in part, the reconstruction of both primary
and secondary roads of the State Highway System and the develop-
ment and construction of new roads made mandatory by traffic
demands (Acts 1953, ch. 667).

Revenues derived by the State Roads Commission representing fifty
percent share of the Gasoline Tax Fund distributions and the Excise
Tax on Issuance of 'Certificates of Title to Motor Vehicles are pledged