2023 Oregon Revised Statutes › Volume : 10 - Highways, Military › Chapter 366 - State Highways and State Highway Fund › Section 366.155 - Duties and powers of department regarding highways; assistance to counties and State Parks and Recreation Department.

(1) The Department of Transportation shall, among other things:
(a) So far as practicable, compile statistics relative to the public highways of the state and collect all information in regard thereto which the Director of Transportation may deem important or of value in connection with highway location, construction, maintenance, improvement or operation.
(b) Keep on file in the office of the department copies of all plans, specifications and estimates prepared by the department.
(c) Make all necessary surveys for the location or relocation of highways and cause to be made and kept in the department a general highway plan of the state.
(d) Collect and compile information and statistics relative to the mileage, character and condition of highways and bridges in the different counties in the state, both with respect to state and county highways.
(e) Investigate and determine the methods of road construction best adapted in the various counties or sections of the state, giving due regard to the topography, natural character and availability of road-building materials and the cost of building and maintaining roads under this Act.
(f) Prepare surveys, plans, specifications and estimates for the construction, reconstruction, improvement, maintenance and repair of any bridge, street, road and highway. In advertising for bids on any such project the director shall invite bids in conformity with such plans and specifications.
(g) Keep an accurate and detailed account of all moneys expended in the location, survey, construction, reconstruction, improvement, maintenance or operation of highways, roads and streets, including costs for rights of way, under this Act, and keep a record of the number of miles so located, constructed, maintained or operated in each county, the date of construction, the width of such highways and the cost per mile for the construction and maintenance of the highways.
(h) Upon request of a county governing body, assist the county on matters relating to road location, construction or maintenance. Plans and specifications for bridges or culverts that are provided under this paragraph shall be provided without cost to the 10 counties with the lowest ratio of road miles maintained by each county to registered vehicles. Standard specifications for road projects shall be provided without cost to all counties. The Department of Transportation shall determine an amount to be charged for assistance under this paragraph in establishing specifications and standards for roads under ORS 368.036. The costs of assistance not specifically provided for under this paragraph shall be paid as provided by agreement between the county governing body and the director.
(i) Upon request of the State Parks and Recreation Department, assist the State Parks and Recreation Department in evaluating the potential need for construction, reconstruction, improvement, maintenance or operation of highways, roads and streets that would result if the State Parks and Recreation Commission acquired and developed a new historic site, park or recreation area under the criteria established pursuant to ORS 390.112 or any other criteria for acquisition established by the State Parks and Recreation Commission.
(2) The director may require duties with respect to audits and accounting procedures provided for in this section and ORS 366.165 to be performed and responsibilities to be assumed by the fiscal officer of the department appointed under ORS 184.637.
(3) In carrying out the duties set forth in this section, the director shall act in a manner that is consistent with the goal set forth in ORS 468B.155. [Amended by 1967 c.454 §33; 1971 c.598 §4; 1973 c.249 §32; 1981 c.153 §60; 1989 c.345 §6; 1989 c.833 §49; 1993 c.741 §36; 1995 c.79 §201; 1999 c.1038 §1; 2003 c.618 §22; 2017 c.750 §74; 2018 c.93 §7]