The director of transportation may secure suitable buildings for housing, storing, caring for, and keeping in repair, automobiles, motor trucks, road machinery, and other equipment owned by the department of transportation. Such buildings may be secured by purchase or lease or by the purchase of a suitable site and the erection thereon of suitable buildings. The director may equip such buildings with the necessary tools and equipment for the care and repair of such automobiles, trucks, machinery, and other equipment. The expense incurred by the director in providing such sites and buildings, and storing, housing, caring for, and repairing such automobiles, trucks, machinery, and equipment, shall be paid from any available funds of the department.