The department has the following duties:
(1) direct approved highway planning and construction and maintenance, protection, and control of highways;
(2) employ assistants and employees;
(3) certify and approve vouchers;
(4) provide a program of highway research;
(6) review the annual highway program;
(7) develop and implement an avalanche control plan to protect persons who use public highways;
(8) review and respond to recommendations regarding the statewide transportation improvement program that are made by the Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board established under Alaska Stat. § 19.65.110;
(9) report, in a manner that is easily available to the public and the media, including on the department’s Internet website, on the progress of the Alaska marine highway system in meeting the performance goals established by the Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board under Alaska Stat. § 19.65.011.
