Okla. Stat. tit. 69, § 69-306

Immediately upon the election and qualification of the Executive

Director of the Department of Transportation, he or she shall become

vested with the duties and powers of the management and control of

the Department of Transportation, under such orders, rules and

regulations as may be prescribed by the State Transportation

Commission; and in addition thereto he or she shall have the

following specific powers and duties:

1. To supervise the state highway system under rules and

regulations prescribed by the Commission;

2. To appoint and employ, supervise and discharge such

professional, clerical, skilled and semiskilled help, labor and

other employees as may be deemed necessary for the proper discharge

of the duties of the Department and to fix and determine the

salaries or wages to be paid subject to all such rules and

regulations as may be promulgated by the Commission, and subject to

the policies, rules and regulations of the Office of Management and

Enterprise Services and the State Merit System of Personnel

Administration;

3. To investigate and determine upon the various methods of

road and bridge construction and maintenance in the different

sections of the state;

4. To aid at all times in promoting highway improvements and

maintenance throughout the state;

5. To make recommendations to the Commission in the letting of

all contracts for construction or improvements of state highways or

any contract for road or bridge construction or improvement where

the work is being done in whole or in part with state or federal

monies; and to act for the Commission in the purchase of all

materials, equipment and supplies as provided for in this Code;

6. To place on the state highway system any road he or she

deems necessary and to the best interest of the state, when approved

by a majority of the entire Commission, and to eliminate from the

state highway system any road when approved by a majority of the

entire Commission;

7. To approve and pay claims for the services of professional,

clerical, skilled and semiskilled help, laborers and other

employees, for the Commission, when the salary or wages of such help

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 69. Roads, Bridges, and Ferries Page 36

and employees shall have been previously approved by the Commission;

and to approve and pay progressive estimates on work done or

contracts performed, where such work or contracts have theretofore

been approved by the Commission; and to approve and pay claims for

the purchase of equipment, materials and supplies theretofore

authorized by the Commission;

8. To make emergency purchases of equipment, materials and

supplies, and emergency contracts for construction and repairs,

under rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission;

9. To grant permission to state agencies, municipalities and

water companies or districts to lay any water pipeline within the

rights-of-way of state highways, when approved by the Commission;

10. To act for the Department in all matters except as

otherwise provided in this Code; and

11. The Executive Director is hereby authorized to employ the

necessary personnel who shall have the duty to issue oversize and

overweight permits in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 14

of Title 47 of the Oklahoma Statutes and to collect the fees

therefor and to remit the same to the Oklahoma Tax Commission or as

otherwise provided by law.