(a) The department shall maintain, or cause to be maintained, any project constructed by the department under the provisions of AS 19.30.111 - 19.30.241, except that upon mutual agreement of the commissioner and the local government the responsibility for maintenance may be transferred to the local government if it is authorized to assume road maintenance powers.
(b) The department shall continue maintenance on all projects maintained by the department on January 1, 1980.
(c) A local government may contract with the department for maintenance of a project. The maximum annual maintenance cost to the local government may not exceed twice the amount of state aid to municipalities for roads.