I. The department of transportation is authorized to employ a permanent full time maintenance crew for the Piscataqua river bridge between the city of Portsmouth and the town of Kittery, Maine. The personnel of said crew shall be responsible for the maintenance of said bridge pursuant to the provisions of the memoranda of understanding between the state of Maine, department of transportation, and the state of New Hampshire, department of transportation, dated July 26, 1972 and February 14, 1973, and any amendments thereto or substitute agreements on the same subject that may be effected, which memoranda were ratified by the respective states by letters of reference. The maintenance crew shall be under the supervision and direction of the bridge maintenance engineer of the department of transportation.
II. Any funds received from the state of Maine for the maintenance of said bridge pursuant to the memoranda of understanding cited in paragraph I, or any amendments thereto or substitute agreements, shall be applied against the total appropriation for maintenance of said bridge.