I. The selectmen of a town, the mayor of a city, or the county commissioners for an unincorporated place may annually apply to the commissioner of transportation in the manner prescribed by the commissioner for bridge aid on a class II, IV, or V highway or a county-owned road. The county commissioners may annually apply to the commissioner of transportation in the manner prescribed by the commissioner for bridge aid for a county-owned bridge.
II. The commissioner of transportation shall require that the highway design be in compliance with standards set forth in department of transportation manuals relating to bridge and highway construction and may adopt such manuals by reference.