The commissioner of transportation, with the approval of the governor and council, is hereby authorized to lay out and construct a bridge and the approaches thereto over Great Bay parallel to, on the downstream side of, the General Sullivan bridge. Except as may be inconsistent herewith and except as hereinafter otherwise provided, said bridge shall be laid out, constructed and operated in accordance with, and shall be subject to, the provisions of N.H. Rev. Stat. Chapter 237 including, but not limited to, N.H. Rev. Stat. § 237:24.