The department may administer a program to improve highways forming convenient connections between the University of Wisconsin System and state charitable or penal institutions, and the state trunk highway system, or to construct roadways under or over state trunk highways that pass through the grounds thereof, or to construct and maintain all drives and roadways on such grounds or the grounds of the state capitol. Within the limitations and for the purposes of this section, work may be performed by or under the supervision or authority of the department, upon the request for such work filed by the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System or the state boards, commissions, departments or officers, respectively, as to such work in connection with the institution controlled by them. The cost of any work under this section shall be the responsibility of the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System or the state boards, commissions, departments or officers involved.