Tenn. Code Ann. § 54-1-118: Contracting with University of Tennessee

The commissioner is authorized and empowered to enter into a contract or contracts with the University of Tennessee regarding:

(1) The development and testing of new materials to be used in constructing and maintaining roads, bridges and highways;

(2) The development of more economical methods of designing, constructing and maintaining roads, bridges and highways; and

(3) The training of personnel in the fundamentals of highway engineering.