(a) To have general supervision over all township highways and bridges constructed, improved or maintained, in whole or in part, by the aid of State moneys, and to approve all agreements made by township supervisors for the expenditure of moneys appropriated by the State for road purposes;

(b) To approve plans and specifications and estimates for the erection and repair of township bridges and culverts, and for the construction and maintenance of township highways, but such plans and specifications shall not be approved unless they conform to the standards of the department, and no contract for the repair or construction of any township bridge or culvert or for the reconstruction of a township road shall be valid, unless such contract is in accordance with plans prescribed or unless plans, specifications, and estimates have been prepared or approved by the department;

(c) To furnish, from time to time, bulletins of instruction to the boards of township supervisors throughout the State for the building, repairing, maintenance, and improvement of township roads and bridges, and to furnish any additional information when called upon to do so. The department may also furnish, from time to time, free of charge, standard plans and specifications for permanent improvements in the building of bridges and culverts, establish all grades, proper drainage, and such other matters as may be deemed essential;

(d) To prescribe the method of keeping the township accounts and records of moneys received and expended for highways, machinery, bridges, tools, and implements, and for miscellaneous purposes; from time to time to cause examination of all such accounts and records to be made; and to furnish and supply to the several township officers necessary blanks, forms, and supplies, for the proper conduct of the road work of the township, including a treasurer's book. The department shall also furnish a treasurer's account book to each borough.