The PROJECT MANAGEMENT UNIT is responsible for authorization of funds for Preliminary Engineering, Right of Way Acquisition and Utility Relocation, Construction and Landscape Development for TIP projects. The Unit analyzes all projects as to the type of funding for each major activity to maximize the utilization of all available revenue. Work Breakdown Structure Elements (WBS) are established to accumulate charges for all activities related to TIP project development. This requires approval by the Federal Highway Administration (federal funds) and the Board of Transportation (federal and state funds).

 The PROJECT MANAGEMENT UNIT prepares the items dealing with authorization of funds for the Board of Transportation agenda: Item J (State Funds), Item K (State Trust Funds – Intrastate and Urban Loops or State Bond Funds– Intrastate and Urban Loops), Item L (Spot Safety Funds) and Item M (Federal Aid Funds). The Unit is responsible for assuring that all legal and regulatory requirements are met before making funding authorizations. Projects are monitored and additional funds are obligated for changes in project scope, or if expenditures exceed the previously authorized budget. The Unit recommends closing the WBS elements upon project completion or when they are no longer required.

 Another duty of the PROJECT MANAGEMENT UNIT is the management of information on the status of projects. The Unit publishes a monthly 12-Month Tentative Letting List that is used to coordinate contract lettings for the next year. Projects are closely monitored to ensure schedules are met. The 12-Month Tentative Letting List is extremely valuable to the construction industry as well as the Division of Highways construction staff for planning manpower and equipment needs. It also provides the basis for short-term budget projections. Another report, prepared and distributed monthly to DOT staff, is the 6-Month Right Of Way List. This report schedules the projects proposed for Right of Way Acquisition.

 Management saw a need for assistance in helping the Division of Highways accomplish its goals and objectives in the timely delivery of the Transportation Improvement Program, referred to as the "T.I.P." The PROJECT SCHEDULING was created in 1985 to provide this assistance.

 The Unit was given the responsibility to accurately develop, maintain, monitor and report the anticipated schedules and the current status of preconstruction engineering activities for projects programmed in the T.I.P. To this end, the Project STaRS System was developed as a central focal point for the coordination and reporting of project schedules between all the Preconstruction Units.

 With the implementation of this system in 2004, the unit’s name was changed to be the PROJECT SCHEDULING / PROJECT STaRS UNIT. Along with this came the new responsibility of maintaining Standard Networks for project schedules.