Chapter 160 — Scope of Chapters 160 to 165
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 160 — Scope of Chapters 160 to 165
15.001
Application of Laws 2005, Chapter 56, Terminology Changes
State agencies must update terminology in printed materials and signs as they are replaced, per 2005 law changes.
160.001
This section number is no longer used as an operative statute. The content was renumbered to section 15.001.
160.01
Scope of Chapters 160 to 165
This section sets the scope of chapters 160 to 165 and how Minnesota roads are classified. For these chapters, roads are …
160.011
Section 160.011 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.012
Section 160.012 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.013
Section 160.013 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.02
Definitions
Defines key terms used throughout the highway and road laws, such as road authority, highway, and bikeway.
160.021
Section 160.021 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.03
Compensation for Public Property
Whenever public property is taken, damaged, or destroyed for highway purposes, just compensation must be paid for it.
160.031
Section 160.031 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.04
Width of Roads
All new roads except cartways must be at least four rods (66 feet) wide.
160.041
Section 160.041 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.05
Dedication of Roads
A road becomes dedicated to the public when a road authority has used, kept in repair, and worked it for at least six …
160.051
Section 160.051 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.06
Trail or Portage Dedication
A trail or portage between public or navigable waters, or from such water to a public highway, that the general public …
160.061
Section 160.061 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.07
Improvements Within or Without Boundaries
Road authorities may make improvements within or outside their road boundaries.
160.071
Section 160.071 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.08
Controlled Access
Road authorities may designate controlled-access highways that limit driveway access.
160.081
Section 160.081 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.085
Recording Proposed Acquisition for Road
Road authorities can record maps showing land they plan to acquire for road projects.
160.09
Change or Vacation of Local Road
Road authorities may change or vacate local roads through a formal hearing process.
160.091
Section 160.091 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.095
Designation of Minimum-maintenance Roads
Road authorities may designate certain roads as minimum-maintenance roads with reduced upkeep.
160.10
Roads on Mineral Lands
Roads on mineral lands can be relocated when mining operations need the land.
160.101
Section 160.101 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.11
Materials for Building Roads
Road authorities (the commissioner of transportation, county boards, town boards, or city governing bodies) may acquire …
160.111
Section 160.111 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.12
Temporary Roads Around Construction
Road authorities may build temporary detour roads during construction.
160.121
Section 160.121 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.13
Lighting and Marking Highways
Road authorities may install lighting and traffic markings on highways.
160.131
Section 160.131 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.14
Marking Boundaries of Highways
Road authorities may place and must maintain monuments or other devices marking the boundary lines of highways, and the …
160.141
Section 160.141 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.15
Preserving Section or Quarter-section Corners
When building, rebuilding, or maintaining a road destroys a public land survey corner marker, the road authority must …
160.151
Section 160.151 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.16
Warning Signs and Detour Signs
Road contractors must post warning signs and detour signs during construction.
160.161
Section 160.161 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.165
Mitigating Transportation Project Impacts on Business
When a street, highway, or rail transit project is expected to impair road access, parking, or visibility for one or …
160.17
Road Construction Contracts; Counties and Towns
For county or town road construction or improvement contracts above the sealed-bid threshold in section 471.345, the …
160.171
Section 160.171 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.18
Access to Roads; Approaches
Property owners have a right to access their land from public roads through driveway approaches.
160.181
Section 160.181 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.19
Drainage Ditch Crossing Railroad Right-of-way
Drainage ditches along highways may cross railroad rights-of-way when needed.
160.191
Section 160.191 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.20
Drainage
Landowners may connect private drainage to highway drainage ditches with permission.
160.201
Public Road Ditches
Road authorities may improve and maintain public road ditches for drainage.
160.21
Snow Removal
Road authorities (including cities, counties, and towns) may contract with each other and with state agencies or …
160.211
Section 160.211 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.215
Snow Removal; Salt and Chemicals Restricted
Road salt and chemical use must be minimized to protect vehicles, water, and the environment.
160.22
Trees
Road authorities may plant and maintain trees and shrubs along highways.
160.221
Section 160.221 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.23
Destruction of Noxious Weeds
Road authorities must destroy noxious weeds growing along highways.
160.231
Section 160.231 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.232
Mowing Ditches Outside Cities
To provide roadside habitat for nesting birds and other small wildlife, road authorities generally may not mow or till …
160.2325
Highways for Habitat Program
Creates a highways for habitat program to improve wildlife habitat along road corridors.
160.235
Traffic Signal Timing Optimization
A road authority that owns a traffic signal on a principal arterial roadway, or on a roadway carrying more than 20,000 …
160.24
Logging Railroads Across Highways
Road authorities may allow temporary logging railroad crossings over highways.
160.241
Section 160.241 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.25
Tunnels Under Highways
A road authority may permit an owner or lessee of land abutting both sides of a highway to build a tunnel under the …
160.251
Section 160.251 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.26
Moving Buildings Over Highways
Moving a building across a highway requires a permit from the road authority.
160.261
Section 160.261 has been repealed or renumbered and contains no operative statutory text. The body cross-references …
160.262
Bikeways
Road authorities may build and maintain bikeways along highways.
160.263
Bicycle Lanes, Routes, and Paths
Sets rules for bicycle lanes, routes, and paths along Minnesota highways.
160.264
Replacing Bikeways and Pedestrian Ways
When a road project removes a bikeway or pedestrian way, it must be replaced.
160.265
Section 160.265 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.266
State Bicycle Routes
The commissioner may designate state bicycle routes across Minnesota.
160.27
Particular Uses of Right-of-way; Misdemeanors
This section sets the rules for specific permitted uses of highway rights-of-way, most requiring approval from the road …
160.271
Section 160.271 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.2715
Right-of-way Use; Misdemeanors
Unauthorized structures and activities in highway rights-of-way are misdemeanors.
160.272
Safety Rest Area and Travel Information Center Leases
The commissioner may lease safety rest areas and travel information centers.
160.2721
Commercial Vehicle Drivers at Rest Areas
Commercial vehicle drivers may use rest areas for required rest breaks.
160.2725
Sales at Safety Rest Areas
Limited sales and services may be offered at safety rest areas.
160.273
Vending Machines
The commissioner may authorize vending machines at rest areas and other highway facilities.
160.2735
Sponsorship of Safety Rest Areas
Private sponsors may fund rest area improvements in exchange for recognition.
160.274
Sale of Surplus Rest Area Property
The commissioner may reconvey land that is no longer needed for safety rest area purposes, subject to the requirements …
160.2745
Safety Rest Area Account
Creates a separate account in the trunk highway fund for rest area expenses.
160.275
Section 160.275 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.2755
Prohibited Activities at Rest Areas
At highway rest areas it is unlawful to dispose of travel-related trash and rubbish except in a designated receptacle, …
160.276
Travel Information Advertising Program
The commissioner may operate a travel information advertising program on highways.
160.277
Section 160.277 has been renumbered. Its provisions were moved into section 160.276 (subdivisions 1, 2, and 3 became …
160.278
Section 160.278 has been renumbered. Its provisions were moved into section 160.276 (subdivisions 1 and 2 became …
160.28
Plans for Public Travel Facilities
The commissioner of transportation may have plans, specifications, and detailed designs prepared for constructing …
160.281
Tourist Information Center in South Dakota
Minnesota may operate a tourist information center in South Dakota near the state border.
160.282
Public Travel Facilities
This section lets the commissioner of transportation negotiate contracts, with or without bids, for maintenance services …
160.283
Resort Information Signs; Purpose
This section sets the scope and definitions for resort directional signs governed by sections 160.283 to 160.285. Those …
160.284
Resort Signs; Design and Manufacture
MnDOT must design standard resort information signs for highway use.
160.285
Resort Signs; County Participation
A county may spend its road and bridge funds to buy and erect resort directional signs under section 160.283 along …
160.29
Vacation of Public Ways by Municipality
This section defines key terms and addresses easements when a municipality (defined here as any city, county, or town) …
160.291
Section 160.291 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.292
Information Signs for Specific Services; Definitions
Defines terms for the specific service highway sign program.
160.293
Specific Service Signs; Intended Use
Specific service signs direct travelers to gas, food, lodging, and other services.
160.294
Specific Service Sign Details
Sets design and construction standards for specific service signs.
160.295
Criteria for Specific Service Signs
Businesses on specific service signs must meet certain criteria.
160.296
Specific Service Signs; Administration; Rules
Sets the application process and fees for specific service signs.
160.297
Other Sign Laws
The specific service sign program is in addition to other highway sign laws.
160.298
Highway Sign Program; Billing, Account, Appropriation
MnDOT may bill its units for highway sign program costs.
160.30
Section 160.30 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.301
Section 160.301 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.31
Section 160.31 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.311
Section 160.311 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.32
Section 160.32 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.321
Section 160.321 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.33
Section 160.33 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.331
Section 160.331 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.34
Section 160.34 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.341
Section 160.341 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.35
Section 160.35 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.351
Section 160.351 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.36
Section 160.36 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.361
Section 160.361 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.37
Section 160.37 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.371
Section 160.371 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.38
Section 160.38 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.381
Section 160.381 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.39
Section 160.39 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.391
Section 160.391 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.40
Section 160.40 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.401
Section 160.401 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.41
Section 160.41 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.411
Section 160.411 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.42
Section 160.42 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.421
Section 160.421 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.43
Section 160.43 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.431
Section 160.431 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.432
Section 160.432 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.433
Section 160.433 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.435
Section 160.435 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.44
Section 160.44 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.441
Section 160.441 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.45
Section 160.45 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.451
Section 160.451 is no longer in effect. The material formerly carried under this number was renumbered to section …
160.46
Section 160.46 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.461
Section 160.461 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.47
Section 160.47 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.471
Section 160.471 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.475
Section 160.475 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.48
Section 160.48 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.481
Section 160.481 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.49
Section 160.49 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.491
Section 160.491 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.50
Section 160.50 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.501
Section 160.501 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.51
Section 160.51 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.511
Section 160.511 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.512
Section 160.512 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.513
Section 160.513 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.52
Section 160.52 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.521
Section 160.521 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.53
Section 160.53 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.531
Section 160.531 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.54
Section 160.54 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.541
Section 160.541 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.55
Section 160.55 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.551
Section 160.551 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.56
Section 160.56 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.561
Section 160.561 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.57
Section 160.57 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.571
Section 160.571 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.58
Section 160.58 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.581
Section 160.581 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.59
Section 160.59 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.591
Section 160.591 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.60
Section 160.60 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.601
Section 160.601 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.61
Section 160.61 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.611
Section 160.611 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.62
Section 160.62 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.621
Section 160.621 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.63
Section 160.63 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.631
Section 160.631 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.64
Section 160.64 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.641
Section 160.641 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.65
Section 160.65 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.651
Section 160.651 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.66
Section 160.66 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.661
Section 160.661 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.67
Section 160.67 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.671
Section 160.671 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.68
Section 160.68 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.681
Section 160.681 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.69
Section 160.69 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.691
Section 160.691 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.692
Section 160.692 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.70
Section 160.70 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.701
Section 160.701 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.702
Section 160.702 has been repealed or is reserved.
160.80
Sign Franchise Program
The commissioner may establish a sign franchise program on highways.
160.801
Highway Sponsorship Program
The commissioner may create a highway sponsorship program.
160.802
Automatic External Defibrillator Wayfinding Signs
A business or property owner with an outdoor public access automatic external defibrillator (AED) may ask the relevant …
160.81
Highways in Scenic Areas
The commissioner of transportation, working with the commissioner of natural resources, must set design standards for …
160.82
Park Roads
A park road is the portion of a street or highway located entirely within the boundaries of a city, county, regional, or …
160.83
Rustic Roads Program
A road authority other than the commissioner may, by resolution, designate a road under its jurisdiction as a rustic …
160.84
Definitions
Defines terms used in the toll facility provisions of highway law.
160.845
Restrictions on Toll Facility
Road authorities may not convert existing free highways into toll roads.
160.85
Authority for Toll Facility
A road authority may solicit or accept proposals from private operators and enter into development agreements to …
160.86
Toll Facility Development Agreement; Requirements
Toll facility development agreements must include specific required terms.
160.87
Toll Facility Cost Recovery
Toll revenues must be applied to repaying debt incurred for the toll facility, making payments owed to the road …
160.88
Public Toll Facilities
Road authorities may own and operate public toll facilities.
160.89
Toll Facility Revenue Bonds
Road authorities may issue revenue bonds to finance toll facilities.
160.90
Law Enforcement on Toll Facilities
Law enforcement has full authority on toll facilities within their jurisdiction.
160.91
Joint Authority Over Toll Facility
Two or more road authorities may share jurisdiction over a toll facility.
160.92
Toll Facility Replacement Projects
When a highway project in the metropolitan area is already scheduled in the transportation department's six-year work …
160.93
User Fees; High-occupancy Vehicle and Dynamic Shoulder Lanes
The commissioner may charge user fees on HOV lanes and dynamic shoulder lanes.
160.98
Prohibition on Road and Bridge Privatization
Road authorities may not privatize existing public roads or bridges.
161.115
Additional Trunk Highways
Lists the additional trunk highways added to the state highway system.
169.901
Section 169.901 has been repealed or is reserved.
218.025
Rates for Shipping Road Materials
The commissioner may set shipping rates for road construction materials on railroads.