Subdivision 1. Definition. A "rustic road" is a road that is not on the state-aid system that has the following characteristics: outstanding natural features or scenic beauty; an average daily traffic volume of less than 150 vehicles per day; year-round use as a local access road; and maximum allowable speed of 45 miles per hour.
Subd. 2. Local authority. A road authority other than the commissioner may, by resolution, designate a road or highway under its jurisdiction a rustic road and the road authority may designate the type and character of vehicles that may be operated on the rustic road; designate the road or a portion of the road as a pedestrian way or bicycle way, or both; and establish priority of right-of-way, paint lines, and construct dividers to physically separate vehicular, bicycle, or pedestrian traffic.
Subd. 3. Joint designation. Two or more road authorities may jointly designate a rustic road along a common boundary or into or through their jurisdictions. The road authorities may enter into agreements to divide the costs and responsibility for maintaining the rustic road.
Subd. 4. Costs. A rustic road must be maintained by the road authority having jurisdiction over the road and is not eligible for state-aid funding. State money must not be spent to construct, reconstruct, maintain, or improve a rustic road.
Subd. 5. Liability. (a) A rustic road may be maintained at a level less than the minimum standards required for state-aid highways, roads, and streets, but must be maintained at the level required to serve anticipated traffic volumes. Where a road has been designated by resolution as a rustic road and speed limits have been posted under subdivision 1, the road authority with jurisdiction over the road, and its officers and employees, are exempt from liability for any tort claim for injury to person or property arising from travel on the rustic road related to its maintenance, design, or condition if:
(1) the maintenance, design, or condition is consistent with the anticipated use as described in subdivision 2; and
(2) the maintenance, design, or condition is not grossly negligent.
(b) Nothing in this subdivision exempts a road authority from its duty to maintain bridges under chapter 165 or other applicable law.
1991 c 298 art 4 s 3; 1996 c 455 art 3 s 2
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 160 - 174A — Transportation
Chapter 160 — Roads, General Provisions
Section 160.01 — Scope Of Chapters 160 To 165.
Section 160.03 — Compensation For Public Property.
Section 160.04 — Width Of Roads.
Section 160.05 — Dedication Of Roads.
Section 160.06 — Trail Or Portage Dedication.
Section 160.07 — Improvements Within Or Without Boundaries.
Section 160.08 — Controlled Access.
Section 160.085 — Recording Proposed Acquisition For Road.
Section 160.09 — Change Or Vacation Of Local Road.
Section 160.095 — Designation Of Minimum-maintenance Roads.
Section 160.10 — Roads On Mineral Lands.
Section 160.11 — Materials For Building Roads.
Section 160.12 — Temporary Roads Around Construction.
Section 160.13 — Lighting And Marking Highways.
Section 160.14 — Marking Boundaries Of Highways.
Section 160.15 — Preserving Section Or Quarter-section Corners.
Section 160.16 — Warning Signs And Detour Signs.
Section 160.165 — Mitigating Transportation Project Impacts On Business.
Section 160.17 — Road Construction Contracts; Counties And Towns.
Section 160.18 — Access To Roads; Approaches.
Section 160.19 — Drainage Ditch Crossing Railroad Right-of-way.
Section 160.201 — Public Road Ditches.
Section 160.21 — Snow Removal.
Section 160.215 — Snow Removal; Salt And Chemicals Restricted.
Section 160.23 — Destruction Of Noxious Weeds.
Section 160.232 — Mowing Ditches Outside Cities.
Section 160.235 — Traffic Signal Timing Optimization.
Section 160.24 — Logging Railroads Across Highways.
Section 160.25 — Tunnels Under Highways.
Section 160.26 — Moving Buildings Over Highways.
Section 160.263 — Bicycle Lanes, Routes, And Paths.
Section 160.264 — Replacing Bikeways And Pedestrian Ways.
Section 160.266 — State Bicycle Routes.
Section 160.27 — Particular Uses Of Right-of-way; Misdemeanors.
Section 160.2715 — Right-of-way Use; Misdemeanors.
Section 160.272 — Safety Rest Area And Travel Information Center Leases.
Section 160.2721 — Commercial Vehicle Drivers At Rest Areas.
Section 160.2725 — Sales At Safety Rest Areas.
Section 160.273 — Vending Machines.
Section 160.2735 — Sponsorship Of Safety Rest Areas.
Section 160.274 — Sale Of Surplus Rest Area Property.
Section 160.2745 — Safety Rest Area Account.
Section 160.2755 — Prohibited Activities At Rest Areas.
Section 160.276 — Travel Information Advertising Program.
Section 160.28 — Plans For Public Travel Facilities.
Section 160.281 — Tourist Information Center In South Dakota.
Section 160.282 — Public Travel Facilities.
Section 160.283 — Resort Information Signs; Purpose.
Section 160.284 — Resort Signs; Design And Manufacture.
Section 160.285 — Resort Signs; County Participation.
Section 160.29 — Vacation Of Public Ways By Municipality.
Section 160.292 — Information Signs For Specific Services; Definitions.
Section 160.293 — Specific Service Signs; Intended Use.
Section 160.294 — Specific Service Sign Details.
Section 160.295 — Criteria For Specific Service Signs.
Section 160.296 — Specific Service Signs; Administration; Rules.
Section 160.297 — Other Sign Laws.
Section 160.298 — Highway Sign Program; Billing, Account, Appropriation.
Section 160.80 — Sign Franchise Program.
Section 160.801 — Highway Sponsorship Program.
Section 160.81 — Highways In Scenic Areas.
Section 160.83 — Rustic Roads Program.
Section 160.845 — Restrictions On Toll Facility.
Section 160.85 — Authority For Toll Facility.
Section 160.86 — Toll Facility Development Agreement; Requirements.
Section 160.87 — Toll Facility Cost Recovery.
Section 160.88 — Public Toll Facilities.
Section 160.89 — Toll Facility Revenue Bonds.
Section 160.90 — Law Enforcement On Toll Facilities.
Section 160.91 — Joint Authority Over Toll Facility.
Section 160.92 — Toll Facility Replacement Projects.
Section 160.93 — User Fees; High-occupancy Vehicle And Dynamic Shoulder Lanes.
Section 160.98 — Prohibition On Road And Bridge Privatization.