Purpose of the Bill

The aim of this bill is to update the engineering and design standards for state-aid roadway projects in Minnesota. It allows local road authorities more flexibility to adopt their own design elements without needing variances approved by state authorities.

Main Provisions

• Local Design Control: Cities or counties can adopt alternative roadway design standards through a formal resolution. These standards must align with recognized guides, such as those from the Department of Transportation, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and other specified organizations.

• State Review Exemption: The bill exempts local authorities who adopt alternative design standards from state review of their roadway designs, except for checking the vertical clearances of underpasses.

• Advisory Committee: Establishes an advisory committee on design variances, which will provide recommendations and assist in the variance process.

• Legislative Oversight: Requires that the state legislature be notified if any design variance requests are denied, ensuring accountability and oversight.

• Reporting Requirement: Mandates the submission of a report that covers the new variance procedures and the outcomes observed from applying local design standards.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill amends portions of Minnesota Statutes 2024 related to the process by which variances from standard design rules are granted, promoting more local autonomy.
• It repeals specific parts of Minnesota Rules that currently govern geometric design standards, streamlining regulations to allow more tailored local approaches.

Relevant Terms

• Roadway design standards
• State-aid projects
• Design variance
• Local authorities
• Underpass vertical clearances
• Advisory committee
• Alternative design standards
• AASHTO
• NACTO
• Legislative notification