State Aid Publications

The fall report shows the estimated allocation for the next calendar year, based on the unit prices from the spring report. It must be approved before the funds are distributed in January.

The fall report shows the estimated allocation for the next calendar year, based on the unit prices from the spring report. It must be approved before the funds are distributed in January.

The objectives of this study were to assure that through critical reassessment of elements affecting width standards that the standards are indeed an up-to-date reflection of the best of available technical knowledge past and present; and to furnish the engineer facing the public a documentation of sound reasons for the standard; he is called upon to observe and defend. The study involved a multi-dimensional approach including a study of present professional practice, a historical review, and an evaluation of the safety, operational environmental and cost aspects of width elements. Variables considered include human factors responses, basic driver-vehicle-road relationships, system or network considerations, costs of construction and maintenance, and environmental impacts. The project included the collection and synthesis of data, studies, information, unit values, etc. which describe each of the important variables and where necessary reflect the sensitivities of Minnesota conditions. This synthesis process enabled formal evaluation of all pertinent width elements resulting in a series of statements and recommendations concerning optimal values for input to Minnesota state aid design standards. A rational process for considering exceptional cases is suggested.

This publication is intended for use as an introduction to Minnesota State Aid standards. It answers several questions regarding standards; e.g., how are standards developed, how are they applied, why are they necessary, in non-engineering terms. The booklet can be used alone or along with the companion synchronized slide-tape presentations (Urban Standards, Rural Standards). A trifold pamphlet for use as a handout with the slide-tape presentations is also available

The final meeting of the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) and Trunk Highway Rural Design Standards Task Force was held on November 3,1989. This final report is hereby submitted for review by the Steering Committee and transmittal to the Mn/DOT Operations Management Team and the Executive Committee of the Minnesota County Highway Engineers Association. The report contains background information and recommendations developed through 14 meetings beginning in December 1988. An executive summary is included for the convenience of readers. The report will be of interest to those administering the standards, and those called upon to support them in public, as well as to those undertaking revisions in the future. The primary objective of the Task Force was to achieve a greater measure of agreement between rural design standards used for two independent county and state highway systems supported in part by the state highway user distribution fund. This objective will have been largely accomplished if the recommendations of the Task Force are formally adopted by the authorities responsible.

A careful examination of our State Trunk Highway System in 1972 revealed the following: - Demands and requests for highway improvements throughout the state far exceeded our ability to finance them. - Road improvements contained in the program surpassed available finances. - Construction standards had been increased by the Federal Government for all projects involving federal funds resulting in sharply increased costs. - Inflationary forces had reduced the amount of construction that could be obtained. - Revenues had not been increased for state highway construction by the 1971 State Legislature. Obviously, a financially realistic highway plan was needed.

The spring report shows the unit prices for items in the needs calculation for the next calendar year. These include the cost of signs, the costs of various types of pavements, and the cost of maintenance of culverts and bridges.

The spring report shows the unit prices for items in the needs calculation for the next calendar year. These include the cost of signs, the costs of various types of pavements, and the cost of maintenance of culverts and bridges.

The Municipal State Aid Street (MSAS) Apportionment Data, or January book, shows the annual allocation of funds for the year from Minnesota Department of Highways/Minnesota Department of Transportation to each municipality with a population over 5,000 for the construction and maintenance of their highways, with the breakdown and backup showing how those numbers were calculated.

The County State Aid Highway (CSAH) Distribution Data, or January book, shows the annual allocation of funds for the year from Minnesota Department of Highways/Minnesota Department of Transportation to each county for the construction and maintenance of their county highways, with the breakdown and backup showing how those numbers were calculated. The January book was formerly known as the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) Apportionment Data.