State Aid Standards Development
March 2010
STATE AID AUTHORITY /
RESPONSONSIBILTY
• Authorized by Minnesota Statutes 162
• Rules Chapter 8820 Include Design Standards
• Standards Apply Only When Using State Aid Funds
• The purpose of the state-aid program is to provide resources
from the Highway Users Tax Distribution Fund to assist local
governments with the construction and maintenance of
community-interest highways and streets on the state-aid
system.
DEVELOPMENT OF STATE AID POLICY
• Developed Through a Peer Driven Process:
– Rules are Developed by 21 Member Advisory
Committee of Elected Officials and Engineers.
– Variance Committee of 5 Elected Officials and
Engineers Recommends Approval / Denial of
Variance Requests.
DEVELOPMENT OF STATE AID STANDARDS
• Standards are Derived From AASHTO (National) and
adapted by MnDOT for State Highways, then adapted
by State Aid for Major Local Roadways.
• Mn County Engineers Association and City Engineers
Association of Mn Review and Update Standards
Regularly.
• State Aid Division Solicits Suggestions for Rule
Revisions From Everyone.
EVOLVING FLEXIBILITY
• In 1986, 12’ lanes required on all MSAS routes. Now
only for > 40 mph.
• Allow parking in outside lanes during off peak if LOS
D is met during peak hour.
• Developed bike path standards and roundabout
design criteria.
• Allow landscaping items up to 5%.
• Minimal reconditioning standards.
APPLY COMMON SENSE
• State Aid Standards Do Promote Movement of
People and Freight, Accessibility, Safety, Driver
Expectation, and Wise Use of Funds , but –
• State Aid Standards Do Not Discourage or Obstruct
Sound Engineering Judgment In Any Specific
Situation
BALANCE
• Type of Traffic
• Surrounding Land
Use
• Natural Environment
• Safety
• Promote Wise Use of
Funds
URBAN NEW / RECONSTRUCTION
STANDARDS
• 8820.9936 Design Standards, Urban; New or
Reconstruction Projects.
URBAN
RECONDITIONING STANDARDS
• 8820.9946 Minimum Design Standards, Urban;
Reconditioning Projects. Subpart 1. Two-way streets.
RESIDENTIAL BUMP-OUT AND TEARDROP
COMMERCIAL AREA BUMP-OUTS
PHALEN BOULEVARD – ST. PAUL
WEST RIVER ROAD - BROOKLYN PARK
BEFORE
WEST RIVER ROAD - BROOKLYN PARK
AFTER
SHEPARD ROAD – ST. PAUL
7th AVE. ROUNDABOUT – GRAND RAPIDS