Buffalo County will (may) provide public road top only maintenance within established subdivisions on the following basis:

Subdivision must be properly platted and recorded with established roads dedicated to the public.

Subdivision must present the County Board of Commissioners a petition for such maintenance signed by a majority of property owners.

Maintenance will be on a "Low-priority" basis, as compared to "Regular or High-priority" main roads, school bus routes, emergency roads, section line and half section line roadways.

The County may require the subdivision to improve roads to minimum standards if there is difficulty operating maintenance vehicles because of such conditions. The cost of their improvement or any other significant road improvements shall be the financial responsibility of the subdivision.

Each subdivision should have an alternate snow removal plan in the event that emergency situations dictate the use of equipment elsewhere.

It is further recommended that each subdivision's governing body or committee appoint one representative within the subdivision to communicate problems or questions to the County Road Department.

Minimum Right of Way-66 feet requirement
Design Speed (MPH)-30 MPH or less
Maximum Curve (degree)-23.0 degree
Maximum Grade (%)-10%
Number of Lanes-2
Lane Width-10 feet each
Shoulder Width (feet)-3 feet
Lateral Obstacle Clearance (feet)-5 feet
Surface Type Minimum--Gravel

Drainage Facilities
Buffalo County will require the number of structures to accommodate adequate water drainage (culverts and bridges), as well as adequate drainage ditches to insure a safe travel surface for the traveling public. The County will not be responsible for any drainage structures that have not met requirements.

Turn Arounds
Minimum radius of 66.0 feet on dead end roads for adequate machine turn arounds.

Signing
Proper signing will be required on intersections within the subdivision as well as on main roads outside and/or leading into a subdivision. This includes proper dead end signs, obstacle markers and speed signs.

Driveways
Paved and hard surfaced driveways will be the responsibility of the landowner in the event of any reconstruction or maintenance work. New driveways within the subdivision are the responsibility of the landowner. Landowners must obtain a driveway permit from the County Highway Department, whereupon the Highway Department will check the location for drainage and/or culvert size. If a culvert is required, it will be the responsibility of the landowner to purchase the culvert and install it.

Trees, Etc.
Trees, shrubbery or flowers will not be allowed within the 66.0 feet of right of way, nor will fences be allowed within this right of way.

Snow Removal
Snow removal will consist of the traveled surface only as low priority. Driveways will be the responsibility of the landowner or tenant.

Maintenance
Those gravel roads within the subdivision will be treated as low priority as compared to other County gravel roads. Paved or hard surface roadways within the subdivision will be the responsibility of the subdivision as far as maintenance, patching, resurfacing or complete reconstruction. Buffalo County will assume snow removal of the traveled roadway only. Any outside construction or maintenance work done on those roads within the subdivision by a contractor or resident will not be the responsibility of Buffalo County liability and/or cost.

For additional information, please contact the Highway Department at 308-236-1237.