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This video will provide you with a basic understanding of the right of way map, a description of
some of its features, and how the map is intended to be used. Here are the topics covered in
this video. The Right of Way map becomes an important tool when attempting to find, understand,
and apply various documents and land management information associated with the State highway
system. The production of the Right of Way map has been ongoing since the agency formed
during the early 1920’s. Today, over 3,000 maps exist in this collection and they are
available on the Office of Land Management’s website. As a whole, basic standards are distinguishable
across the entire collection. However, between any two of the maps there can be a substantial
number of nuances setting them apart. If it’s true there is an exception to every rule,
then the right of way map is likely to lead you to find there is also a rule behind every
exception.
The purpose of a right of way map is for use as a general index to help locate other records
and official documents associated with the acquisition, disposal and administration of
highway right of way. A right of way map is typically created following the completion
of a State highway project. Subsequent changes to the right of way boundary limits or ownership
rights may or may not be shown on the map. The positional accuracy of any line symbol
and all measurement references are approximations. The map is not a boundary survey, an as-built
survey, or a plat, nor is it intended to represent or be used in place of the official documents
of record. For information about the current status of the right of way, right of way boundary
location, highway infrastructure, or specific rights or interests of the State of Minnesota
you should contact the appropriate MnDOT district transportation office.
This is an example of a right of way map. There is more to the map than what you see
here. When highway corridors are mapped the resulting documents are often lengthy and
are rolled if printed. If the horizontal fit is turned on you can see its length. This
map consists of 1 sheet. Many maps have two or more sheets, each separated at a match
line. Typically the left edge of the map contains basic title and reference details regarding
the entire project. Here we can see a vicinity map which provides a general location of the
specific highway on this map. There are references to the county the road is in, and other project
or segment index numbers. Sometimes a general description is provided with abbreviated termini
shown to define the particular segment of road. Just above the vicinity map we can see
this map is referred to as Map 32-56 in MnDOT’s map collection. The Control Section number
is a key index used throughout MnDOT and typically appears. This four digit number represents
a particular segment of road where the first 2 digits identify the county number as they
are listed in alphabetical order. The control section number is preceded by a SP or CS depending
on the age of the map.
Land purchased from adjoining owners to build, improve, and maintain the highway is delineated
by two key features on the map. First, the caption block shows the owner name and other
general references about the land acquired. Secondly, there are corresponding line symbols
and labeling that give basic reference as to where the land is located. Looking closer
at the map we can see for example, a parcel of land was purchased from Arthur A. Heard
in the SE Quarter of the SW Quarter of Section 14, Township 133, Range 37. The area of the
parcel acquired is 1.39 acres. This acquisition is referred to as Parcel 2. Records in MnDOT
corresponding to this parcel use the parcel identification number of 5604-901-0002. The
specific location of the acquired parcel is shown by the arrows. To get a clearer picture
of the circumstances let’s take a closer look at this parcel [zoom in] and I will point
out the meaning of the line symbols. The line with the single dash marks the new or current
right of way boundary. It is important to note that this means the boundary at the time
of the road project. If there was a later road project, a newer map would likely exist.
The line with 3 shorts dashes represents a previous right of way boundary. This boundary
may have been the result of a prior acquisition or may have come to exist by prescriptive
rights. It can also represent a boundary for right of way administered by a local road
authority typically seen where a local road intersects a state highway. Where railroad
right of way appears its boundary would be identified by a line with 2 short dashes.
The solid line with the evenly spaced tick marks and labeled in increments of 5 is referred
to as an alignment. Each tick represents 100 feet of measurement on the ground. The numbers
are referred to as engineering stationing. Typically stationing increases from left to
right. Alignment measurements are frequently shown on maps. Here we can see reference to
a curve used in defining the new right of way. It is not uncommon for multiple alignments
to exist for any given route so the user must consider or verify the alignment measurements
used. For more information regarding alignments, contact the MnDOT district surveyor. The link
for a current listing of MnDOT district surveyors by location appears at the end of this video.
For a period of about 10 years or so starting in the late 1980’s the Metric system was
used for mapping so it would be important to look for identifying references before
using any measurement information. Also appearing on the map are various ground features which
existed prior to the completion of the road project. The dashed line represents the edge
of surface of the previous road. The line with small x’s at even intervals is a fence.
Symbols also appear for trees, swamp lands, buildings, sidewalks, and many other physical
features. These maps are not as-built maps so in regard to the ground features it is
likely any feature shown within the limits of construction was no longer in existence
by the time the map was prepared. Line and point symbols referencing the Public Land
Survey System commonly appear on the maps. They are here and hear. Between these points
the longer dashed lines [point to a section line, quarter line, and sixteenth line] in
decreasing lengths of the dash represent section line, quarter line, and sixteenth lines. Up
to this point the map we’ve been looking at is a relatively simple and uncomplicated
example.
In the next example we see a much busier map. Different methods were applied to conserve
drawing space. Here instead of the single caption block a table of the parcels was made.
These tables are typically identified by the specific subdivision plat [point to heading]
or sometimes by section, township and range. This map gives a good perspective of how subsequent
acquisitions for a given location are numbered. Note parcels 24, 25, 26, 27 and so on. When
the road was widened additional right of way was required and the subsequent acquisitions
were numbered 224, 225, 226, 227, and the like. The combination of both sequences on
one map is somewhat uncommon because in most situations an entirely new map would have
been created. If there was a third acquisition in the area of these parcels they would be
numbered 324, 325, etc. For more detail about how parcels are numbered and special variations
see section 5-491.107.3, pages 17 through 21 of the Right of Way Manual available in
PDF format on the Office of Land Management website.
It is important to know that a parcel number can also be assigned to the acquisition of
a property right. MnDOT frequently acquires rights to restrict access to a highway. In
this map we can see access rights have been acquired along the highway right of way. This
is delineated with a line symbol broken at intervals with a small open circle at each
break in the line. Openings for highway access are shown like this. Any entry to the highway
is limited, up to the right of way boundary. The access control line symbol is always shown
offset to the right of way boundary line for clarity. Here we can see highway access that
at one time existed from engineer’s station 186-+03 to 186+63 but was later acquired as
parcel 201. Access here is now closed. We can also see there has been a reconveyance
of access rights, between station 183+50 to 184+10. Additional information about the reconveyance
appears in the caption block for this parcel.
Early right of way maps appear as raster files. Newer maps, those since the late 1980 or early
1990’s are in a CAD format. Here is an example of a newer map. Where older maps often do
not include a legend, a conventional symbol set is standard on new maps. Depending on
the software used to view the file you may or may not see the specific line symbols previously
discussed. This is because the Right of Way Mapping & Monitoring application uses AutoVue
software for the viewing of both raster and CAD formatted maps where MnDOT’s CAD development
environment makes use of MicroStation software in Bentley’s ProjectWise environment. The
result of this situation is the line styles for CAD files do not transfer to the AutoVue
environment. The CAD file on the left is from MicroStation/ProjecWise, on image on the right
is from AutoVue. Within the AutoVue environment, limited control and identification of the
CAD symbols is available by using the application’s Layer tool in the Manipulate, Visibility Control
option. However, naming conventions may be cryptic due to their MicroStaton/ProjectWise
nomenclature.
A majority of maps are created at a scale of 1 inch equals 100 feet. It not uncommon
however to also see 1 inch equals 50 feet, 1 inch equals 200 feet, and a variety of metric
scales. This map was laid out at 1 inch equals 100 feet, however somewhat unusual in this
case is the map was labeled in different sizes to accommodate paper plotting at 2 separate
scales. If using Right of Way Mapping & Monitoring’s viewing application, AutoVue, the actual scale
of any map can be verified using the Measure tool in the Analysis option. See the separate
video on the Right of Way Mapping & Monitoring sign-in screen for specific instruction in
the use of the this tool. Coordinate system and reference datum information
may appear on some maps but is only shown for general reference. Values for the local
reference system may have changed or the manner in which the information applies may be inconsistent.
Again, if you need this type of information contact the surveyor at the appropriate MnDOT
district office.
The right of way map is a valuable index for locating and using Commissioner’s orders.
Required by Minnesota Statute Section 161.16, Commissioner’s orders designate a highway
and specify the location of land and State interests. The majority of Commissioner’s
orders are in a narrative format however during the past 15 to 20 years a graphic form of
the order is used. Graphic orders are typically found in areas where there has been prior
platting of right of way. An examination of the Commissioner’s orders can be helpful
for resolving whether or not changes have occurred to the right of way boundary and
regarding the specific State interests for any given location. These records can be especially
useful when several right of way maps exist in the area of interest. The most current
order will identify the most current conditions. Commissioner’s order references may be found
in the mapped area or in a table format at the front of the map. Here we can see both
types appear on this map. The orders in the mapped area provide a direct engineering station
tie to their beginning and end. Sometimes the label for the order covers the entire
span of the order. In other circumstances where the order covers a great distance or
falls on another map, a lengthy label line won’t be used. Here you will want to look
for a matching pair of label flags, one on each end. When using the table version, look
for the control section and 900 number references if shown at the top of the table. On maps
with many control sections and many commissioner’s orders this heading can be very helpful in
narrowing down specific references. The table itself may be in one of two formats depending
on whether the order is defined by station to station or if by plat. Occasionally an
order may be shown below a single parcel caption block if the order reference is specific to
a parcel. The important thing to remember when working with Commissioner’s orders
is that both tables and flagging may exist on a map with some orders in the table and
some orders flagged, but for any given order, it will not appear in both places.
In situations where the State has taken over a road from a local road authority, Commissioner’s
orders are quite helpful for determining the right of way limits. Often a temporary Commissioner’s
order, referred to as acquired by Orders only, is not graphically shown on a map. A review
of the content of the order may be the only method to verify limits of the extent of the
right of way. Frequently the State acquires temporary easements from land owners which
can expire after road construction or following an established period, typically 5 years.
The expiration date often shown in the parcel caption can be a good clue as to when the
road project took place. All the Commissioner’s orders are available at the following site.
Areas of platted right of way on maps. Reference to a right of way plat may in some instances
be found within the parcel caption. Right of way platted areas can also be recognized
by their boundary corners or B-numbers depicted along right of way lines. Specific right of
way plat boundary lines and the dimensions of those lines, B-number to B-number, are
not typically shown. For these measurements the user of the map should consult the right
of way plat of record. The boundaries of right of way plats should always be verified by
the corresponding acquisition documents of record. A right of way plat is only a plan
of what was intended to be acquired. Changes to what the State actually needed for the
road project are not uncommon and circumstances may have changed following the official recording
of the plat which takes place prior to acquisition and construction.
As the demand for highway transportation changes MnDOT makes adjustment to the location of
the State’s highways. Routes no longer needed or lands acquired but used only to aid in
the process of building the road are disposed of. These disposals are referred as highway
turnbacks and reconveyances. Evidence of a turnback on the map appears with a caption
near the front of the map. It contains information referencing the local road authority receiving
the transferred road, corresponding dates, and the parcels involved. In the mapped area
the limits of the road turned back are delineated with a TB label. Each area also contains the
turnback’s release number reference. Turnbacks on old maps may not always be obvious as these
were indicated by shading that was applied to the back of the linen map for effect in
a direct print. These shaded areas do not appear in the electronic scanned images.
Reconveyances typically are shown with their extents labeled with “Reconveyed” and
a note is added to the parcel caption containing the date the quit claim deed was signed. The
area reconveyed may be the entire parcel, part of a parcel, or involve multiple parcels.
In both cases, turnbacks and reconveyances, it has been a common practice to add the newer
boundary, a line with a short single dash, however, rarely was there effort made to modify
the previous or old right of way boundary converting it from a single dash back to a
short 3 dashed line. As you may have realized, very recent updates may be shown on very old
maps when land disposals reference original parcel acquisitions. This demonstrates the
possibility that where multiple maps exist for a given location, all of them need be
simultaneously examined to determine the records applicable to the current right of way.
MnDOT office locations and contacts for the current status of right of way
For information about the current status of the right of way you should contact the surveyor
or right of way engineer at appropriate MnDOT district transportation office listed at this
link available on the Office of Land Management website.
This concludes the video on reading and understanding the basic elements for reading a MnDOT right
of way map.