60-3-304. Duties of department of transportation. (1) The allocation of available funds for the maintenance, repair, and establishment of shared-use paths and the expenditure of funds as authorized by this part are primarily for the maintenance and repair of shared-use paths and for the promotion of traffic safety on the highways, roads, and streets of the state.

(2) The transportation commission shall, when requested, provide technical assistance and advice to cities and counties in carrying out the purpose of this part.

(3) The department of transportation shall:

(a) maintain an inventory of all shared-use paths located in the right-of-way of each state-maintained federal-aid highway in Montana;

(b) maintain a plan for maintenance and repair of all the shared-use paths described in subsection (3)(a);

(c) recommend construction and maintenance standards for shared-use paths;

(d) provide a uniform system of signing shared-use paths that applies to all shared-use paths, whether under the jurisdiction of the commission or a city or county; and

(e) as provided in 60-3-309, allocate funds in the account established in 61-3-321(21).

(4) (a) Except as provided in subsection (4)(b), shared-use paths may not be used by motorized vehicles.

(b) The transportation commission, a city or county, or the commission jointly with a city or county may authorize the use of snowmobiles on all or a portion of a shared-use path under its jurisdiction.