Improved state highways shall be continually maintained, and the snow removed from such sections of designated state highways as the department may determine, under the direction and control of the department at the expense of the State. [PL 1971, c. 593, §22 (AMD).]

The snow removal work shall include the plowing of these highways, the erection, maintenance, dismantling and rental of snow fences, and the sanding of icy road surfaces. It shall not include loading and hauling snow from any compact section. The State shall not be liable for accidents while the road surface is covered with snow and ice.

To carry out the preceding paragraph the department is authorized to hire equipment, preferably town owned, arrange contracts and erect or hire buildings for storage purposes. Purchases of necessary equipment or materials shall be made as provided in section 52. [PL 1971, c. 593, §22 (AMD).]

The maintenance provisions of this section and sections 705, 751, 1003 and 1005?A do not apply to compact areas of urban compact municipalities as defined in section 754. [PL 1999, c. 473, Pt. C, §5 (RPR).]