1. Classification. The department shall cause charts and maps to be made showing the location and mileage of all highways in the State, and shall classify the highways of the State, and may, from time to time, amend that classification, namely: First, state highways, which mean a system of connected main highways throughout the State which primarily serve arterial or through traffic; 2nd, state aid highways, which mean those highways not included in the system of state highways which primarily serve as collector and feeder routes connecting local service roads to the arterial state highway system; and 3rd, town ways, which mean all other highways not included in the first 2 classes, which are maintained by the towns and primarily serve as local service roads providing access to adjacent land. The criteria to be used in the classification of highways shall be considered rulemaking and subject to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II.

2. Maintenance, repair and upkeep. The maintenance, repair and upkeep of any and all state and state aid highways that are reclassified as towns ways pursuant to subsection 1 shall be the responsibility of the respective towns in which those ways lie and any and all rights of the State in those highways are transferred to the respective towns for those purposes.