As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. 1. “Department” means the state department of transportation.
2. 2. “Highway authority” means the county board of supervisors, in the case of secondary roads, and the department, in the case of primary roads.
3. 3. “Highway right-of-way” means the total area of land, whether reserved by public ownership or easement, that is reserved for the operation and maintenance of a legally established public roadway. This area shall be deemed to consist of two portions, a central traveled way including the shoulders and that remainder on both sides of the road, between the outside shoulder edges and the outer boundaries of the right-of-way.
4. 4. “Obstruction” means an obstacle in the highway right-of-way, or an impediment or hindrance which impedes, opposes, or interferes with free passage along the highway right-of-way, not including utility structures installed in accordance with an approved permit.
5. 5. “Officer” means any department employee, county employee, or elected county official.
6. 6. “Traveled portion of the right-of-way” means that area of the highway right-of-way, not including the shoulders, on which vehicles normally travel.
7. 7. “Utility” means all private, public, municipal, or cooperative owned systems for water, sewer, natural gas, electric, telegraph, telephone, transit, pipeline, heating plants, railroads, bridges, street lights, or traffic control signals.
8. 8. “Utility structures” means the aboveground devices, required by a utility, including poles, lines, and wires, used for telephone, electric, natural gas, and other distribution or transmission purposes, and natural gas and electrical substations.

2006 Acts, ch 1097, §1