Minn. Stat. § 161.21
The commissioner may make or cause to be made such studies and investigations as the commissioner deems necessary for the purpose of determining the most advantageous location and design of trunk highways from the standpoint of both present and future traffic needs, and in making such determinations the commissioner may take into consideration the probable future development of both urban and rural areas and the effect of such development on future traffic needs as indicated by such studies and investigations and the location and design with respect to bikeway establishment.
Such studies and investigations may also be carried out by the commissioner in cooperation with any governmental authority or agency of this state or of any other state, the federal government or any of its agency, including the National Academy of Sciences, whenever federal law or federal rules and regulations require such studies in order for Minnesota to receive federal aid.
Minn. Stat. § 161.21
1959 c 500 art 2 s 21; 1963 c 115 s 1; 1973 c 620 s 3; 1986 c 444