What is a Right-of-Way (ROW) primarily used for?

The concept of a Right-of-Way (ROW) refers primarily to the legal right to pass through property owned by another party. In the context of utility operations and transportation, a ROW is essential for allowing the passage of traffic, whether it be vehicles on a road or utility services such as pipelines, power lines, or communication cables. This physical strip of land is designated for specific use, which supports infrastructure development and the maintenance of public utilities.

The primary use of ROWs aligns with the need for effective management of transportation and utility corridors, facilitating safe and efficient movement and service delivery. This can include access for maintenance and service operations, ensuring that essential services like electricity, water, and telecommunications are adequately delivered to communities.

While planting trees, establishing property lines, and creating recreational spaces can occur in certain contexts, they are not the primary functions associated with ROWs. Those functions might sometimes overlap with land use surrounding ROWs but do not represent the core purpose of what a ROW is intended for in most practical and legal scenarios.