When a city incorporates, that government becomes responsible for all roadways within its city limits, including any state numbered streets. Cities must then create a municipal maintenance agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation to determine the responsibilities of the city and the state for constructing, reconstructing and maintaining state roadways. These agreements give a city “exclusive domain, control and jurisdiction over the public streets within its corporate limits,” according to TxDOT.

The state agency can indicate which roadways it will continue maintaining. To create a municipal maintenance agreement, a city meets with TxDOT to discuss maps identifying state roadways within city limits; lists of roadways maintained by TxDOT and by the city; maintenance requests on those roadways; and a list of exhibits, such as landscaping and filtration system plans. A city will then approve a resolution to enter into an agreement with TxDOT. Both the city and TxDOT will review and approve their responsibilities to execute the agreement.