þjóðbraut (ON) noun

This word, together with ON þjóðgata (q.v.) and þjóðvegr (q.v.), all meaning ‘highway’, referred to public roads (as opposed to farm roads and private roads). Highways had to meet certain standards with respect to breadth. A passage in Grg (Lbþ 181) states that if a fence crossed a þjóðbraut there should be a gateway in it with a breadth of 4 1/2 ells. The þjóðgata was required to have a breadth roughly equal to the length of a spear (specified in detail in GuL ch. 90). The þjóðvegir had to be at least 8 ells broad.

It is not always clear who were responsible for the supervision of these roads, but FrL held the bishops responsible, since it was vital to the interests of the church that the roads were in good condition. The duties of building and maintenance were imposed on the peasants.

highway OIce Grg Lbþ 181
OIce Jó Llb 21, 32 Refs:

Hertzberg s.v.v. þjóðbraut, þjóðgata, þjóðvegr; KLNM s.v.v. ferjemann, kongevej, veg