What is the primary purpose of a right-of-way?

The primary purpose of a right-of-way is to grant individuals or entities the legal ability to travel over or through someone else's property. This right is essential for various reasons, such as facilitating access to landlocked parcels, allowing utilities to run lines through properties, or enabling public pathways for roads, trains, or pedestrians.

Using a right-of-way, a person or entity does not gain ownership of the property but is allowed to use a specified portion of it for specific purposes, which could include transportation or the placement of infrastructure.

The other options misinterpret the concept of a right-of-way. For example, obtaining ownership of someone else's property does not align with the nature of a right-of-way, as it represents a temporary use rather than ownership transfer. Similarly, while it may seem that access is given without compensation, a right-of-way typically includes compensation agreements, especially for public projects or utility rights. Lastly, the notion of restricting access directly contradicts the purpose of a right-of-way, which inherently promotes access rather than limitation. Thus, option C accurately captures the essence of what a right-of-way is designed to accomplish.