Whenever any tract of land is surveyed or sold in tracts less than the original subdivision as established by the government survey thereof, so that any part thereof does not touch upon a public road so as to allow the owner of such tract access to a public highway, the board of county commissioners or board of township supervisors, upon petition of such owner, may open a public road to gain access to any such tract or tracts when in the judgment of such board such public road is necessary and that it is of sufficient benefit to the county or township as a whole, but no such public road may exceed two rods [10.06 meters] in width unless in the judgment of such board a roadway of such width is not sufficient to accommodate the travel thereon.