Laserfiche WebLink
Election Sign Policy <br />Page 3 of 3 <br /> <br />News Release <br />May 10, 2004 <br /> <br />Mn/DOT warns of hazards created by signs, objects placed in highway fights of way <br /> <br />ST. PAUL, Minn. -- It's the season for garage sales, open houses and farm auctions, but the Minnesota <br />Department of Transportation warns that placing signs promoting these and other events placed in <br />highway rights of way is illegal and creates, potential hazzffds. <br /> <br />"With the warm weather months now beginning, there is a sig-nificant increase of advertising signs and <br />items for sale placed along the state's roadways to attract the attention o~passing motorists_," said Mark <br />Wikelius, state maintenance engineer. "Illegally placed sig-ns and objects within rights of way can restrict <br />motorists' visibility, especially at intersections, and divert their attention from driving." <br /> <br />Highway rights-of-way include driving lanes, shoulders, ditches, clear zones and sight corners at <br />intersections. <br /> <br />Placing signs or objects in the rights-of-way is a misdemeanor that carries a maximum $700 fine and/or <br />90 days in jail. State law also specifies that signs and other items cannot be placed on private property <br />outside the right-o f-way limits but in close proximity to a roadway without consent from the landowner. <br /> <br />Mn/DOT maintenance staff will remove si=o-ns located within rights-of-way without notice. <br /> <br />If there are large objects which cannot be easily removed, Mn/DOT may issue a violation notice requiring <br />the object's removal. Items commonly found in rigl-tts-of-way include cars and other vehicles, boats and <br />motors, campers and travel trailers, produce stands and large bales of hay. <br /> <br />These objects can create a hazard if struck by a passing vehicle. They can also collect debris, block proper <br />drainage and restrict maintenance work such as mowing and spraying. <br /> <br />For information about roadway regulations, right-of-way boundaries or where to find removed sig-ns, <br />contac t yo ur Mn/D OT district office (ww~v. dot. state, mn. us/in£ormation/districts.html), or Craig Wilkins <br />in St. Paul, 651/296-0838 or by e-mail: craig.wilkins~dot.state.mn.us. <br /> <br /> <br />