State ready to remove campaign signs on state right of way

FRANKFORT — The state Department of Highways is warning this year’s crop of political candidates not to put their campaign signs on state right of way.

Acting state highway engineer Steve Waddle said Wednesday that state highway workers will remove and discard the signs for safety reasons.

“Signs on the right of way often restrict sight distance near intersections and create a hazard in the ‘clear zone,’ which is the recovery area for motorists who run off the road,” Waddle said in a statement. “They also interfere with maintenance activities such as roadside mowing, which will be starting soon.”

State law prohibits the placement of political or other advertising signs on state right of way, including signs attached to utility poles within the state right of way.

Illegal signs will be moved to the state highway garage in each county and kept for two weeks. Owners may claim them by showing identification and completing a claim form. Unclaimed signs will be discarded.

–Jack Brammer

Filed Under: Elections • State Government