Personnel from the Kentucky Department of Highways District 1 are removing signs illegally placed on state right-of-way. Signs that interfere with mowing or maintenance activity will be targeted, along with signs that impede sight distance for drivers or pose other safety hazards. District 1 includes the 12 westernmost counties of Kentucky.
“We still have another cycle of mowing along our highways to complete this year,” said Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 1 Chief Engineer Mike McGregor. “Signs placed along the right-of-way can prevent our employees and contractors from doing their jobs, and wire that supports many of the signs can become a safety hazard if they are run over by mowers. The biggest safety hazard is when they keep drivers from seeing oncoming traffic at intersections.”
Various Kentucky state laws, administrative regulations and Transportation Cabinet policies prohibit the placement of political or other advertising signs on state right-of-way. This includes signs attached to utility poles within the state right-of-way.
Enforcement of the sign prohibition can be difficult because right-of-way boundaries can vary by highway and location. All signage should be behind sidewalks. In areas without sidewalks, all signs should be behind the ditch line and outside areas commonly mowed or maintained by highway crews.
On four-lane highways with controlled access or limited access, no signs should be placed on the highway side of the fence line or the fence.
“When our employees take down illegal signs, they are simply doing their jobs as required by law," McGregor said. "We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of the public.”
Any signs removed will be kept for five working days at the state highway garage in the county where they were picked up. Candidates, campaign, or business representatives may reclaim their signs during that period by providing identification and filling out a claim form. After one week, the signs will be discarded.
