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Illegal Signage to be Removed from Area Highways

Illegal Signage to be Removed from Area Highways
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By West Kentucky Star Staff
Sep. 23, 2014 | PADUCAH, KY
By West Kentucky Star Staff Sep. 23, 2014 | 04:11 PM | PADUCAH, KY
Kentucky Department of Transportation workers have begun removing illegally places signs along state highways.

According to KYTC Spokesman Keith Todd, Placing advertising signs on a Kentucky state highway right of way is against the law. Todd said illegally placed signs interfere with highway maintenance operations, and can create a safety hazards for drivers. Despite this legal prohibition, an increasing number of improperly placed signs has been reported in recent weeks. Todd said many of these are political signs promoting candidates who will be on the ballot in November.

Signs that interfere with mowing or maintenance activity will be targeted, along with signs that block the view of drivers or pose other safety hazards. This includes signs attached to utility poles.

“We still have another cycle of mowing along our highways to complete this year,” said KYTC 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.”

Todd said 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.”

All removed signs 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.
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