Sign removal sweeps planned over the next week
PADUCAH, Ky. (April 29, 2022) — Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) crews in District 1 are preparing to make another sweep to remove illegal signs placed on state highway right of way around the region.
Highway personnel will be picking up illegally placed signs during the next week to prepare for the start of mowing season.
Political candidates, residents, business operators and property owners along U.S. highways and Kentucky state routes are reminded no signs are allowed on right of way other than official highway signs and items approved by permit.
Political campaign signs and other illegal signs can create hazards by blocking sight distance or distracting drivers, particularly at intersections. Illegal signage placed along roadways is a hazard for mowing crews and can slow mowing operations. Removal of the signs takes up time that highway crews could be utilizing for other highway maintenance activities.
With May primary races and the traditional yard sale season ramping up, the public should place all such signage outside the right of way. It also is illegal to attach signs to official highway signs, highway markers or utility poles.
Here are some tips to avoid having your signs removed:
- In rural areas signs should generally not be placed between utility poles and the edge of the roadway or between the roadway and fence rows
- In urban areas signs should be behind the sidewalk
- Signs should not be placed on areas that would normally be mowed by state or contract mowing crews
- Along 4-lane limited access highways no signs should be placed between the right of way fence and the edge of the roadway
- Signs should not be attached to the roadway side of fences
- No signs should be posted in roadway medians
The fence line along nearby fields provides an indication to the location of property lines. In the case of most 4-Lane highways, the right-of-way extends to the fence line and includes the roadway side of fences.
Highway crews are not responsible for damage to illegally placed signs during removal. All removed items will be held at the local KYTC highway maintenance facility for a short time. Owners may pick up signs during regular business hours for 10 working days. After that, confiscated signs will be destroyed or recycled.
KYTC District 1 is responsible for 2,835 miles of highway in Trigg, Lyon, Crittenden, Livingston, Marshall, Calloway, Graves, McCracken, Ballard, Carlisle, Hickman, and Fulton counties.