With the first cycle of mowing along state highways underway for 2022, Transportation Cabinet and contractor mowing crews are encountering a number of signs illegally placed on state right of way. Personnel are removing these illegal encroachments from state property, as they are obstacles to mowing and other maintenance operations and can pose a danger to work crews and drivers.
KYTC officials ask Kentuckians to do their part by keeping the state right of way clear of these temporary signs and other obstacles that can obstruct the path of mowers and pose a hazard for mowing crews and motorists.
The primary election in Kentucky is scheduled for Tuesday, May 17. KYTC personnel have noticed political signs illegally placed on state right of way. In addition, many signs advertising businesses, events, and services are also being seen. Kentucky law and KYTC policy both prohibit placement of these unauthorized signs on state right of way. The prohibition also applies to signs attached to utility poles on the right of way. It is also illegal to attach signs or stickers to stop signs, other road signs, right of way fences, and guardrail.
Campaign signs and other signs placed on state right of way that restrict sight distance or interfere with mowing operations will be removed. Larger signs will be taken to the state highway garage in the applicable county and kept for two weeks. Smaller signs, such as those held in the ground with metal frames, will be discarded.
“Signs placed in our mowing zones prevent our employees and contractors from doing their jobs, and the signs can become safety hazards if they are run over by the mowers,” said Corbett Caudill, chief district engineer for the Department of Highways District 10. “We ask political candidates, their supporters, and those promoting businesses or events not to place signs along the roadside where they can interfere with our mowing and maintenance operations.”
Mowing zones will be marked by appropriate signage. Drivers are urged to slow down and watch for slow-moving tractors and support vehicles in areas where mowing or litter removal are ongoing.
District 10 of the KYTC Department of Highways encompasses Breathitt, Estill, Lee, Magoffin, Menifee, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Powell, and Wolfe counties in east-central and southeastern Kentucky.