Now that mowing season is underway along state highways, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is reminding political candidates and businesses to avoid placing signs on state highway right of way. Spokesman Keith Todd says crews will be removing litter on some highways as well.
Officials are asking Kentuckians to do their part by keeping the right of way clear of temporary signs and other obstacles that can obstruct the path of mowers and pose a hazard for mowing crews, as well as motorists.
With the primary election in Kentucky right around the corner on Tuesday, May 17, Todd says highway personnel are beginning to notice political signs illegally placed on state highway right of way. He indicates business signs placed on state right of way areas also pose an ongoing problem. Kentucky law prohibits placement of these unauthorized signs on state right of way and requires that they be removed by highway personnel. Todd states the prohibition also applies to signs attached to utility poles and on the roadway side of boundary fences.
According to Todd, campaign signs and other signs placed on state right of way that restrict sight-distance or otherwise interfere with mowing operations will be removed. He says larger signs will be taken to the state highway garage in the applicable county and kept for ten working days. Smaller signs, such as those held in the ground with metal frames, will be discarded.
Todd indicates mowing zones will be marked by appropriate signage and motorists should slow down and use caution, and be mindful in these zones of personnel in close proximity to traffic flow.