Campaign signs illegal on MDOT right of way

Candidates who have encountered missing campaign signs should check with MDOT before they report to local law enforcement, authorities say.

Sheriff Eric Clark said the Mississippi Department of Transportation recently cleaned campaign signs from the right of way and have them stored at the headquarters building on Highway 15 North. He said the signs are kept in a trailer and they allow candidates to access them for retrieval.

Clark said the department of transportation clears the signs periodically.

“I tell candidates to check the MDOT trailer first,” Clark said. “Most times the sign was on or near the right of way and removed due to MDOT policy.”

MDOT officials addressed the issue in a March 16 announcement.

“The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) reminds political candidates that campaign signs are not permitted within right-of-way on state highways according to Section 63-3-317 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated,” an MDOT announcement reads. “The width of highway right-of-way varies by location and includes the driving lanes, shoulders and mowed areas; the right-of-way can potentially reach distances of 300 feet or more from the centerline of driving lanes.”

Both Clark and Philadelphia Police Chief Eric Lyons said neither of their agencies has seen reports of stolen signs.

To maintain traffic safety, MDOT asks candidates to please observe the following:

·Illegally placed campaign signs contribute to our state's $3.2 million litter problem that spoils Mississippi's natural beauty.

·Any illegally placed signs will be removed. 

·Keeping the right-of-way clear prevents safety hazards and interference with the traveling public along roadways.

·Signs with steel or wooden posts pose potential hazards that may cause harm to roadside workers, may damage roadside equipment and may become projectiles if hit by mowers.

·Signs are not permitted within areas necessary for clear vision at intersections; signs must not interfere with the sight distance of a driver. 

·No signs are allowed in limited access right-of-way.

·Typically, the right-of-way is larger near roadway intersections.

·Signs removed by MDOT crews will be kept for two weeks at a local MDOT maintenance facility before being discarded.

·Candidates may retrieve signs from MDOT without penalty.

For information about right-of-way distances in specific areas along a state-maintained highway, call your local MDOT maintenance facility. For more information, call 601-359-7074 or visit GoMDOT.com.