District 10 to Trim Sign Bloom

Officials with the Kentucky Department of Transportation announced on March 5 that they would begin trimming the political sign bloom that has been sprouting along highways in the counties the district serves.

“The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet reminds political candidates and others that it is illegal to place campaign, yard sale, business, and other non-official signs on state highway rights of way,” a press release from the District 10 Office announced.

An official said that “illegal encroachments interfere with sight distance for motorists, are obstacles to mowing and other maintenance operations, and can pose a danger to work crews and drivers.”

The agency reported receiving several complaints about such illegal signs, especially during local political races. 

KYTC personnel began removing signs from highways in early March as mowing cycles and other roadwork gets underway with improving weather.

Kentucky law and KYTC policy prohibit the placement of these unauthorized signs on state right-of-way. The prohibition also applies to signs attached to utility poles within the right-of-way. It is also illegal to attach signs or stickers to stop signs, other road signs, right-of-way fences, and guardrails.

Larger signs removed will be taken to the state highway garage in the applicable county and kept for two weeks. Smaller signs, such as those mounted on metal frames, will be discarded.

“Illegally-placed signs are a distraction and can be a safety issue for motorists and maintenance personnel alike,” 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 obstruct the vision of drivers and interfere with our mowing and maintenance operations,” Caudill said.

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.