Thursday, March 16, 2023

MDOT: Campaign Signs on Rights of Way Illegal

The Mississippi Department of Transportation issued the following statement. 

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. 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.

To maintain traffic safety, 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.

Kingfish note: The same rule applies to Jackson.  You can report cluttered right of ways to the city. City workers will remove them. 

 

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why are candidates not required to clean up their signs after an election?

Jackson in particular

Anonymous said...

Good luck - as I recall High Street in Jackson had special rules that did not allow signs. The Farmers Market, Fairgrounds and politicians break that rule on a daily basis. Regardless, Jackson also has rules so if I'm wrong, Jackson should be cleaning it up. High Street looks like S__T during election season. Don't get me started about State Street, especially near UMMC, which I believe is also MDOT's responsibility.

Anonymous said...

Some sign frames are great for holding targets at the range.

Anonymous said...

These rules, regulations and laws do not apply to Kennuff Stokes as he has them on utility poles, railroad crossing gates, and hanging from every traffic light.

Anonymous said...

I am a Serial Vigilante Remover of political signs from R.O.W.s in NorthEast Jackson, I have grabbed up and thrown a dozen at a time in a convenient commercial dumpster (for safe keeping in case sign polluter wants to dig out and recover).

On most Residential streets, ROW is about 9 feet from back of curb. (50' overall ROW less 32' street) / (2) = 9' each side. Any sign inside the ROW is trash and your civic duty to remove.

Anonymous said...

@12:02 pm

You have our (property owner's) permission to remove ANY signs on the SE corner of Ridgewood/Atkins. Just because it's a vacant lot doesn't mean it's okay to pollute our property with your crap.

Anonymous said...

12:02, Respect my friend.

Respect.

Anonymous said...

There's a Guest campaign sign on the Highway 51 right-of-way that has been there for months and months, but he is just special.

Unknown said...

@12:02: Incorrect

Anonymous said...

Why is MDOT more concerned with signs in the right of way than cutting grass in the right of way?

Anonymous said...

Someone please tell those childish anime losers to clean their damn signs up that they placed all over town.

Anonymous said...

Signs should be the least of MDOTs worries. Do they even drive on the roads in Mississippi?

Anonymous said...


Just watch & see who's Signs get to stay on MDOT ROW-, some do some don't.

Anonymous said...

MDOT could use the signs to fill potholes.

Anonymous said...

It’s okay for MDOT to remove them but not me, John Q. Public?

Anonymous said...

@5:28
MDOT is not responsible for the roads in Mississippi.
MDOT is responsible for the highways and bridges.

Anonymous said...

So the penalty for breaking the law is they take your signs down and give them back to you.

Anonymous said...

campaign signs are nothing but glorified litter....same goes for those stinking ballon releases

Anonymous said...

Sadly, regardless of your race or gender, signs influence voters. The yellow dog partisan will note party.
This is how we end up with George Santos in Congress.
Signs give some voters, "name recognition" help.
I'd like every candidate to be fined $30 per sign for every sign left on private property without permission and $20 for every sign not removed within 72 hours of election results confirmation.

Anonymous said...

Most of us know of the GUEST sign you mentioned, however it really does appear to be way back off the road and most likely behind the ROW for 51. Guess he must have permission or $$ the prop owner for placement there. Hard to compare his few to the quantity & blight of the newbies.

Anonymous said...

MDOT only has jurisdiction on state and federal highway rights of way and any projects they be engaged in or maintaining on areas leading to those rights of way.

90% of this yaeh yaeh bullshit has nothing to do with the jurisdiction of MDOT.

You might as well be bitching about all the campaign ads that appear over on the right margin of this page that stay up for years.

Just be sure you know that your third grader is half way to college.

Anonymous said...

Signs are one thing, but parking new cars on ROW in front of I-55 dealerships, by the hundreds, must be a 'friends with benefits' for wealthy auto dealers...


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