PennDOT Reminds Candidates that Campaign Signs Are Prohibited Within State Right-of-Way

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is reminding candidates for political office that no campaign signs can be placed within the PennDOT right-of-way along state roads, interstates, expressways, and other limited access highways. Political signs cannot be attached on light or signal posts, guide rail or other PennDOT traffic control devices.

It is illegal to install, erect or place any sign of any nature, including a temporary sign, within the PennDOT right-of-way. Illegal signs can be removed at any time by PennDOT.

When PennDOT workers must remove campaign signs, it takes them away from working on important highway maintenance and safety projects.

Campaign signs placed along roadways may pose the following risks:

  1. Reduced sight distance at intersections;
  2. Possible harm to animals (wire posts could cut animals, and the plastic signs could be mistakenly eaten by animals);
  3. Plastic signs that blow off their posts could clog drains; and
  4. Wire posts left behind may cause safety hazards to PennDOT employees when they mow roadside vegetation

Signs posted in the right-of-way will be removed and stored at the PennDOT county maintenance office for 30 days prior to disposal.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts.

Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York counties at PennDOT District 8.

Information about infrastructure in District 8, including completed work and significant projects, is available at District 8 Results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at PennDOT Projects.

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