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Minnesota Department of Transportation <br /> NEWS RELEASE <br /> District 3 <br /> 3725 12th St. N. <br /> St. Cloud, MN 56303-2107 <br /> April 24, 2014 Contact: J.P. Gillach <br /> 218-828-5706 <br /> For Immediate Release iames.gillach(ustate.mn.us <br /> Unauthorized signs and objects not allowed on state highway rights <br /> of way <br /> ST CLOUD, Minn. -- The Minnesota Department of Transportation reminds citizens that <br /> placing unauthorized signs and other objects on state highway rights of way is illegal and can <br /> be dangerous. <br /> "As the weather warms, we usually see a significant increase in advertising signs and items <br /> for sale placed illegally along state roadways," said Mark Renn, MnDOT's roadway <br /> regulations supervisor in St. Cloud. <br /> Placing signs or objects in highway rights of way is a misdemeanor violation with a maximum <br /> $1,000 fine and/or 90 days in jail. Highway rights of way include driving lanes, shoulders, <br /> ditches, clear zones and sight corners at intersections. <br /> State law also says that items may not be placed on private property outside of the right of <br /> way limits but in proximity to a roadway without consent of the landowner. <br /> "Illegally placed signs and objects can distract and restrict the visibility of drivers in many <br /> situations, especially at intersections," said Rich Munch, MnDOT's roadway regulations <br /> supervisor in the Baxter. "They are also a hazard to legal users of the right of way, including <br /> people using ATVs and crews working on utilities." <br /> MnDOT crews will remove all signs within the right of way without notice. <br /> Larger objects often placed illegally in the right of way include automobiles, boats and <br /> motors, campers, travel trailers, produce stands and large hay bales. These objects are <br /> extremely hazardous if a vehicle runs off the road and strikes it. <br /> For information regarding roadway regulations, right of way boundaries, or where to find <br /> removed materials, please contact the MnDOT office in St. Cloud at 320-223-6522, toll free <br /> 1-800-657-3961; or the Baxter headquarters at 218-828-5777 or toll free at 1-800-657-3971. <br />