DOT&PF will remove campaign signs placed in highway rights-of-way

Campaign signs placed within Alaska state highway rights-of-way are coming down. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities issued a formal warning Thursday that such signs violate state and federal law, and the agency will continue to remove them. The action is ongoing enforcement of existing rules, not a newly announced ban.

DOT&PF said the signs obstruct motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians, impair driver visibility, distract drivers, block maintenance crews, and create crash hazards. Signs near intersections and driveways will be pulled first.

Candidates whose signs are removed can recover them by calling one of three regional right-of-way offices: Central Region in Anchorage at 907-269-0700, Northern Region in Fairbanks at 907-451-5400, or Southcoast Region in Juneau at 907-465-4499. Questions can also be directed to Andy Mills at (907) 465-3900 or [email protected].

The prohibition is grounded in state and federal law. DOT&PF cited Alaska statutes AS 19.25.075 through AS 19.25.015 and Alaska Administrative Code regulation 17 AAC 20.012 as the legal basis for enforcement.

What Is Still Allowed

The prohibition does not cover all signs. Temporary signs on private property are exempt if they are smaller than 32 square feet, placed with the property owner's authorization, and involve no compensation. A standard 4-by-8-foot sign would qualify. Candidates can find detailed information on legal sign placements and view boundary maps showing right-of-way lines at http://dot.alaska.gov/stwddes/dcsrow/campaignsigns.shtml.