The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) reminds all Hoosiers that campaign signs are prohibited from federal and state highway rights-of-way according to Indiana Code 9-21-4-6. INDOT personnel are required by state law to remove all unauthorized signs within the state right-of-way.
INDOT personnel will remove campaign signs and other illegal signs from rights-of-way—per IC 9-21-4-6—as they are encountered in normal highway maintenance activities. Crews may also remove a specific sign if it presents an immediate safety risk, such as being too close to the roadway or creating a sight obstruction. Campaign signs placed off the right-of-way will not be removed.
The right-of-way areas which must remain “sign-free” include:
· All interstates and their interchanges; and
· All intersections where at least one local, state or federal road intersects with a state or federal highway; and
· All rights-of-way paralleling federal or state highways;
· Where right-of-way is not clearly marked, it may be estimated as the back of the ditch, to the fence line or up to utility poles.
Removed signs will be taken to the nearest INDOT sub district office or unit, where they will be kept until after the election. Campaign signs may be claimed by the owner between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, except for holidays.
The INDOT Fort Wayne District can be contacted by calling 1-866-227-3555 or emailing neinformation@indot.in.gov.
