Signs placed by interstate are illegal

Talk about it

Question: When coming off of I-94 west bound at exit 103, quite often there are small signs for a local taco shop and sometimes a coffee shop by the stop sign. I thought it is illegal to place signs there. I could be wrong but if I am right, who would I call to complain?

Answer: According to Minnesota statute 169.07 (a) [in part] no person shall place or maintain, nor shall any public authority permit, upon any highway any traffic sign or signal bearing thereon any commercial advertising. This shall not be deemed to prohibit (1) the erection upon private property adjacent to highways of signs giving useful directional information and of a type that cannot be mistaken for official signs, or (2) the temporary placement by auctioneers for a period of not more than eight consecutive hours, on or adjacent to the right-of-way of a highway not more than four signs directing motorists to the location of an auction. If the signs are on the highway right-of-way then they are placed illegally and we can have them removed. The person to complain to would be the captain of the State Patrol district in (this case) Detroit Lakes, phone number (218) 847-1550.

Now that I gave out the phone number, I should probably go on vacation for a few years and give him time to cool down. Catcha later!

If you have any questions concerning traffic-related laws in Minnesota, send your questions to Trooper Andy Schmidt, Minnesota State Patrol, 1000 Highway 10 West, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501-2205. Or reach me at andrew.schmidt@state.mn.us.

Tags: state news, state patrol, andy schmidt, news, schmidt, trooper