More questions
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Traffic signing design or operation on Mn/DOT projects
Contact Mike Weiss
email web.otso@dot.state.mn.us
call 651-234-7003
Who can help you get the proper sign?
- How do I go about getting a sign for my business on the large blue signs, like McDonalds.
- How do I obtain signing for a shopping center?
- How do I go about getting signing to my golf course?
- How do I get a sign for my antique shop, barber shop, beauty shop?
- Why can't I have signing in the Metro area for my business?
Non business signs
Signs for business
- How do I go about getting a STOP sign installed at an intersection?
- How do I obtain a STOP, YIELD, SLOW CHILDREN AT PLAY, etc. sign to use as a graphic display for a workshop/training class?
- How do I go about having a bridge or highway section dedicated to a group (i.e. Vietnam Veterans Bridge or Highway)?
- I would like to have a deer crossing sign installed. How do I go about getting this accomplished?
- I would like to have a "deaf child/blind child/slow children at play" sign installed on my street/highway near my home. How do I get this accomplished?
Signing costs
- How much is the cost for the Logo Signing program?
- Does Mn/DOT sells used signs and, if so, how do I go about getting one?
- How much would I have to pay for a sign for my antique business?
Signing specifications
- What manuals, standards, sample plans, specifications are available for review and guidance for roadway signing?
- Why are some cities included on the large green guide signs at interstate highway intersections?
- What is the legal height for vehicles on highways and when does Mn/DOT install clearance signs?
- What is the purpose of the numbers on signs every mile along state highways?
- How are EXIT Numbers determined?
- What is the proper mounting height for Disabled Parking signs?
- Does Mn/DOT use plywood or plastic for its signs?
- What type of sheeting materials does Mn/DOT use for its signs?
- What does the 6% mean on a hill sign?
Answers
Question: How do I go about getting a sign for my business on the large blue signs, like McDonalds?
Answer: If you are referring to the large blue signs on interstate highways, this is the LOGO signing program, which permits signing to eligible gas, food, lodging and camping businesses. For more information about the Logo Sign Program.
Question: How do I obtain signing for a shopping center?
Answer: Only major shopping centers exceeding 600,000 square feet (under one roof) qualify for signing. In the Metro area, there are hundreds of smaller shopping districts/centers and strip malls so Mn/DOT has to restrict signing to only the largest facilities. For additional criteria, contact Mike Weiss at 651-234-7382
Question: How do I go about getting signing to my golf course?
Answer: Golf courses are not permitted signing in the Metro urban area due to the hundreds of courses. Outside the Metro area, golf courses may obtain signing if they are open to the public - refer to the State Traffic Engineer's Directory and contact the appropriate district traffic office to initiate this process.
Question: How do I get a sign for my antique shop, barber shop, beauty shop?
Answer: Mn/DOT has written guidelines regarding which types of businesses qualify for signing on state highways. In the Metro area, there are more restrictions due to the higher concentration of businesses. For specifics on Mn/DOT's signing programs and business qualifications, - refer to the State Traffic Engineer's Directory and contact the appropriate district traffic office to initiate this process.
Question: Why can't I have signing in the Metro area for my business?
Answer: Due to the hundreds of businesses that exist (and many request signing) in a typical year in the 8 county Metro area, Mn/DOT has to restrict signing to certain types of businesses since all businesses cannot be granted signing.
Question: How do I go about getting a STOP sign installed at an intersection?
Answer: If the local road intersects a state highway, a field evaluation and engineering study needs to be conducted by Mn/DOT - refer to the State Traffic Engineer's Directory and contact the appropriate district traffic office to initiate this process. If a local road intersects with another local road, contact the local road authority.
Question: How do I obtain a STOP, YIELD, SLOW CHILDREN AT PLAY, etc. sign to use as a graphic display for a workshop/training class?
Answer: Mn/DOT does not fabricate signs to sell to the public.
To find out sign costs and have a sign fabricated contact:
- Earl F. Andersen at 952-884-7300
- Lyle Signs at 952-934-7653
- M&R Sign at 218-736-5681
- Gopher Sign at 651-698-5095
Question: How do I go about having a bridge or highway section dedicated to a group (i.e. Vietnam Veterans Bridge or Highway)?
Answer: In order to memorialize a bridge on a state highway or a segment of state highway, a state law must be enacted. On freeways, Mn/DOT only installs such signing in rest areas. If the bridge or highway section is not on a state highway, contact the road authority.
Question: I would like to have a deer crossing sign installed. How do I go about getting this accomplished?
Answer: Mn/DOT works with the DNR to identify where such signs are justified. Refer to the State Traffic Engineer's Directory and contact the appropriate district traffic office to initiate this process.
Question: I would like to have a "deaf child/blind child/slow children at play" sign installed on my street/highway near my home. How do I get this accomplished?
Answer: Mn/DOT does not install this type of sign on state highways since it is not enforceable (it is a warning sign) and it can lead to a false sense of security. If you are requesting signing on a city street, contact the city offices.
Question: What is the cost for the Logo Signing program?
Answer: $45/month on a mainline freeway sign, $10/month on a ramp sign. This cost does not include the cost to have the business logos made that are installed on the blue signs. For more information about the Logo Sign Program, click here.
Question: Does Mn/DOT sells used signs and, if so, how do I go about getting one?
Answer: No, by law, Mn/DOT is not allowed to sell new signs or old signs that are removed from service.
Question: How much would I have to pay for a sign for my antique business?
Answer: Currently, the cost is $340/sign. This includes the cost to have the sign fabricated and installed by Mn/DOT forces.
Question: What manuals, standards, sample plans, specifications are available for review and guidance for roadway signing?
Answer: Check the Signing - Manuals, Handbooks and Guidelines website and/or the Traffic Engineering - Publications for a listing of available online documents.
Question: Why are some cities included on the large green guide signs at interstate highway intersections?
Answer: There is a national publication, which is produced from input from all states, that lists what are referred to as "control cities" or major cities along that route.
Question: What is the legal height for vehicles on highways and when does Mn/DOT install clearance signs?
Answer: The legal height for vehicles is 13 feet, 6 inches. The low clearance sign is used to warn road users of clearances less than 12 inches above this legal height. Clearance below bridges on freeways is typically 16 feet, 4 inches and overhead mounted signs is 17 feet, 4 inches.
Question: What is the purpose of the numbers on signs every mile along state highways?
Answer: These are called reference post markers. They are installed every mile on all state highways. The beginning reference point is "0" at the west border of the state for east/west highways and "0" at the south border of the state for north/south highways.
Question: How are EXIT Numbers determined?
Answer: Exit numbering is only used on freeway design roadways. Exit numbering is based on the reference post markers as mentioned in the previous question (i.e.; an exit located between reference marker 48 and 49 would be numbered Exit Number 48). If multiple exits are located within the same mile, the exit is numbered with a letter following, such as 48A and 48B. The lettering follows alphabetically from west to east and south to north. For more information, on the rules regarding the numbering system or the exit number for a specific interchange, contact Mike Weiss at 651-234-7382 or Rick Sunstrom at 651-234-7381.
Question: What is the proper mounting height for Disabled Parking signs?
Answer: If installed for a parallel parking spot on an urban street, the bottom of the sign needs to be 7 feet above the sidewalk. If installed in a parking lot, the sign must be visible to the driver when the vehicle is parked in the disabled parking space.
Question: Does Mn/DOT use plywood or plastic for its signs?
Answer: No, Mn/DOT only uses aluminum as the base material for signs. Sheet aluminum is used for smaller signs; larger signs and overhead mounted signs are made with extruded aluminum panels.
Question: What type of sheeting materials does Mn/DOT use for its signs?
Answer: Mn/DOT uses 3M sheeting materials for all signs. Currently, the type of sheeting material used by Mn/DOT is microprismatic sheeting. For other specifics on Mn/DOT sign sheeting materials, contact Mike Weiss at 651-234-7382.
Question: What does the 6% mean on a hill sign?
Answer: 6% refers to the amount of slope of the highway from the top to the bottom of the hill - 6 percent means that for every 100 feet horizontally, the highway drops 6 feet.