Reservation Road Signs

Reservation Road Signs
(2 page, PDF, 969 K)

Guide and Service Sign Programs - information on the design and placement of signs on state highways at and within the boundaries of reservations located throughout Minnesota.

Administered by Mn/DOT district traffic offices.
Some of the signing programs are based on Federal guidelines.
Many of these signs allow the display of text and graphics, as appropriate, that may be unique to each reservation.
References to State Statutes that specify additional signing program specifics are included.
The casino signing program is the result of consulting with the tribes on Mn/DOT's Casino Signing Policy guidelines.

Questions on the signing programs should be directed to the Mn/DOT district traffic engineer.

This does not cover standard signs such as speed limit (regulatory) and chevron (warning) signs. For the safety of the road user, the usage and placement of standard signs needs to be in accordance with the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MN MUTCD) and Mn/DOT's Traffic Engineering Manual (TEM).

Signing Contact

Signing questions and comments

Signing Site Navigation

Signing Plan Sheets

Traffic Engineering Sites

Minor Traffic Generator Signing

Minor Traffic Generator signing example

Sign size: variable based on Mn/DOT sign design standards
Numerous categories of businesses and facilities
May be installed at intersections on trunk highways and interchanges on rural bypasses outside of Metro area (8 counties)
Fabricated, installed and maintained by Mn/DOT
Paid for by requesting business or facility
Ref. Mn/DOT Traffic Engineering Manual, Section 6-7.09

Logo Signing

Logo signing example

Business panel size: 5 feet x 3 feet (mainline), 1.5 feet x 1 foot (ramp)
Gas, food, lodging, camping businesses are eligible
May be installed on rural interstate highways and selected urban freeways
Paid for by business
Logo sign fabricated, installed and maintained by Minnesota Logos (Dave DeSutter 952-895-8079 or 1-800-769-3197)
Business panels fabricated by private vendor at expense of business; business panel installation on logo sign at expense of business
Ref. Minnesota Statute 160.80

Specific Service Signs

Specific Service signs example

Sign size: 6 feet x 1.5 feet
Eligible businesses: resorts, recreational camping areas, motels, restaurants, rural agricultural, places of worship, tourist-oriented and gasoline service station or retail motor fuel business
May be installed at rural intersections on trunk highways
Sign fabricated, installed and maintained by Mn/DOT, paid for by business
Optional business panel (up to 4 feet long x 1 foot high) fabricated and paid for by business; Mn/DOT install business panel at Mn/DOT's expense
Ref. Minnesota Statute 160.292 and Mn/DOT Traffic Engineering Manual, Section 6-7.09

Community Destination Signs

Community Destination signs example

Sign size - top panel with community name (logo optional) variable depending upon legend; destination panel (max. of 3) up to 6 feet long x 2 feet high
May be installed on two lane two way trunk highways or expressways (at grade intersections)
Only destinations/attractions in Mn/DOT's Minor Traffic Generator Signing Program are eligible for signing
Sign panel designs to be approved by Mn/DOT prior to fabrication
Community fabricates, installs and maintains under Mn/DOT permit process
Paid for by community
Ref. Mn/DOT Traffic Engineering Manual, Section 6-8.03

Adopt-A-Highway Signs

Adopt-A-Highway signs example

Sign size: 5 feet x 3 feet
Mn/DOT statewide anti-litter effort
Sign identifies adopted highway section and volunteer group name
May be installed on most trunk highways
Fabricated, installed and maintained by Mn/DOT at Mn/DOT's expense Ref. Mn/DOT Traffic Engineering Manual, Section 6-8.01

Memorial Highway Signs

Memorial Highway signs example

Sign size: 2 feet x 2 feet
May be installed if authorized by state law
May be installed on non-freeway trunk highways
May be installed in freeway rest areas
Mn/DOT fabricates, installs and maintains
Paid for by requesting organization or community (MS 161.319)
Ref. MN MUTCD, Sections 2D.49 & 2E.8

Reservation signing examples

Community Identification Signs

Grand Portage Community Identification sign example

Sign size: 750 square feet maximum
Sign to be installed outside trunk highway right of way
No advertising allowed on sign
Must be located within two miles of community
Must obtain approval of governing body of community
Community must consult with road authority on sign placement and location
Community must obtain consent of land owner on which sign is to be erected
Community fabricates, installs and maintains
Paid for by community
Ref. Minnesota Statute 173.08, subd. 1(10)

Reservation Boundary Signs

Grand Portage Reservation Boundary sign example

Sign size: variable based on sign message and font sizes
May be installed at boundaries crossing trunk highways (except freeways)
with a limit of two signs per trunk highway
May include logo and year of treaty or population on sign panel
No advertising for commercial product or service allowed on sign
Sign panel design to be approved by Mn/DOT
Mn/DOT to fabricate, install and maintain (unless otherwise directed by
District Traffic Office)
Paid for by community
Ref. Mn/DOT Traffic Engineering Manual, Section 6-7.07

Community Recognition Signs (panels)

Community Recognition sign example

Sign size: typical 2' x 2', maximum 12 square feet (6 feet long x 2 feet high)
May be installed on reservation boundary sign structures
May be installed on city population sign structures with city consent
May be installed only on two lane two way trunk highways in Metro area
May be installed on trunk highways, excluding interstate highways, in
Greater Minnesota (79 counties)
Community fabricates, installs and maintains under Mn/DOT permit process
Paid for by community
Ref. Mn/DOT Traffic Engineering Manual, Section 6-7.07

Casino Signing

Casino signing example

Sign size variable based on Mn/DOT sign design standards
May be installed on trunk highways
Fabricated, installed and maintained by Mn/DOT or under contract
Paid for by casino
Ref. Mn/DOT Traffic Engineering Manual, Section 6-7.09

Educational Institution Signing (Post-Secondary Schools)

Educational Institution signing example

Sign size: variable based on Mn/DOT sign design standards
May be installed on trunk highways
Fabricated, installed and maintained by Mn/DOT or under contract
Paid for by educational institution
Ref. Mn/DOT Traffic Engineering Manual, Section 6-7.09