99-420 C.M.R. ch. 3
99-420 MAINE TURNPIKE AUTHORITY
SUMMARY: This chapter governs requests for changes to supplemental guide signs on the Maine Turnpike.
1. Background
P.L. 2014 c. 549, ‘An Act to Allow Signs for Areas of Local, Regional and Statewide Interest on the Interstate System’ was modeled on AASHTO guidance on the most appropriate generators for display on interstate highway supplemental guide signs. Section two of that act, codified at 23 M.R.S.A. §1912-C, sets out standards for supplemental guide signs on the Maine Turnpike.
2. Requests for Modification of Supplemental Guide Signage – Appeals
Requests for additional interchange guide signs or modifications to existing interchange guide signs, as defined in 23 M.R.S.A. §1912-C., must be submitted in writing to the Authority’s engineering department. Any such request shall include documentation demonstrating that the proposed changes would be in compliance with 23 M.R.S.A. §1912-C. The Authority may notify other persons whom it deems has a substantial interest that might be negatively affected by granting of the request and shall give any other such person an opportunity to submit a written position on the request. The Authority’s executive director shall issue a written decision on the request within a reasonable time of receipt. The person submitting the request or any other person substantially affected may appeal the executive director’s decision to the Authority’s board by submitting a written request for appeal to the executive director within 30 days of the date of the decision. The board shall make a decision on the appeal at one of its regularly scheduled board meetings within 90 days of receipt of the appeal. The board’s hearing on the appeal shall be informal and the rules of evidence shall not apply. Any interested person may submit documentation that they wish the board to consider, but must do so at least 30 days before the hearing. Any interested person shall have the opportunity to be heard at the hearing. The board may rule immediately on the appeal or may take the appeal under advisement and issue a decision at a later date. The board’s decision on the appeal shall be final.
3. Timing of Signage Installation shall be Consistent with Authority Operations
The MUTCD states that “sign installations are an integral part of the facility, and as such are best planned concurrently with the development of the highway locations and geometric design. Interstate signing is to be considered and developed as a planned system of installations. An engineering study is sometimes necessary for proper solution of the problems in many individual locations but in additional consideration of an entire route is necessary.”
Modification or installation of supplemental guide signs requires review of the surrounding area. Moving or eliminating other signs may be required to achieve a proper overall signing design in accordance with national standards. Signage is typically adjusted every 15-20 years as the life of most of the signs is reached and replacements are planned. In addition, as new facilities are built or new interchanges are built or under major rehabilitation considerations for adjustments in signs will be made. Therefore, requests for changes to signage under this chapter which are granted may not be actually put into effect by the Authority until a later date consistent with the Authority’s long term planning and operations.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 23 MRSA §§ 1965(1)(C), 1965(1)(U), 1973(2)
EFFECTIVE DATE:
August 11, 2014 – filing 2014-162