N.M. Code R. § 18.20.7.9 – Procedures

A. If necessary the Sponsor may request a "Memorial Sign Program" application from the Division, the District Coordinator, or other Department designee. This application will enable the District Coordinator to: contact the Sponsor, explain essential aspects of the program, verify eligibility, and secure written agreement from the Sponsor to abide by Department provisions and procedures.
B. The application must contain the following information:
(1) Name, address and day-time telephone number of the Sponsor.
(2) Eligibility criteria: a. verification of alcohol involvement through a copy of the police crash report. Indication of alcohol involvement as the cause or contributing cause to the crash by the investigating officer as recorded on the police crash report shall be considered sufficient evidence for the purpose of this program. b. verification that the person for whom the Memorial Sign is intended was a victim, as defined herein.
(3) The application will contain a signature line for the Sponsor to verify his/her willingness to abide by the conditions set forth therein and to hold the Department harmless of any liability.
C. The signed application is then returned by the Sponsor to the District Coordinator. The Coordinator will verify eligibility and forward a copy of all qualified applications to the District Traffic Engineer.
D. Once a location is selected by the District Traffic Engineer, the District Coordinator will forward an authorization for sign purchase to the Sponsor and the Division.
E. It is the Sponsor's responsibility to submit a copy of the approved authorization and payment in full, to an approved sign manufacturer. The cost for a sign shall be the Sponsor's responsibility.
F. The sign manufacturer will ship the completed sign directly to the appropriate Highway District Office.
G. The Highway District Offices will install the Memorial Signs without cost to the Sponsor according to each District's work schedule. Specific requirements are as follows
(1) All sign fabrication and installation requirements shall be in accordance with Department specifications for road and bridge construction, and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
(2) Placement of the sign will be under the direction of the respective District Traffic Engineer. Installation depends on the District's work schedule and related circumstances. Cost for replacing damaged signs will be the Sponsor's responsibility.
(3) A sign will remain in place for at least one (1) year from date of installation. Once a sign is removed, the Sponsor will be notified and the sign will be available for return to the Sponsor at the Highway District Offices.
H. The District Traffic Engineer will notify the Coordinator who will contact the Sponsor as to the location and date the sign was installed. Once this information is provided the Department, the process from initial request to installation is complete.
I. The Highway District Office will be responsible for removal of all Memorial Signs. Damaged signs will be removed if not repaired promptly after notification to the Sponsor.
[Recompiled 11/16/01]