SubTitle13a-124a-1_13a-124a-7. Specific Information Signs and Business Signs on Limited Access Highways, Title13a Highways and Bridges, Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies

Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (Last Updated: June 14,2023)

SubTitle13a-124a-1_13a-124a-7. Specific Information Signs and Business Signs on Limited Access Highways

Sec. 13a-124a-1. Definitions

Latest version.

Except as defined in this section, the terms used in these regulations shall be defined in accordance with the definitions and usage of the "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices" (MUTCD), which document is on file at the Department of Transportation.

(a) Business sign—a separately attached sign mounted on the rectangular sign panel to show the brand, symbol, trademark or name, or combination of these, for a motorist service available on a crossroad at or near an interchange.

(b) Specific information sign—a rectangular sign panel with:

(1) The words "Gas," "Food," "Lodging" or "Camping."

(2) Directional information.

(3) One or more business signs.

(d) Initial business—the first business to submit an application for specific information signing for a particular service at a particular interchange.

(e) Bond—a written obligation which binds the signatory to answer for the debt, default, or non-compliance with the terms of an agreement.

(f) Certificate of insurance—a Department of Transportation form used to indicate protective liability insurance coverage by the permittee.

(g) Commissioner—the Commissioner of Transportation appointed pursuant to Title 13b, Connecticut General Statutes as revised.

(h) Department—the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation, pursuant to Title 13b, Connecticut General Statutes as revised.

(i) Encroachment permit—a document issued by the District Maintenance Manager, allowing construction within the highway right of way, to a permittee who has met certain qualifications, herein referred to as "permit."

(j) Title 13b—the State Transportation Act.

(k) Information sign maintenance concurrence—a document stating the responsibility of the business with regard to maintaining the specific information sign panel and supports.

(Effective December 5, 1989)

Sec. 13a-124a-2. Interchange Signing Criteria

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Signs shall be installed in accordance with the MUTCD and such State and Federal regulations and standards as may apply to other highway signs, except as further defined in this section.

(a) Specific information signs may be installed based on the following:

(1) Limited access highways except parkways.

(2) Where the distance between the interchange considered and the adjacent upstream interchange is not less than 7,000ʹ as measured from the end of the upstream acceleration lane to the beginning of the downstream deceleration lane; where camping exists the distance shall not be less than 7,800ʹ.

(3) Where the upstream interchange is a half-interchange consisting of only an on-ramp in the direction being considered, the distance between the interchange considered and upstream interchange preceding the half interchange shall not be less than 9,000ʹ; where camping exists the distance shall not be less than 9,800ʹ.

(4) Where an interchange is at unlimited access highways.

(5) At interchanges where the motorist can conveniently reenter the expressway and continue in the same direction of travel.

(6) At interchanges where, in the opinion of the Department of Transportation, specific information signing will not have a detrimental effect on traffic operations.

(b) The number of specific information signs shall be limited to one for each type of service along an approach to an interchange. The number of business signs permitted on a specific information shall be six.

(c) A separate specific information sign shall be provided for each type of service for which business signs are displayed and shall be installed in successive order beginning with CAMPING, LODGING, FOOD and GAS in the direction of traffic. Specific information signs and business signs shall be installed on ramps where the business is not visible from the ramp termini. Businesses visible from the ramp terminus shall not appear on ramp signs. Also, where a turn is required off of the roadway that intersects the ramp, business signs shall be installed at the crossroad to indicate the required turn. Only one turn shall be allowed; businesses requiring, more than one turn shall not be eligible for the program. Excepted therefrom shall be businesses requiring more than one turn but which are located adjacent to and/or clearly visible from the roadway intersecting the ramp or road onto which one turn, has been made. The business shall be responsible for obtaining permission from the individual, group, or government having jurisdiction over the sign location to be used for the signs prior to sign installation. A business, if approved, shall qualify for signing on only one route.

(d) If the interchange closest to the business is signable in only one direction and the business qualifies at a second interchange which allows signing in the opposite direction on the same highway, the business may request signing at two interchanges. A business may have only one sign per direction of travel.

(e) Once a specific information sign has been installed at a given approach, reference to that service shall be removed from any existing service signs for that approach.

(f) Food establishments may display on specific information signs a supplemental message such as “Open 24 Hours”, “Drive Thru” or “Closed Sunday” on the logo.

(Effective December 5, 1989; Amended March 8, 2004; Amended August 2, 2013)

Sec. 13a-124a-3. Minimum Criteria for Services

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The minimum criteria by which gas, food, lodging and camping establishments may qualify for participation in specific information signing for travel services within highway right-of-way is as follows:

(a) All

Shall give written assurance of conformity with all applicable laws concerning the provision of public services without regard to race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, national origin, sex, intellectual or physical disability including but not limited to blindness, and shall not be in breach of that assurance.

(b) Gas

(1) Shall be located not more than 1 mile from the ramp terminus;

(2) Shall provide a public rest room, including a sink, running water and a flush toilet;

(3) Shall be in continuous operation at least 16 consecutive hours, 7 days per week, year-round; and

(4) Shall provide a phone for public use.

(1) Shall be located not more than 2 miles from the ramp terminus;

(2) Shall display a valid permit from the appropriate public agency, as required by law;

(3) Shall be in operation for at least 8 hours daily. The business shall serve in an indoor setting a minimum of two meals per day at least 6 days per week, year-round;

(4) Shall provide a phone for public use; and

(5) Shall provide a public rest room, including a sink, running water and a flush toilet.

(d) Lodging

(1) Shall be located not more than 3 miles from the ramp terminus;

(2) Shall possess a valid permit from the appropriate public agency, as required by law;

(3) Shall have adequate sleeping accommodations for rent consisting of a minimum of 10 units, each including bathroom and sleeping room;

(4) Shall provide free off-street passenger vehicle parking space for each lodging unit for rent;

(5) Shall be in continuous 24-hour operation, 7 days per week, year-round; and

(6) Shall provide a phone for public use.

(e) Camping

(1) Shall be located not more than 10 miles from the ramp terminus via a paved road;

(2) Shall possess a valid license from the appropriate public agency, as required by law;

(3) Shall have adequate parking and camping accommodations for at least 30 vehicles;

(4) Shall have modern sanitary facilities and drinking water; and

(5) Shall be in continuous 24-hour operation, 7 days per week, except that overnight camping facilities may be closed to the public for not more than 180 consecutive days between November 1 and the following May 1.

(Effective October 24, 1984; Amended March 8, 2004; Amended August 2, 2013)

Sec. 13a-124a-4. Application process

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All businesses interested in participating in the Connecticut Specific Information Signing Program may do so by following these steps:

(a) Upon request, the Department of Transportation shall send interested parties an application package that includes an application, application instructions, program regulations and, a list of interchanges that qualify for this program.

(b) All businesses requesting participation in the State's specific information signing program shall submit an application form, provided by the Department of Transportation, containing the necessary information with the application fee in the form of a certified check or money order in the amount of $2,000.00 per interchange. The application fee will cover the cost of processing, field investigation, and permits. In the event the request is not approved, the application fee shall not be refunded.

(c) Upon approval of the application, the applicant shall receive an approval package. All approved applicants are required to submit a completed permit application to the Commissioner along with a Certificate of Insurance (Standard Industry Accord Form) furnished by the Department of Transportation, indicating the correct protective liability insurance coverage by the permittee. In addition to the Standard Industry Accord Form, the initial approved business of a signing installation shall also be required to execute an Information Sign Maintenance Concurrence and furnish a performance bond (minimum $10,000.00) to run for the life of the Concurrence.

(d) The first six applicants for gas, food, lodging and camping that meet the minimum criteria existing at the time of the initial application shall be given the opportunity to participate in the program. The Department shall allow a participating business to display its business signs for a period of not less than one year from the date of the initial installation of those signs, provided that business continues to operate under the terms of the Concurrence and in compliance with the minimum criteria. Excepted therefrom is the initial business who shall be allowed to display its business signs for a period of not less than two years from the date of the initial installation of those signs. However, once the maximum number of similar type businesses are participating in the specific information program at a particular interchange and a similar type business, closer in distance, qualifies and desires to participate in this program, the farthest participating business shall be removed from the program only after that business sign has been displayed for not less than one year from the date of initial installation or two years in the case of the initial business.

(Effective December 5, 1989; Amended March 8, 2004; Amended August 2, 2013)

Sec. 13a-124a-5. Financial responsibility

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Businesses participating in the Connecticut Specific Information Signing Program will assume financial responsibility as outlined in the following:

(a) Installation and maintenance of the specific information signs on the main line and ramp, by an approved contractor, shall be the financial responsibility of the initial business approved for a particular service at the given interchange. The initial business shall submit to the Department, paid receipts for labor and materials costs incurred as a result of the installation of the specific information sign. Subsequent businesses will be required to reimburse the initial business a percentage of the installation cost incurred by the initial business. The dollar amount will be determined by the Department assuming a full complement of businesses (six for gas, four for others) and a depreciation scale based on a twelve year life of sign. Fractions of a year will not be considered. Cost of removal and/or replacement of the specific information sign for reasons other than those stated elsewhere in these regulations will be shared in accordance with the previously established percentages when the work is performed. If the first business does not require a ramp sign, the subsequent business requiring ramp signing will be responsible for the cost of erection and maintenance of ramp signing. Reimbursement for the cost of the ramp sign will be computed in the same manner as the main line sign. If a business is one turn off a crossroad and a sign for the turn is required by the Department that business will be responsible for the cost of the installation and maintenance of that sign. Any adjustment necessary to existing highway signing shall also be the financial responsibility of the business causing the specific information sign to be installed without reimbursement. No work shall be performed within the highway right-of-way without an encroachment permit issued from the Commissioner.

(b) All reimbursements must be completed prior to the issuing of a permit.

(d) A business approved for participation in the specific information signing program that shall replace an existing participant must assume the responsibilities of the business it is replacing and reimburse that business in the amount equal to that portion of the value of the sign at the time the business is removed.

(e) If the initial business is to be removed, the applicant must also agree to assume the initial business' responsibility of maintenance and bond.

(f) Each business displaying a business sign will retain ownership of the business sign and be responsible for maintenance, removal and replacement of its business sign.

(g) If the initial business responsible for the maintenance and bond of the specific information sign withdraws or is removed from the program for reasons other than a new applicant, the remaining businesses on the sign will be notified. If one of the businesses accepts the responsibilities of the sign, a new permit bond and information sign maintenance concurrence will be required.

(h) If no business accepts responsibility within 60 days of notification the Department will remove the specific information sign and will return the business signs to the appropriate businesses.

(i) For all specific information signs erected after October 1, 1998 and all business signs installed on said sign, reimbursement will be as follows: the initial business and subsequent businesses approved in accordance with sections 13a-124a-1 to 13a-124a-7, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, shall be reimbursed, by subsequent businesses on the same sign, the cost associated with said sign divided by the number of businesses on said sign. Reimbursement made by subsequent businesses shall be divided equally between the number of businesses on said sign prior to the approval of the subsequent business. For specific information signs erected prior to October 1, 1998 and business signs erected on said signs reimbursement shall be in accordance with subsection (a) of this section.

(j) In circumstances where a fifth applicant applies and is approved to participate in the program, and requires a revision to an existing specific information sign to accommodate six businesses, an engineering evaluation will be conducted by the department to determine the extent of the signing revision. The fifth applicant will be financially responsible for the revision of the specific informtaion sign by an approved contractor and assume initial business responsibility for maintenance and bond for said sign. If the existing specific information sign is less than ten years of age, the fifth applicant will be responsible for all costs of the sign revision. If the specific information sign is greater than ten years of age, the costs of the sign revision will be divided equally among the businesses to be displayed on the said sign. In instances where the fifth applicant is responsible for all costs of the sign revision, an approved sixth applicant will reimburse the fifth applicant one half the cost of the sign revision prior to such sixth applicants's installing its business logo. All businesses on said sign will be responsible for costs associated with providing appropriately sized business logos for display on the revised specific information sign at the time of revision.

(Effective December 5, 1989; Amended November 5, 1999; Amended March 8, 2004)

Sec. 13a-124a-6. Sign installation requirements

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The design and installation of the specific information signs and business signs shall be in accordance with State established specifications and standards. Exact sign locations for mainline and ramp signing will be determined by Department personnel.

(Effective October 24, 1984)

Sec. 13a-124a-7. Revoking permits

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The Department of Transportation reserves the right to revoke permits and existing specific information signs or business signs upon written notification for any of the following reasons:

(a) Safety

(b) It becomes necessary to install higher priority highway signs.

(d) If the Department determines the signing can no longer be accommodated.

(e) If after a business has been approved to display its business sign, the business is found to be in violation of these regulations, the business will be notified and given 20 calendar days to come into compliance. If after 20 calendar days the business is still in violation of the regulations, the signs will be removed and returned to the business.

In all of the above situations, the state will not be liable for any remuneration, actual or implied, to the businesses displayed on the affected sign.

(Effective December 5, 1989)