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

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)