La. Admin. Code tit. 70 § III-105

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section III-105 - Location

A. Eligible Highways. Specific information signs shall be allowed only on interstates and other fully controlled access facilities. Signs shall not be installed on elevated roadways and bridges.

B. Rural Areas. Specific information signs are intended for use primarily in rural areas.

C. Urban Areas. Specific information signs may be installed within urban areas where there is sufficient room for the installation of two or more specific services signs. Separate distance criteria have been established for interchanges in urban and rural areas. Increased congestion and travel time dictate the use of shorter distance criteria for interchanges in urban areas. The department shall determine which interchanges are urban based on political boundaries, commercial development, and other appropriate factors.

D. Lateral Location. The specific information signs should be located to take advantage of natural terrain, to have the least impact on the scenic environment, and to avoid visual conflict with other signs within the highway right-of-way. Sign panel supports shall be of a breakaway or yielding design.

E. Relative Location. In the direction of travel, successive specific information signs shall be those for "attractions ," "camping," "lodging ," "food ," and "gas " in that order.

F. Convenient Re-Entry Required. Specific information signs will not be installed at an interchange where the motorist cannot conveniently reenter the highway and continue in the same direction of travel.

G. Number of Signs Permitted. There shall be no more than one specific information sign for each type of service along an approach to an interchange or intersection. There shall be no more than six business signs displayed on a specific information sign.

H. Ramp Signing. Specific information signs with directional and distance information shall be installed along the ramp approaching the crossroad when the business(es) are not visible from that approach. These signs will be similar to the corresponding specific information signs along the main highway but reduced in size.

I. Trailblazing. Trailblazing to a business shall be determined by the department in accordance with the following provisions.

1. Trailblazing shall be done with an assembly (or series of assemblies) consisting of a ramp size business sign, an appropriate white on blue arrow, and if required a mileage plaque. The business shall furnish all business sign(s) required. Preference will always be given to the erection of standard traffic signs (e.g., regulatory, warning, and guide signs) which may preclude the installation of trailblazers in heavily congested areas.

2. Intersection trailblazers shall be required in advance of all intersections requiring the motorist to turn from one route to another. The intersection trailblazer shall be installed with the appropriate left or right arrows.

3. When the distance between the interchange and the intersection trailblazers is greater than 5 miles verification trailblazers shall be required. The verification trailblazers shall be installed with a straight ahead arrow.

4. When the total distance from the interchange is greater than 5 miles a verification trailblazer shall be installed within 1,000 feet of the interchange. The verification trailblazers shall be installed with a straight ahead arrow and a mileage plaque.

La. Admin. Code tit. 70, § III-105

Promulgated by the Department of Transportation and Development, Office of Highways, LR 11:782 (August 1985), amended LR 18:785 (July 1992), LR 19:352 (March 1993), amended by the Department of Transportation and Development, Office of Highways/Engineering, LR 22:224 (March 1996), LR 25:1277 (July 1999), LR 31:727 (March 2005).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 48:461.