Wis. Admin. Code Department of Transportation § Trans 200.05 - Warning signs for underground transmission lines
(1) Subject to the
conditions set forth in this chapter and in compliance with the provisions of
s.
86.16,
Stats., the department may grant permits to public utility companies and
cooperatives to erect on highway right of way signs giving notice of the
presence of underground conduit, cables or pipe for the transmission of
electric power, communications or liquid or gaseous fuels.
(2) When warning signs are permitted in
accordance with this chapter, they shall be placed on highway right of way
within 2 feet of the fence or right of way line in such a manner that the face
of the sign roughly parallels the highway centerline and shall be so adjusted
as to height that they will in no way impair vision at intersections, curves,
railroad crossings or private entrances. Signs may be erected at the following
prescribed locations:
(a) On one or both
sides of a public highway or railroad right of way which the underground
transmission line crosses.
(b) On
one or both sides of a stream wider than 50 feet. In the case of navigable
streams or channels, additional signs may be permitted in the stream at such
locations approved by the authority having control of navigation.
(c) On one side of a small stream or drainage
ditch.
(d) At such intermediate
points that signs will be located at intervals of approximately one-half
mile.
(e) At such other points as
may be specifically authorized upon a determination that such additional signs
are necessary to reduce the likelihood of damage to the transmission
lines.
(3) The signs
shall be rectangular in shape and not larger than 24" x 18" when mounted
horizontally or not larger than 12" x 18" when mounted vertically. Roof-type
aerial markers shall not exceed 24" x 18" measured on the plane connecting the
4 lower corners of the marker with a maximum vertical dimension of 8". Adequate
contrasting color combinations for signs may be selected at the discretion of
the utility, except that the following 2-color combinations are specifically
prohibited:
(a) Black on federal
yellow.
(b) White on red (except
where specifically required by other legal authority).
(3m) The signs shall not be
reflectorized.
(4) In addition to
the warning message, the signs may include an arrow or arrows indicating the
general direction taken by the transmission line. The arrow signs may also be
separate from the warning sign, in which case they shall be not greater than 4"
x 12" in size. The warning signs may carry the name, address, and telephone
number of the company owning the transmission line, provided that such
lettering shall not exceed one inch in vertical height. The word "Danger" shall
generally be avoided unless specifically required by statute or other legal
authority. No advertising will be permitted except that the signs may carry the
company symbol provided that such symbol is restricted in size to a minimum of
one inch and a maximum of 20% of the vertical height of the sign. Such
restrictions shall apply to both horizontal and vertical dimensions of the
symbol.
(5) All signs and their
supports shall be erected, maintained, and replaced as necessary by the company
owning them. They shall be moved by the company at its own expense upon request
from the authority maintaining the highway.
(6) In accepting permission to erect signs of
the type provided for in this chapter, the company (or cooperative) agrees that
such permission in no way constitutes assumption by the highway maintaining
authority of any liability for any damage to the transmission line resulting
from work performed by or for said highway authority.
(7) The regulations of this chapter shall not
be retroactive but shall apply to all sign installations made subsequent to the
date of adoption of this chapter, and shall also apply to any replacement of
existing signs made after said date.
(8) Special cases where application of this
general policy is deemed impractical, inadequate or unreasonable shall be
subject to special study and individual decision by the department as to
disposition.
Notes
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