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

Wis. Admin. Code Department of Transportation § Trans 200.05
Cr. Register, June, 1959, No. 42, eff. 7-1-59; renum. from Hy 19.05 and am.(1) and (8), Register, July, 1980, No. 295, eff. 8-1-80.

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