September 10, 1999
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

Highway Signage Policy in place

Charles Furey, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today announced that government's new Highway Signage Policy will come into force on September 10, 1999. Minister Furey announced the interim policy on August 3 at which time he stated it would be implemented pending feedback from the public.

As part of an information phase, government established a Highway Signage Advisory Committee to monitor public comments and to make recommendations on any revisions to the proposed Highway Sign Regulations. "The committee, which included representatives from Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, the Newfoundland and Labrador Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Municipalities submitted its consensus report to government on September 1. The report supported the general objectives of the signage policy and recommended it be implemented with minor changes," said Furey. The committee received 46 comments regarding the proposed policy, ranging from concerns and comments about the types of businesses eligible for promotional signs, to the distance from intersections where commercial signage is permitted.

"Government has reviewed the changes proposed by the advisory committee and adopted the great majority of the recommendations," said Mr. Furey. "The recommendations for government to develop standards for sign kiosks and plazas will be examined in greater detail over the coming months.

"Generally, it is widely agreed that a new highway signage policy directed at providing more restrictions on the types and placement of signage on our highways is necessary. The policy now in place accomplishes that goal and overall, it appears to be widely accepted. It balances the needs of the traveling public for good directional signage with maintaining a safe and efficient highway system while putting in place a clear set of rules on promotional signage."

Furey added: "Now that the policy has been finalized it is even more important that businesses wishing to establish off-site promotional signage apply for permits because any signs without a permit or without an application on file will be removed beginning on October 6, 1999."

The policy sets out the types of businesses permitted to erect signage, rules and regulations regarding the style of signage permitted, and where signage can be displayed on provincial highways.

The changes to the policy are attached. Copies of the policy may be obtained by contacting Government Service Centres. Contact numbers follow.

Media contact: Tara Laing, Communications, (709) 729-0928.

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FACT SHEET
CHANGES TO THE PROPOSED HIGHWAY SIGNAGE POLICY

The following is a list changes to the proposed Highway Sign Policy announced on August 3, 1999.

1) The range of signs permissible at sign kiosks/plazas not be limited to the tourist sector and subject only to the review of the sponsoring organization.

2) Sign plazas/kiosks be permitted at any location where safety considerations can be met, along provincial highways, and not be limited only to areas where a Corridor 2 cannot be established.

3) The off highway distance for tour operators to advertise on fingerboards be increased to 75 kilometres.

4) Community service signage be permitted in Corridor 1 providing it contains no commercial promotion.

5) Trail head signage be permitted as a premises sign and advanced trail head warning signs be permitted as if they were a tourist attraction.

6) Each operation eligible for promotional signage be allowed one promotional sign on each approaching route up to a maximum of four per operation.

7) The size permissible for community welcome signs be increased to be nine square metres.

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BACKGROUNDER
HIGHWAY SIGNAGE POLICY
OFF-SITE PROMOTIONAL SIGNS

The new policy identifies the types of businesses which are permitted to have promotional signs on the highways. Establishments such as theme parks, craft shops, art galleries, museums, tour operations, community festivals, farmers/fish markets, hotels/motels, hospitality homes, cabins, campgrounds, eating establishments and trailer dumping sites will be permitted to erect signage under this policy. Information and application forms for off-site promotional signs are available from Government Service Centres; no fee applies to these permits.

FINGERBOARDS

The blue and white fingerboard sign program will continue under the management of Works, Services and Transportation. Applications for fingerboards signs are available from the Department of Works, Services and Transportation. The cost is $375.00 (plus HST) for a three year period. This fee will cover the cost of manufacturing, installing and maintaining the fingerboard sign.

CORRIDOR #1

An area along the entire length of all provincial highways reserved for standardized signage, in the following order of precedence: regulatory, warning, directional, guide and fingerboard signs installed by the Department of Works, Services and Transportation. The corridor is 8.5 metres wide and immediately adjacent to the right-hand side of the highway gravel shoulder.

CORRIDOR #2

An area along a roadway, designated by the Department of Works, Services and Transportation, reserved for off-site promotional signs. The corridor edge nearest the highway will be at least 10 metres from the highway gravel shoulder. The off-site promotional signs must be positioned in the corridor in compliance with the regulations (Section 22).

 

RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIGHWAY SIGNAGE POLICY

- Department of Tourism, Culture, and Recreation is responsible for the development of Highway Signage Policy.

- Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs is responsible for the legislation enacting the Highway Signage Policy.

- Department of Works, Services and Transportation is responsible for accepting all applications, construction, installation and maintenance of fingerboards.

- Department of Government Services and Lands will perform all permitting functions and represent government at any appeal hearings in accordance with the amended Highway Signage Regulations. The inspections and monitoring functions will be undertaken by the Department of Government Services and Lands in consultation with, and with assistance from, the Department of Works, Services and Transportation.

 

GOVERNMENT SERVICE CENTRES:

St. John's  Tel: (709) 729-3699, Fax: (709) 729-2071
Harbour Grace  Tel: (709) 945-3107, Fax: (709) 945-3114
Clarenville  Tel: (709) 466-4060, Fax: (709) 466-4070
Gander    Tel: (709) 256-1420, Fax: (709) 256-1438
Grand Falls-Windsor    Tel: (709) 292-4206, Fax: (709) 292-4528
Happy Valley-Goose Bay   Tel: (709) 896-2661, Fax: (709) 896-4340
Corner Brook     Tel: (709) 637-2204, Fax: (709) 637-2681

1999 09 10 4:00 p.m.