NLIS 6
May 25, 2000
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

Ministers provide update on province�s Highway Signage Policy

Charles Furey, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, in conjunction with Ernie McLean, Minister of Government Services and Lands, Rick Woodford, Minister of Works, Services and Transportation, and Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, today updated the public on the province�s Highway Signage Policy which was implemented on September 10, 1999.

The new highway signage regulations were implemented in an effort to set out the types of off-site promotional signs that are permitted on all provincial roads maintained by the Department of Works, Services and Transportation and to identify the types of businesses that are eligible to erect such signs. The implementation of the new regulations resulted in a number of issues being raised by businesses, municipalities and other concerned parties.

One of the issues raised by stakeholders was the lack of sites for off-site promotional signs (Corridor 2) in certain areas. In response to this, government is encouraging businesses in a region affected by limited access to a Corridor 2, to join together and develop a sign kiosk plaza, which is a structure designed to accommodate a number of signs in a central location. In response to the request of businesses located off the main highway, to erect additional signs where directional change is required, government is suggesting that these businesses make use of the Works, Services and Transportation fingerboard signs, for which they are eligible.

"The Highway Sign Advisory Committee met and reviewed the major issues which were raised by stakeholders, and gave serious considerations to the recommendations put forth," said Furey. "We appreciate the concerns expressed by stakeholders, and feel confident that the recommendations regarding kiosk plazas and fingerboard signs will meet the needs of operators in promoting their businesses."

"It was decided that as this is a new policy which was just implemented in the fall of 1999, we should allow the policy to remain intact for at least one full tourism season, before contemplating major changes. Obviously as with any new policy, there will be associated growing pains and potential changes required, however we feel it is necessary to give this policy a chance and to leave it in place for at least one season and monitor it accordingly. In the meantime, government will continue its efforts to enforce the policy, including the removal of illegal signs."

The Highway Sign Advisory Committee, consisting of individuals from the departments of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, Government Services and Lands, Works, Services and Transportation, Municipal and Provincial Affairs, Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Chamber of Commerce, met in January to discuss some of the issues surrounding the policy.

Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Communications, (709) 729-0928.

2000 05 25                                                                 4:20 p.m.