Chillicothe - The Ohio Department of Transportation is reminding the public to refrain from posting signs on the highway rights-of-way.

"With an election approaching in Lawrence County, we are seeing more political signs appearing on the state's right-of-way," said ODOT District 9 Deputy Director Harry Fry.

"While removing illegally posted signs isn't always a priority for the highway management department, our county crews will remove any signs found on the right-of-way."

Signs that are removed by highway workers will be taken to and kept at the respective maintenance facility for up to 30 days. Sign owners may claim their signs from the garage within that time period.

On rural two-lane highways, the right-of-way generally extends at least 30 feet in both directions from the highway center line. On recently built two-lane highways and on four-lane divided highways, the right of way will be greater than 30 feet. In some locations, right of way fences have been erected to mark the right-of-way limits.

"The right of way policy applies to any signs, not just political signs, that are posted illegally or improperly," Fry said.

"In addition to violating the law, those who post the signs are creating a driving hazard for motorists because the signs clutter the highway system and hamper motorists' ability to read official state highway signs."