A bill that would relocate or remove dozens of signs advertising schools, beaches, ski slopes and other attractions from Maine’s interstate highways is headed to Gov. Paul LePage after receiving final approval in the Senate on Tuesday. The bill, LD 1831, protects an estimated $170 million in federal highway funds by bringing the state in line with federal regulations on signs placed along the Maine Turnpike, Interstate 95 and Interstate 295.
The law would result in about 90 signs removed, relocated closer to the exits leading to the location advertised, or replaced with smaller signs that fall within the bounds allowed by federal rules. Supporters of the bill say that it would not only protect valuable federal highway funds for Maine, but it would take the sign-approval process out of the political realm by establishing a regulatory process by which new signs could be placed along the highways. Lawmakers decide, on a case-by-case basis, every time a business or other group wants to put a sign on the Interstate.