ARC 8467C

ARC 8467C

Proposing rulemaking related to signing for Iowa medal of honor highway
and providing an opportunity for public comment

A Regulatory Analysis for this rulemaking was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on September 18, 2024. A public hearing was held on the following date(s):

●October 11, 2024

The Department received no comments. The title of the proposed chapter and the catchwords for rule 761—131.2(314) were changed.

Any persons who intend to attend a public hearing and have special requirements, such as those related to hearing impairments, should contact Tracy George and advise of specific needs.

ITEM 1.Rescind 761—Chapter 131 and adopt the following new chapter in lieu thereof:

CHAPTER 131

SIGNING FOR IOWA MEDAL OF HONOR HIGHWAY

761—131.1(314) Contact information. Information regarding the signing addressed in this chapter is available from: Traffic and Safety Bureau, Iowa Department of Transportation, 800 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa 50010. Submissions to the traffic and safety bureau may also be sent or delivered to this address. Additional information and guidance may be found at www.iowadot.gov/traffic/Library/Traffic-and-Safety-Manual.

761—131.2(314) Signing. This rule establishes the conditions and procedures for private entities to purchase and pay for the installation of signs designating the Iowa medal of honor highway.

131.2(1) Definition.

“Iowa medal of honor highway” means the segment of the highway known as United States Highway 20, as designated as of June 17, 2020, that crosses this state from Sioux City to Dubuque.

131.2(2) Conditions.

a.The number of signs within the highway right-of-way is limited to one sign at each end of the Iowa medal of honor highway for traffic entering the state and one sign at each entry point of the corporate limits of each city through which the Iowa medal of honor highway passes.

b.Each sign is to match the design approved and provided by the department, and the sign materials are to comply with departmental standard specifications as they exist at the time of fabrication. The departmental standard specifications can be found on the department’s electronic reference library at www.iowadot.gov/erl.

c.Once signs are installed at one of the approved locations, no additional requests will be accepted for that location. When signs have been installed at all locations identified in paragraph 131.2(2)“a,” no further requests will be accepted.

d.The applicant may purchase a sign from the department’s sign shop or from a private sign fabricator. If an applicant chooses to obtain a sign from a private sign fabricator, the department will furnish the sign design and approve the construction prior to purchase. The department will also inspect the sign as stated in subrule 131.2(5).

e.Signs designating the Iowa medal of honor highway are furnished and paid for by the applicants, including any replacements needed due to sign deterioration or damage. Each applicant is responsible for providing the traffic and safety bureau with the applicant’s current contact information so the applicant can be contacted when a replacement sign is needed. Failure to provide current information may result in removal of all signs the applicant purchased. This would allow a new private entity to sponsor the signing.

f.The applicant is responsible for the cost to install the sign, including the posts and hardware.

g.The department will install the sign.

131.2(3) Procedures. Requests to purchase or install a sign are submitted to the traffic and safety bureau and contain the following:

a.The applicant’s name and contact information.

b.A description of the location where the sign is to be installed.

c.A statement as to whether the sign will be purchased from the department or from a private sign fabricator.

131.2(4) Approval. If the request complies with this rule, the traffic and safety bureau will respond to the applicant with approval of the proposed location or modified location and an estimate of the costs for the sign and installation. Following inspection of the sign in compliance with subrule 131.2(5), the department will install the sign and bill the applicant.

131.2(5) Inspection. If a sign is not purchased from the department’s sign shop, the applicant is to deliver the sign to the department’s sign shop for inspection. Upon receipt of the sign, the department will inspect the sign for compliance with the approved sign design and departmental specifications and notify the applicant.

These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code section 314.31.