(Posted 2006)
Greetings weed warriors,
MDT has purchased signs and sign stands for each county doing weed spray on MDT routes. The signs are free to you and are a 48" diamond shape, with black letters on orange background. They are retro reflective for use in poor light as well as daylight. There is a sign base for each sign as well that performs well in windy conditions. These bases meet current crash test specifications established by Federal Highways. I am sorry to say I have only 1 set (two signs and stands) for each county. When doing weed work on MDT's roadways, you need to use these signs. If you are not doing any work on our roadways, feel free to use them for work on other roads.
I do not have signs for counties contracting out your weed control. I am assuming you require appropriate work signs to be used by your contractor and is part of the bid price. Sixteen percent, or 9 of the counties, fall into this category. I have asked the Maintenance Chiefs across the state to tell me how many sign sets they need to provide a set to each county, in their area, that qualifies. I am sending the signs and stands out by MDT transports to each of those areas. If they don't have the signs for you, and you qualify, please let me know.
The use of these signs is not only to warn on-coming vehicles that your spray vehicle is on the roadside and working, but to let them know that herbicides are being applied. The signs should be used in pairs to warn traffic coming from both directions. Traffic will quickly forget about you if the signs are too far from your actual work. Signs should not be more than 3 miles apart. If you have to chose where to use these signs, because you have more than one crew working, I will try to give you some guidance for priorities.
• Roadways that have higher traffic use take precedence over roads with less traffic,
• Roadways with shorter sight distance,
• Roadsides that are more narrow causing you to encroach on the road surface. (Note, you should not reduce the traveling lane to less than 10' without providing additional traffic control.)
I know there is need for more traffic control signs than these two signs can provide. I'm hoping you have existing traffic control devices and these signs will just help with your inventory. Noxious weed control is likely your passion, as well as your livelihood, but it's not worth dieing for on the highways. Please be careful.
I know, the signs are late for this year, but you could also consider them as early for next year!
Dan Williams
Winter and Roadside Maintenance Specialist
406-444-7604
406-444-7684 Fax
dawilliams@state.mt.us
