A sign removal blitz is underway in the seven counties of Highway District 12: Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Letcher, Martin and Pike. Highway District 12 announced Thursday in a press release that all signs illegally placed on state right of way will be removed, including signage for political candidates, yard sales, businesses, real estate or any other purpose.

“Putting signs on state right of way is illegal. That’s the bottom line,” said Mary Westfall-Holbrook, chief district engineer. “Right now, we have a proliferation of political signs, and they will be removed. It doesn’t matter which candidate or political party they are advertising. State right of way belongs to the taxpayers and should be a neutral zone, not a place where businesses and candidates can get free advertising space.”

Signs that are removed will be taken to the nearest state highway garage and kept for two weeks. Unclaimed signs will be discarded.

“We cannot guarantee that signs will not be damaged during the removal process,” Westfall-Holbrook said.