Property Owners Reminded to Keep Lifts and Docks away from Roadways this Fall

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – As fall approached the Highway Department is reminding property owners to move property, signs, and items for sale back from the roadway including boatlifts and docks.

The Otter Tail County Highway Department says they have noticed several docks and lifts and other property stored too close to the highway. State Statute 160.27 makes it illegal for “the unauthorized use of public highway right of way”.

Cristi Field, Otter Tail County Highway Maintenance Supervisor says, “Anything on the right-of-way has to be crash tested and approved. The highway signs have been crash-tested and have break away points. For public safety, we ask people to remove their property from the county owned right -of-way.”

It is recommended to move property in the fall before it freezes to the ground. Property that is too close to the roadway interferes in plowing snow from county roads and is a potential hazard if a vehicle leaves the roadway. Items in the right-of-way are in violation and at risk of being damaged by snow. The priority is to clear the roads, so they are safe for those driving on the highways.