27:7-21.12 Motor service signs, lease, license, contract.

1. a. The Commissioner of Transportation may lease, license, or contract the use, management, or operation of any State right-of-way or any real property of the department for the purpose of placing motorist service signs and tourist-oriented directional signs in a manner as to produce revenue for the support of the State.

b. In entering into a lease, license, or contract pursuant to this section, the commissioner shall either set a fee for the lease, license, or contract which shall yield at least a fair rental value for the use of the right-of-way or real property, or award the lease, license, or contract on the basis of competitive public bids or proposals to the responsible bidder or proposer whose bid or proposal is determined to be in the best interest of the State, price and other factors considered.

c. Any sign placed on departmental property pursuant to a lease, license, or contract entered into pursuant to this section shall conform to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices issued by the Federal Highway Administration, United States Department of Transportation.

d. Notwithstanding the provisions of any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, and consistent with federal law, a facility shall not be required to have a public telephone or free drinking water available in order to participate in any motorist service sign program or Tourist Oriented Directional Sign Program, as implemented by the department.

L.1997, c.144, s.1; amended 2015, c.139, s.1.