903.18 Memorial Signs
903.14.1 Memorial Designation Programs
Support. The Missouri General Assembly statutorily established the Memorial Designation Programs to memorialize certain individuals, events, places or organizations on Missouri’s state roadway system.
The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission establish fees for these memorial designation signs. The fee is for participating in the Memorial Designation Programs, which covers the cost of constructing signs or constructing, installing and maintaining markers. These memorial signs and markers are the property of MoDOT.
MoDOT’s involvement in memorial designations is limited to the administration of the designation programs and to the installation and maintenance of signs or markers.
Standard. MoDOT has no authority to designate or install memorial signs or markers on non-state (e.g., city or county) routes.
MoDOT will require written consent from the honoree’s family authorizing the designation, if designating after an individual. To be mindful and respectful of the family, their consent is required. Not all families have interest in seeing a loved one’s memorial sign or marker and want to be reminded of their loss.
MoDOT shall provide notice of any proposed designation on the state’s roadway system by posting the proposal on MoDOT’s Memorial Designation Programs website in addition to making available to any representative of the news media or public upon request.
Organization of memorial dedication ceremonies shall be the responsibility of the family and/or their designee. MoDOT does not participate in organizational planning or provide signs for ceremonies. To ensure the safety of attendees and traveling public, ceremonies shall not take place on state right-of-way. MoDOT does not coordinate the sign installation with dedication ceremonies.
Following the approval of a memorial designation, MoDOT will notify the family or its designee of the approval. MoDOT will send either an approval or payment request letter to the family or its designee, or to the legislator who sponsored the memorial if the family or its designee is unknown. The official letter will provide specific and necessary information regarding the subsequent steps in MoDOT’s memorial designation process.
MoDOT will order signs after the memorial receives approval or becomes law and once the fees, if required are received in full. Signs for memorial designations established through the Legislative Process will not be ordered or installed until after August 28th, date the bill becomes law. Signs for memorial designations established through MoDOT's Application Process will be ordered and scheduled for installation after the designation is approved by the Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight. Sign delivery can take five to seven weeks. Memorial signs or markers are installed within 120 days from the date the signs are received from the manufacturer, weather permitting.
MoDOT shall determine the sign location to ensure safe operation of the state roadway system.
MoDOT will not publicly announce the installation date for memorial signs or markers to ensure safety is not compromised for all individuals involved, including our personnel, and the traveling public.
Option. The family or its designee may request a PDF file of the memorial sign at no cost, provided their written acceptance of MoDOT's PDF terms and condition declaration. The PDF allows the family or its designee to utilize local sign/banner companies to fabricate commemorative or replica signs for their own personal use.
Support. MoDOT will provide the PDF file of the memorial sign electronically to the family or its designee at the email address provided.
Following installation, MoDOT will send digital images of the completed memorial signs or markers and the official installation date to the email address provided by the family or its designee. Memorial sign or marker installations shall not preempt critical highway work or any department directives pertaining to prioritization of sign maintenance.
Option. The family or its designee may submit a biography for an individual honored with a memorial designation on the state roadway system. A photo of the honoree may be added to the biography, if electronically provided.
Support. MoDOT will publicize the honoree’s biography and post a website link on the MoDOT Memorial Map.
Standard. All biographies will have the same format, as designed by MoDOT. MoDOT shall reserve the right to review and edit the biography,
903.14.2 Memorial Highway and Bridge Program (M18-1, M18-2, M18-5, M18-6, M18-7, M18-8) (MUTCD Section 2M.10)
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M18-8
Support. Under certain conditions, and within specific guidelines, Missouri highways and bridges may be designated after an individual (deceased 2 years), an event, place, or organization. The 2-year waiting period after a death is required by state statute to allow for grieving before memorialization decisions are made.
MoDOT will require the family or its designee to provide verification of the honoree’s death. A copy of the death certificate or obituary is an acceptable form of documentation.
Before contacting a member of the General Assembly or completing a MoDOT Application, contact the MoDOT Highway Safety and Traffic Division at (573) 751-7643 or via email at Memorial.Designations@modot.mo.gov to verify availability of the desired section of highway (two-mile-or-less) or bridge location.
MoDOT can help identify an available roadway. The family or its designee will need to provide a general location (e.g., county, route, crossroad) to assist in their research.
Standard. No bridge or section of a highway on the state roadway system shall be designated more than once. Each event, place, organization or person shall only be eligible for one bridge or highway designation. These are the provisions of Missouri Revisor of Statutes - Revised Statutes of Missouri, RSMo Section 227.299.8.
In the event a bridge or highway has a designated name, another bridge or highway shall be selected.
A total of two signs shall be erected for each highway or bridge designation on the state’s roadway system, as specified by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
Signing shall consist of one shoulder post-mounted sign at each end of the bridge or section of highway. Memorial bridge signs will be installed on the roadway carried by the bridge, not on the roadway traveling under the bridge. Memorial signs shall not appear on or be placed on any bridge structure or bridge span over a divided or undivided highway.
The memorial signs shall be rectangular in shape and shall be 6 ft. by 3 ft. The signs shall have a white legend on a green background. The signs shall use MoDOT standard retroreflective sheeting. Legend on the signs shall use 6 in. tall letters with a maximum of 3 lines of text. The legend displayed on memorial signs shall be limited to the name of the individual, event, place, or organization being designated and the required simple message preceding or following the name, such as “MEMORIAL HIGHWAY” or “MEMORIAL BRIDGE”. Additional legends, such as biographical information, nicknames, or any appearance of advertising, shall not be displayed on memorial signs. Decorative or graphical elements, pictographs, logos, or symbols shall not be displayed on or attached to memorial signs or posts.
MoDOT shall have the right to modify the proposed legend based on design limitations.
The lettering on memorial signs shall be composed of lower-case letters with initial upper-case letters.
Where such memorial signs are installed on the mainline, (1) memorial names shall not appear on directional guide signs, (2) memorial signs shall not interfere with the placement of any other traffic control devices, and (3) memorial signs shall not compromise the safety or efficiency of traffic flow. The memorial signing shall be limited to one sign at an appropriate location in each route direction, each as an independent post-mounted sign installation. MoDOT determines the exact sign location to ensure safe operation of the state roadway system.
Memorial Designation names do not replace or alter the official names of state routes with numerals, letters, or city streets. Memorial Designation names are honorary designations only and are not official highway names.
Memorial Designation names shall not appear on supplemental signs or on any other information sign on or along the highway or its intersecting routes.
MoDOT shall erect and maintain signs provided under this policy.
Location of these signs shall be determined by MoDOT.
903.14.2.1 Legislative Process
Support. Legislative bodies will occasionally adopt an act or resolution memorializing or designating a highway or bridge on Missouri’s state roadway system.
MoDOT can help identify an available roadway. The family or its designee will need to provide a general location (e.g., county, route, or crossroad) to assist in their research.
MoDOT can work with members of the General Assembly or House and Senate Research to draft the appropriate bill language.
Standard. A directive for naming shall come through the action of the General Assembly. In the event a bridge or highway has a designated name, another bridge or highway shall be selected.
Only one memorial name shall be used to identify any highway or bridge designation under the provisions of Missouri Revisor of Statutes - Revised Statutes of Missouri, RSMo Section 227.299.
Only the following residents of Missouri shall be eligible for memorial signing through the legislative process:
- Members of the U.S. Armed Forces killed in the line of duty
- Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are missing in action
- Missouri Medal of Honor Recipients
- Emergency personnel killed while performing duties relating to their employment
- State employees killed while serving the state
Standard. For designations honoring Missouri Armed Forces killed in the line of duty or missing in action, Missouri Medal of Honor recipients, Missouri emergency personnel or state employees killed while performing duties relating to their employment, no fees shall be assessed and all costs associated with such designations shall be funded by MoDOT.
MoDOT will waive the participation fee if verification is provided to certify the honoree meets the circumstances outlined in Missouri Revisor of Statutes - Revised Statutes of Missouri, RSMo Section 227.296. A copy of the U.S. Armed Forces Casualty Report, a website link to a fallen military webpage or news article, statement from the Missouri Veterans Commission or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affair, or any military office or state document certifying such facts are acceptable forms of documentation.
MoDOT will design memorial signs for any highway or bridge designation as specified in legislation. MoDOT has no authority to deviate from law. If any part of the memorial designation is incorrect, legislation must be modified during a subsequent legislative session. MoDOT can only change the memorial designation or signs after the correction has been signed into law.
903.14.2.2 Application Process
Standard. A MoDOT application shall be submitted to MoDOT.
A list of one hundred (100) wet-signed signatures of individuals who support the naming of the highway or bridge designation shall be submitted to MoDOT. A 100-signature petition is required by state statute to show community support from the specific area the family, or its designee wishes to designate. The list must be of Missouri residents who are 18 years or older and live in the county or counties surrounding the memorial’s location.
MoDOT will require the family or its designee to have a legislative sponsor supporting the application. All memorial designation programs in the state of Missouri are based on state law. The law requires every memorial application to have a member of the Missouri General Assembly who will sponsor the designation. The sponsor should serve the local community for where the memorial is designated.
A total of two signs shall be erected for each highway or bridge designation on the state’s roadway system, as specified by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
The participating fee shall be paid by the applicant, private donations, or organizations. MoDOT shall maintain the signs for 20 years, after which a renewal application and renewal fee shall be submitted, or the signs are removed.
In the event a bridge or highway has a designated name, another bridge or highway shall be selected.
Only one memorial name shall be used to identify any highway or bridge designation under the provisions of Missouri Revisor of Statutes - Revised Statutes of Missouri, RSMo Section 227.299.
Support. The Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight reviews and approves proposed designations. The Committee normally meets three times a year: in late January or early February, in late April or mid-May (before end of session), and in mid-September (during veto session). MoDOT has no influence over when the Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight meets. If the Committee is unable to gather a quorum to vote on the application, the application will be held, reviewed, and voted on at the next meeting.
Before completing an application, contact the MoDOT Highway Safety and Traffic Division at (573) 751-7643 or via email at Memorial.Designations@modot.mo.gov to verify roadway availability of the desired section of highway (two-mile-or-less) or bridge designation.
MoDOT can help identify an available route. The family or its designee will need to provide a general location (e.g., county, route, or crossroad) to assist in their research.
Additional program information and application can be found at Memorial Highway and Bridge Program.
903.14.3 Heroes Way Designation Program
Support. This program allows for state-maintained highway interchanges, bridges, or segments of highway to be designated for Missouri residents, who were in the armed forces and were killed in action.
Additional information and application can be found at MoDOT's Memorial Designation Programs website.
Option. Any individual who is related by marriage, adoption, or consanguinity within the second degree to the member of the United States Armed Forces who was killed in action may apply for a Heroes Way designation.
Standard. An application shall be submitted to MoDOT.
Interstate or state-numbered highway interchanges, bridges or segments of highway shall only be designated in memory of one fallen solider. All interchanges, bridges and sections of highway shall be identified and tied to the primary route. For example, an interchange at Interstate 70 and U.S. 63 shall be considered an interstate interchange and not a U.S. interchange.
Two signs shall be erected for each interchange, bridge, or section of highway designation. Signing shall consist of one shoulder mounted sign at each end of the interchange, bridge, or section of highway. The signs shall be rectangular in shape and shall be 6 ft. by 3 ft. (standard) or 8 ft. by 3 ft. (optional) size. (This optional size sign accommodates the fallen military soldier’s rank and full name, which may not fit on the standard sign size and will have an increase in costs, due to increase of sign size and larger post required. The roadway must be able to accommodate the larger sign; MoDOT determines its final eligibility.) The signs shall have white legend on a green background. The signs shall use MoDOT standard retroreflective sheeting. The legend displayed on the signs shall be limited to the simple message of “HEROES WAY”, the name of the individual being designated and the branch of armed forces the individual serviced. Decorative or graphical elements, pictographs, logos, or symbols shall not be displayed on the signs.
MoDOT shall have the right to modify the proposed legend based on design limitations of the sign.
The participating fee shall be paid by the applicant or provided through private donations or organizations. MoDOT shall maintain the signs for 20 years, after which a renewal application and participating fee shall be submitted or the signs are removed.
Support. The Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight reviews and approves the proposed designations.
Before completing an application, please contact MoDOT at (573) 751-7643 to confirm roadway availability of the desired interchange, bridge, or section of highway.
903.14.4 Drunk Driving Victim Program
Support. This program allows memorial markers to be placed along state-maintained roadways for any victim killed on a state highway as a result of a vehicular accident caused by an impaired driver. Additional information and application can be found at MoDOT’s Memorial Designation Programs website.
Standard. One marker shall be allowed for one individual. A marker shall not be installed in memory of an individual who themselves were impaired.
One marker shall be erected as close as possible to the location where the crash occurred. The marker shall consist of one shoulder mounted sign on the right-hand side of the roadway. The marker shall be placed in the direction of travel, parallel to the roadway. The marker shall not be placed perpendicular to the roadway.
The marker shall be rectangular in shape and shall be 30 inches by 18 inches. The marker shall have white legend on a blue background. The marker shall use MoDOT standard retroreflective sheeting. The legend displayed on the marker shall be limited to the simple message of “Drunk Driving Victim”, the initials of the individual being designated, the month and year of the accident and the simple message of “Think About It”. Additional legend, such ranks, or titles, shall not be displayed on the signs. Decorative or graphical elements, pictographs, logos, or symbols shall not be displayed on the signs.
The participating fee shall be paid by the applicant. MoDOT shall maintain the markers for 10 years, after which a renewal application and participating fee shall be submitted or the markers are removed.
Option. Immediate family members of the deceased victim or any individual having received written consent from an immediate family member to submit an application on that family member's behalf may request a memorial marker.
Support. Before completing an application, please contact MoDOT at (573) 751-7643 to confirm roadway availability of the desired highway designation.
903.14.5 Adopt-A-Highway Program
Support. Refer to EPG 171.6 for acknowledgment sign program policy.
Refer to EPG 903.9.6 for sign details.