Other types of signs

The intent of “welcome to” signage is to allow communities to provide motorists a sense of arrival to their area. There are two types of “welcome to” signs available in NB – “welcome to a municipality” sign and “welcome to a region” sign.

These signs are allowed on the backslope within the highway right-of-way of any highway in NB and are subject to standards for signing within the right-of-way. If municipalities wish to have more flexibility in the design of their “welcome to” sign , the sign must be installed at least one metre outside the highway right-of-way. Locations must be approved through the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure. In situations where access at an interchange could be for more than one municipality. allowing more than one municipality on a “welcome to” sign will be considered. In cases where an area is bypassed, a “Welcome to a region” sign may be allowed in place of a “Welcome to” municipality sign. All costs associated with the manufacture, installation and maintenance of a “welcome to” sign are the responsibility of the municipality or region.

Information is permitted on a “welcome to” sign:

• The name of the municipality or region
• A slogan for the municipality or region
• A distance or exit number if applicable
• A community event/ information bar
• Additional service symbols approved by the department (up to a maximum of five) may also be added to a “more information” bar.

Visitor information centres must be evaluated and approved by the Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture to qualify for visitor information tourist oriented directional signs. These signs are allowed within the right-of-way of all classes of highways in the province. For more information, on visitor information centre signs, please contact the department Commercial Sign Coordinator by email at [email protected].

Private signs are allowed one metre outside the right-of-way on highways other than level I and level II controlled access highways, such as local named roads and numbered routes if the business operation being signed meets the eligibility criteria. Formatted signs are not a requirement on these other highways, though the department still regulates factors like the message, size, location, spacing, and the distance from the sign to the business operation being signed. A permit is required from the department to install one of these signs along any arterial or collector highway.

All businesses can advertise their facility/service with an on-premises advertisement. On-premises advertisement is an advertisement that is located on the premises of and within one hundred metres of a residence, business or attraction and is for the purpose of advertising that residence, business or attraction.

Short-term advertisements are allowed with written approval from the minister of Transportation and Infrastructure or their designate. Short-term advertisements for level I, level II and connector I highways are allowed for not-for-profit organizations or community events. Short-term advertisements for all other highways are allowed for fairs, exhibitions, festivals, rallies, conferences, political campaigns and other short-term events. Details on the placement of short-term advertisements can be obtained from the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure district office.

Signs are used as a form of traffic management that provides information to the motorist. Guide signs are green in colour and contain information on the location of municipalities or communities found along or off a route. They are installed in accordance with national standards and policies and form part of the highway system.

Warning signs are yellow in colour and warn of road characteristics, hazards and temporary conditions such as curves, bumps, road narrows, etc.

Regulatory signs are normally white in colour and advise of traffic regulations such as speed limits, stop requirements, no left turn, etc.