PAR & A Political Sign in N.H. (Bridge 101/129 Nashua)

Apparently someone arranged for an electronic "message board" (reportedly on a flatcar protected by barriers and "No Trespassing" signs) with a pro Trump message to be placed on the bridge (101/129, Nashua) over the F. E. Everett Turnpike. This really didn't go over too well with N.H. D.O.T... Got word of this from a friend living in the area.

If PAR replaced the electronic messaging board with an illuminated billboard that wasn't flashing or distracting to drivers, they would be good to go. Not impressed that the bridge is "owned & maintained by NHDOT" - I assume the tracks are owned by PAR and they predate the toll road. And if anybody tries to steal or remove the sign the railroad police can arrest them!

Don't care who y'are, this is funny.

Timmy can do better than that. How 'bout hosting the super spreader in chief on the bizness train for rolling campaign events in New Hampshire? Oh, no can do, too busy wining and dining potential buyers...

BandA wrote: ↑Fri Oct 09, 2020 2:47 am If PAR replaced the electronic messaging board with an illuminated billboard that wasn't flashing or distracting to drivers, they would be good to go.

There are a lot of restrictions on where billboards can be placed on highways after Lady Bird Johnson the wife of President Lyndon Johnson undertook a campaign to beautify the nation's highways. A billboard would not be allowed on an overpass.

Low rent move.

I think putting that sign there was funny as hell! But I understand the sign and flat car have since been removed, there were reports and sightings of the Nashua Crews going up to Wilton and back on Friday 10/9. That flat car had to go somewhere.

And now it has moved to Portsmouth, flanked by a pair of PAR boxcars. Can't tell where, but I don't think NHDOT may have leverage with this one.

Good thing political grandstanding takes precedent over running trains above class I speeds.

neman2 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 09, 2020 8:02 am

BandA wrote: ↑Fri Oct 09, 2020 2:47 am If PAR replaced the electronic messaging board with an illuminated billboard that wasn't flashing or distracting to drivers, they would be good to go.

There are a lot of restrictions on where billboards can be placed on highways after Lady Bird Johnson the wife of President Lyndon Johnson undertook a campaign to beautify the nation's highways. A billboard would not be allowed on an overpass.

I think that only applies to interstate highways, right? FE Everett is a state toll road, so they write their own rules. PAR has exclusive access to the top of the bridge, can park anything there that has wheels & say "preemption". NHDOT owns & maintains the bridge, so PAR can't paint a B&M or Guilford logo on the side or advertise on the bridge itself like they could if it was their own bridge. NHDOT can build a tall wall on top of the bridge to shield the delicate eyes of the motoring public.