Spring showers bring busy mowers—keeping roadsides clear keeps us all moving

It's that time of year again: as spring rains fuel rapid roadside growth, Lane County's mowing crews are preparing to tackle tall grass and brush along rural County-maintained roads. But before the blades start spinning, crews need a clear path-free of signs, fencing, and other obstacles in the public right-of-way.

"Mowing helps reduce wildfire risk and ensures drivers can see clearly around curves and intersections," said Chad McBride, Lane County vegetation supervisor. "When signs, fencing, or landscaping show up in the right-of-way, it slows down our work, damages equipment, and creates avoidable safety hazards."

County staff will be removing obstructions from road rights-of-way before mowing.

"Election season often brings a surge in illegally placed signs," said McBride. "We'll be conducting a cleanup sweep ahead of mowing operations to make sure signs don't become entangled in our equipment."

Here's how you can help:

• Remove signs - Political signs, business signs, or any other type of sign don't belong in the road right-of-way. Signs placed near rural roads should be on private property and behind any utility poles, sidewalks, or other public infrastructure. Removed signs will be stored at Lane County Public Works for 30 days before disposal.
• Clear rocks and objects - Rocks over 3 inches in diameter and fixed objects, such as decorative lights or posts, need to be cleared from the mowing area.
• Fix or remove old fencing - Fencing that has fallen into the right-of-way can become entangled in mowing equipment or block access completely.
• Trim or relocate plantings - Ornamental plants in the right-of-way will be mown low to keep vegetation in check.

By keeping roadsides clear, property owners can help reduce public costs, protect County equipment, and keep roads safer for everyone-including the crews doing the work.

In rural areas, the road right-of-way typically extends from the edge of the pavement to the property line (usually where fences are placed). In unincorporated parts of Eugene or Springfield, it's the area between the sidewalk and the curb.

And a quick reminder for drivers: Crews may begin mowing as early as 5:00 a.m. Be on the lookout for them in the early morning hours. You may pass a mower on the left when it's safe to do so, but always yield to oncoming traffic.

For more information about right-of-way maintenance, contact Lane County Public Works at 541-682-6900.