Roadside Memorials

Roadside Memorials

ADOT's Roadside Memorial policy allows families to place memorial markers along state highways honoring those who have been killed in crashes, but these markers must be approved by ADOT and must meet safety standards for size, materials and placement. Families who already have memorials along highways may either:

  • keep in place memorials that meet safety standards listed below for size, materials and placement;
  • or work with ADOT to replace memorials that don’t meet safety standards for size, materials and placement.

 

Who qualifies for a marker?

Markers may be placed for traffic-related fatalities that occur on the state highway system (roadways designated as state routes or U.S. highways). A request to place a marker must be submitted to ADOT by the victim’s family or a person who has written permission from the victim’s family. One marker is allowed per victim.

How does a family or its designee request ADOT permission to place a marker?

Central District
Attn: Permits Supervisor
2140 W. Hilton, MD E700
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Main District Office Phone: 602.712.8965
Online requests: azdot.gov/Contact
(Select Highway Maintenance as issue)

North Central District
Attn: Permits Supervisor
1801 S. Milton Road
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Main District Office Phone: 928.774.1491
Online requests: azdot.gov/Contact
(Select Highway Maintenance as issue)

Northeast District
Attn: Permits Supervisor
2407 Navajo Blvd.
Holbrook, AZ 86025
Main District Office Phone: 928.524.5400
Online requests: azdot.gov/Contact
(Select Highway Maintenance as issue)

Northwest District
Attn: Permits Supervisor
3660 E. Andy Devine Ave.
Kingman, AZ 86401
(Prescott Office: 1109 E. Commerce Dr., Prescott, AZ 86305)
Main District Office Phone: 928.681.6010 (Kingman) or 928.777.5861 (Prescott)
Online requests: azdot.gov/Contact
(Select Highway Maintenance as issue)

 

South Central District
Attn: Permits Supervisor
1221 S. Second Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85713
Main District Office Phone: 520.388.4200
Online requests: azdot.gov/Contact
(Select Highway Maintenance as issue)

Southwest District
Attn: Permits Supervisor
2243 E. Gila Ridge Road
Yuma, AZ 85365
Main District Office Phone: 928.317.2100
Online requests: azdot.gov/Contact
(Select Highway Maintenance as issue)

Southeast District
Attn: Permits Supervisor
2082 E. US Highway 70
Safford, AZ 85546
(Globe Office: 1900 N. Highway 60, P.O. Box 2717, Globe, AZ 85502)
Main District Office Phone: 928.432.4902 (Safford) or 928.402.5600 (Globe)
Online requests: azdot.gov/Contact
(Select Highway Maintenance as issue)

Where can a memorial be placed?

ADOT will consult with those making requests on the exact location of a marker to ensure proper and safe placement.

A marker should be:

  • as close as possible to the edge of the highway right of way that is farthest away from the road surface, preferably near a utility pole or at the edge of an area that isn’t mowed;
  • and located in a way that doesn’t distract motorists.

A marker may not be:

  • placed in a highway median or between the lanes and frontage road of a controlled-access highway;
  • located in front of developed property unless the owner of that property gives written permission to the family or its designee;
  • or affixed to traffic-control devices, signs, signals, light poles, trees, walls, fences or other features.

Size and materials

There are limits to the size of markers and to the materials that may be used to create markers.

A marker:

  • may be no more than 30 inches high and no wider than 18 inches;
  • may have a foundation no more than 12 inches deep, and that foundation shall not involve concrete or metal footings;
  • may be fabricated from wood or plastic/composite material;
  • may include components no larger than 2 inches thick and 4 inches wide;
  • may include a plaque up to 4 inches by 4 inches and 1/16-inch thick listing the victim's name, date of birth and date of death.

A marker may not include a photograph.

Families who already have memorials along highways

Families or their designees should contact the ADOT district office serving that area to find out if an existing memorial meets safety standards for size, materials and placement. A memorial that meets the standards may receive ADOT approval as long as the family provides a contact in case the marker ever has to be moved for a roadway maintenance or construction project.

A memorial that doesn’t meet safety standards but doesn’t pose an immediate hazard will be marked with a notice that the family has 60 days to remove it. After that period, ADOT personnel will remove the memorial after documenting and photographing the contents and will leave a notice telling family members where the items may be picked up, usually the nearest ADOT maintenance yard. ADOT will store the items for at least 60 days. Families or designees whose memorials must be removed are encouraged to work with the ADOT district office to place an approved marker.