Is prior approval necessary for conducting maintenance on a right of way?

Approval from the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) is indeed necessary for conducting maintenance on a right of way. This requirement ensures that all maintenance activities are performed in compliance with state standards and regulations, maintaining safety and efficiency on public roadways. It also helps coordinate efforts between various maintenance operations, ensuring that the rights of way are properly cared for without inadvertently causing disruptions or hazards.

Involving MaineDOT in the approval process allows for the assessment of proposed maintenance activities to prevent potential conflicts with other infrastructure, environmental concerns, or public safety issues. This regulatory framework is in place to manage and preserve the integrity of transportation networks across the state.

The concept that approval might not be required, only needed for major projects, or determined solely by local authorities, undermines the critical oversight provided by MaineDOT, which has a broader jurisdiction and expertise regarding the statewide right of way management.