Rural mailbox locations examined

The location of mailboxes along highways was discussed in a Transportation and Telecommunications Committee hearing Jan. 21.

LB757, introduced by Papillion Sen. Jim Smith, also would change rules regarding the Nebraska Department of Roads management of state wayside areas and repeal obsolete language pertaining to the county road numbering system.

Smith called LB757 a cleanup bill that updates sections of statute concerning Nebraska roads.

Department Director Randy Peters testified in favor of the bill. He said LB757 would permit the placement of mailboxes within the shoulder line on highways where the surfaced shoulder area is wide enough for a vehicle to be off the highway when delivering or collecting mail. The current law dates from 1961 when the shoulders of Nebraska highways were narrower, he said, requiring mailboxes to be placed one foot outside of the shoulder line.

The bill also would remove the requirement that the department regulate Nebraska’s diminishing wayside, or picnic, areas. Finally, Peters said, the bill would repeal an outdated county roads numbering system in favor of the more modern E-911 road numbering system.

No testimony was given in opposition to LB757 and the committee took no immediate action on the bill.