MnDOT addresses mailbox complaints

Published 9:24 am Thursday, January 6, 2011

The Minnesota Department of Transportation has received a number of complaints from citizens about mailboxes damaged in southeastern Minnesota after efforts to clear snow from multiple December 2010 storms.

“Heavy snow may be the reason some mailboxes and latches need to be replaced, and that is the owner’s responsibility,” said MnDOT Maintenance Superintendent Wesley Smith.

Please note the following reminders about mailboxes along state highways:

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• Owners are responsible for the care and replacement of damaged mailboxes unless directly hit by a snowplow.

• Mailboxes with damaged or worn latches should be replaced. Wind and heavy snow can cause a mailbox door to fall open if the latch isn’t working properly.

• Mailbox reflectors should be blue or clear. Motorists may confuse red and orange reflectors with vehicle tail lights, which could draw them toward the mailbox when visibility is limited.

• Newspaper holders, chains and other types of ornamental displays under the mailbox add to the size and weight of the mailbox and do not leave much room for plow clearance.

MnDOT follows up on all mailbox damage complaints and appreciates cooperation from mailbox owners when investigating damages. To report a mailbox hit by a snowplow along a state highway in southeastern Minnesota, call 507-286-7500 (Rochester) or 507-446-5500 (Owatonna).