Caltrans says 2 Inglewood video billboard structures are violating state law
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Set us as preferred State transportation officials say two video billboard structures operated by WOW Media in partnership with the city of Inglewood are illegally located next to an interstate highway.The California Department of Transportation wrote letters Oct.30 outlining the violations to WOW, the Los Angeles-based advertising company that built and maintains many of the digital billboards that have cropped up along Inglewood’s public roads and sidewalks in recent years.WOW’s billboards have divided public opinion — they bring in revenue for the city but some residents say they’re an eyesore — and sparked a complicated financial dispute between city officials and Inglewood’s stadium businesses that spilled over this election through ballot Measure BB.Now, according to Caltrans’ letters, a few of them could be forced to come down or be altered.
The transportation agency identified four digital billboard signs on the two structures along the 405 Freeway as violating the state’s Outdoor Advertising Act, which governs how billboards are placed along highways.The letters state that each violation could result in a fine of $10,000 with additional daily penalties assessed.
No such penalties have been charged yet.A WOW spokesperson said in an email to the LA Local that the signs are fully permitted and that the company plans to appeal the decision.It’s not the first time the issue has surfaced, the spokesperson said; the billboard company appealed a Caltrans finding in 2022 and met with the transportation agency.
“When compliance issues have been raised, WOW has dealt with them forthrightly and transparently,” the spokesperson wrote.The spokesperson claimed the violations are the product of a political hit job by the venue owners, who campaigned to hinder WOW’s billboard network through Measure BB.If it...