Betterment Defined definition
Betterment Defined. A betterment is any improvement to the Sign that is being relocated. A comparison of the existing Sign and how it will exist at the new site must be made to determine if betterment exists. If the relocated Sign is to be larger, will have greater HAGL (or greater height above road grade), better materials, longer expected service life, is stronger, safer, less subject to natural hazards or requires less service, a betterment is present. If a betterment exists, it must then be determined if the betterment is necessitated by the highway project or is being added solely at the option of the Owner for business (non-highway project required) purposes. Compensable Betterment: Betterments that are required to accommodate highway construction, and are considered the most cost effective and economically feasible, normally are compensable. This may entail some evaluation between the Owner and the WisDOT of alternative solutions, and cost comparisons may have to take place to determine the most reasonable betterment option. For example, in some situations a taller and or heavier structure with larger footings may be necessary to place a sign at the same road grade to enjoy the same relative traffic exposure it had before. Or, if safety codes currently require platforms or other safety devices because of an increase in sign height to meet road grade, re-erecting a Sign with these requirements may be compensable. In any event, both parties must use reasonable judgment and come to an agreement that the betterment is required to place the Sign in the same relative position it was prior to the relocation.