Yesterday, May 10, 2012, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that the Department of Transportation is eliminating certain across-the-board deadlines for sign replacement. The DOT’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices requires state and local governments to replace regulatory, warning and ground-mounted guide signs by January 2015, and overhead guide signs and street name signs by January 2018 to meet a minimum retroreflectivity standard. These across-the-board deadlines placed an enormous financial burden on state and local governments at a time when local economies are struggling. For example, Spring Valley Township, OH, has a population of 2,600 and is responsible for 34 miles of road. The estimated cost to retrofit all traffic signs is $25,000. By comparison, compliance costs for New York City were estimated at $27.5 million. Now, while all new signs must meet the minimum retroreflectivity standard, they do not have to be replaced until they reach the end of the useful life.
DOT did retain 12 deadlines for sign upgrades that are critical to public safety. They include installing ONE WAY signs at intersections with divided highways or one-way streets, and requiring STOP or YIELD signs to be added at all railroad crossings that don’t have train-activated automatic gates or flashing lights.
The National Association of Towns and Townships - managed by TFG - has worked for years to get these costly deadlines eliminated.
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