“I was pleased to hear that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has officially eliminated regulations relating to street sign lettering and reflectivity that would have required local municipalities to replace signs,” said Congressman Higgins. “This process would have been costly and would have diverted transportation funding in already stretched thin budgets away from other more needed infrastructure improvements. Instead of wasting our time and energy on unnecessary bureaucratic mandates, let’s make economic development and job creation a priority in our local communities.”
Timeline:
In a letter to the Federal Highway Administration dated November 9, 2010, Congressman Higgins questioned the new rules writing, “Since we are in a time where communities across Western New York and the country are struggling to balance their budgets, I was extremely disturbed to see that the Federal Highway Administration would add an additional mandate on these cash-strapped communities, forcing them to upgrade signs.”
On November 30, 2010 Congressman Higgins noted the reopening of the public comment period on the sign regulations and encouraged the public to weigh in.
Congressman Higgins officially filed his own opinion on the matter with a letter sent to the Federal Highway Administration on January 11, 2011 stating, “Amid this extremely difficult fiscal situation, local jurisdictions are justifiably sensitive to any new regulations and compliance deadlines that will increase the cost of transportation and infrastructure obligations, potentially diverting resources from critical priorities. As you continue to evaluate these regulations, I would urge you to please consider the financial situation of these communities. We can all agree that the safety of our roads for all citizens is imperatives, but the implementation of these regulations should also carefully consider their fiscal impact.”
In August 2011, Congressman Higgins applauded the Department of Transportation for their plans to lift this mandate.
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