Lower Merion Township has submitted a comment to speak out against federal regulations that would require the replacement of current street signs with ones that are bigger and reflective.

The township is working with a group of residents, including members of local civic associations, the Lower Merion Historical Commission, Lower Merion Historical Society and Lower Merion Conservancy to find an alternative to the federal mandates so historic signs will not have to be replaced, according to a township news release.

The township has cited a number of reasons for its opposition, which was discussed at last week’s board of commissioners meeting: 

• Financial Impact: The federal mandate is completely unfunded by the federal government, and installing new signs with a design similar to the existing signs would cost the township more than $1.5 million, when considering $500 per sign and adding in the cost of labor, according to the comment. Even replacing signs with standard aluminum blade signs would cost almost $1 million, and it is estimated they would need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years, adding further cost.

•  The Study: The study that sparked this federal mandate was conducted by 3M Company—the same company that is one of the few to manufacture the reflective material to meet federal standards, according to the comment. The mandate, which is 15 years old, could not take into account the advancements in technology that have occurred since then, such as the widespread use of GPS. Emergency vehicles are also directed to their destinations via computer-assisted dispatch, the comment states.

• Safety and Sustainability: Despite the study citing safety issues as a reason for the mandate to replace existing signs, the Lower Merion Police Department says no accidents have been attributed to current street signs, the comment states. Furthermore, replacing the current long-lasting signs would send a negative message to residents about their sustainability efforts.

• Character: The original cast-iron signs along with the cast-aluminum historical replicas add to the character of the township, according to the comment, and they do not serve as guide signs as much as they serve as identifying signs.

If the mandate is not repealed, the township will have to go forward with replacement beginning in 2015 in order to adhere to federal regulations, according to the township news release. Citizens may submit their own comments regarding this mandate here through Friday, Jan. 14.