Lower Merion Will Keep its Historical Street Signs

Lower Merion Township has succeeded in its mission to exempt itself from a federal mandate that would have required replacing its historical street signs with larger aluminum street signs, Ward 10 Commissioner Scott Zelov said Tuesday.

The commissioners unanimously voted to , and the township crafted a letter in January requesting an exemption from the mandate. Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) wrote a letter on March 18 in support of the township’s request for a waiver.

“So, I first of all want to thank Sen. Toomey and Congressman (Jim) Gerlach for their support of Lower Merion’s waiver request,” Zelov said. “And this is welcome relief from unneeded intrusion into Lower Merion from the federal government. It was the work of many to overturn this unnecessary rule.”

In a letter from Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to Toomey (see the attached PDF), LaHood writes that the purpose of the mandate is to improve traffic safety.

“We recognize and appreciate the value of preserving historical elements of transportation infrastructure, such as Lower Merion’s street signs," LaHood wrote. "Therefore, the existing signs may remain as historical monuments. If a community determines it needs street name signs for safety and navigational reasons, however, those signs would need to conform with (the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices).”

Calls to Toomey’s office and to the township were not immediately returned.

However, Toomey's office did issue a press release about the issue.

“I extend my sincere thanks to Secretary LaHood for his prompt cooperation and flexibility in allowing Lower Merion Township to keep its beloved historical street signs. There is no evidence that these existing signs constitute a danger, and keeping the signs will preserve local history while saving the township money,” Toomey said, according to the press release. “This is a good day for everyone in Lower Merion Township who worked together to save a piece of history.”