Federal Highway Extends Comment Period Regarding Alt Fuel Highway Signage Changes

On Tuesday, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced that it was extending the comment period related to proposed highway signage changes. FHWA previously announced in December that would accept comments on proposed changes to The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD), which is incorporated in FHWA regulations and recognized as the national standard for traffic control devices and signs used on all public roads.

The original comment period was set to close on March 15, 2021, but based on concerns expressed by a number of stakeholders, FHWA has extended the comment period to May 14, 2021. Of interest to NGVAmerica and other alternative fuel stakeholders are plans to make it more difficult for businesses to promote the availability of alternative fuel pumps on specific service signs. The change would limit inclusion of alternative fuel information on specific service signs to businesses that also provide gasoline and other fuels. Also proposed is a requirement that any designated alternative fuel corridors must include general service signs along the routes identifying the exits ramps for such stations. The concern with the latter requirement is that it could discourage states from designating corridors since state highway departments are responsible for maintaining and paying for general service signs.

Several Clean Cities Coalitions have expressed concerns about the proposed changes and are leading an effort to submit comments. The notice extending the comment period is available at: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-02-02/pdf/2021-01440.pdf.

The December notice is available at: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-12-14/pdf/2020-26789.pdf.