Statutory speed limit signage program opens

Communities may apply for free, static speed limit signage for their roadways through a new program administered by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Traffic Safety Section, in coordination with the Office of Transportation Planning.

The Speed Limit Signage Program is a result of recent amendments to the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which now allows MassDOT to provide signage for statutory speed limits. Previously, MassDOT was only permitted to provide regulatory speed limit signs.

Regulatory speed limits are based on speed studies and governed by MassDOT’s Speed Zoning Procedures. Adoption of regulatory speed limits is optional.

Statutory speed limits, the focus of this program, are established by legislation where there are no regulatory speeds.

The Speed Limit Signage Program will supply speed limit signs, statutory placards, and posts for mounting the signage.

The program has $1 million in funding for the current federal fiscal year.

MassDOT said it will review requests and approve requests based on funding availability and demand.

Signage requests are due by June 12 and must be submitted through an online survey form.

MassDOT held a Zoom webinar on May 20 and 21 to review the program details, clarify eligibility requirements, and answer questions from local officials. (The slide deck can be viewed here.)

Questions may be directed to Leah Pickett at [email protected].