Revision of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices

Final Rule

Effective January 9, 1997. Section 2D-39 of the MUTCD is modified to increase the recommended letter sizes for street name signs to a minimum of 6 inch uppercase letters, 1 ½ inch lower case letters, and 3 inch letters for street abbreviations. However, for local roads with speed limits 25 mph or less, the existing MUTCD language is modified to provide an option for continued use of minimum 4 inch uppercase letter size with 2 inch lowercase letters for street abbreviations. All street name signs are required to be retroreflective.

Since the recommended change from 4 to 6 inch letter size may impose some additional costs on State and local jurisdictions, the FHWA is establishing a compliance date for the installation of street name signs. The compliance date is 15 years after the issue date of this final rule (January 9, 1997) or as signs are replaced within the 15 year period. This will allow for replacement after a normal service life of the signs.

Source: Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

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