IN REPLY REFER TO:
1.A.2 (NTIR)
October 2, 2024
City of Oakland
Attn: Josh Rowan
Department of Transportation
250 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Suite 4344, Oakland, CA 94612
RE: Pony Express National Historic Trail (NHT) Signage
Dear Mr. Rowan,
The National Trails Office, National Park Service (NTIR), is requesting the City of Oakland’s support and partnership in the installation of t welve Pony Express NHT signs along its managed rights-of-ways (see sign plan attachment). The purpose of these signs is to mark the historic route of the NHT as designated by Congress and authorized in the National Trails Act (NTSA) - Title 16 US Code 1246 and the NTSA Section 7 (c) authorizes “Where a national historic trail follows existing public roads, developed r ights-of-way or waterways, and similar features of man's non-historically related development, approximating the original location of a historic route, such segments may be marked to facilitate retracement of the historic route, and where a national historic trail parallels an existing public road, such road may be marked to commemorate the historic route.”
In 2012, NTIR was awarded Caltrans Transportation Funds to sign both the California and Pony Express NHTs across the state of California. In 2014, NTIR worked with Caltrans , and all associated districts, to develop a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), which was finalized in December of 2014. To tie into other signing occurring as a part of this project across the state, NTIR is asking for the City of Oakland’s approval to install twelve Pony Express NHT Historic Route signs. The sign panels and installation materials will be provided by NTIR and shipped directly to the City of Oakland. NTIR asks that the City of Oakland use their resources to complete the installation for all t welve signs. Any future changes, additions , or replacements will have to be worked out between NTIR and the City of Oakland in a separate agreement.
NHT sign designs were developed in collaboration with the Federal Highway Administration and adhere to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) as adopted in California ( MUTCD 11th Edition - Chapter 2D pgs. 72-76). Replacement of damaged or outdated signs will be made by NTIR as resources permit. After installation, should you have any need for changes, additions, or replacements signs, please notify NTIR directly at: [email protected] Thank you for your support. These new signs will create a valuable physical presence for the Pony Express NHT and will greatly increase use, tourism, and opportunities to connect the public with the history of this trail.
Sincerely,
Vanessa Torres
Acting Deputy Superintendent
United States Department of the Interior
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
NATIONAL TRAILS
1100 Old Santa Fe Trail
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
If Approved by the City, please sign below:
____________________________________ _______________________ Authorized City of Oakland Representative Date
____________________________________________________________________________ Physical shipping address for signs