PennDOT says flag may have to come down
An American flag suspended over Route 51 northbound near Smock may be someone’s way of showing patriotism, but a PennDOT officials said the proper procedures apparently weren’t followed to put it up and it may have to be taken down. The flag, suspended approximately 30 to 40 feet in the air and attached on either hillside, meets the height requirements, but whoever put it up there didn’t get the necessary permits, said Jay Ofsanik, safety press officer for PennDOT’s District 12, which covers Fayette County.
“Somebody is being very patriotic,” said Ofsanik. “But there hasn’t been a permit issued for it.”
Ofsanik said he spoke with PennDOT traffic engineer Brian Hart regarding the proper procedures to suspend the flag.
Ofsanik said whomever wishes to put up the sign of patriotism must first go to the municipality and ask for a resolution authorizing display of the banner and accepting responsibility for it.
After a resolution is passed, a permit may be obtained from PennDOT.
Banners or flags must meet the minimum height requirement of 17 feet 6 inches as well. Ofsanik said the Route 51 flag easily meets the height requirement.
Also, banners or flags can’t be placed over limited access highways, but Route 51 doesn’t fall into that category, so if the proper procedures were followed, it would be legal.
Ofsanik said he is unsure how long the flag has been suspended across the highway, why it is there or who put it there, but since proper procedures apparently weren’t followed, it may have to be taken down.