Governor Ed Rendell says Pennsylvania is still awaiting word from the feds on a request to sell advertising on electronic highway signs.

KYW’s Tony Romeo reports that Governor Rendell says three states are asking for a waiver of federal rules that would allow advertisements to be displayed along with travel advisories, road conditions and other information on roadside and overhead electronic signs:

“Pennsylvania, Florida and California have filed together and we’ve asked them to allow us to do pilot programs, but we haven’t heard.”

Lawmakers would also have to change state law if federal approval is granted. The pilot program would involve just 50 electronic road signs to start… to address safety concerns raised by some advocates, who think the ads might be a distraction.

But a Rendell spokesman says ad revenue could lead to the purchase of more signs, and the governor sees safety advantages in that.