Replacing worn-down street signs is an ongoing city project.
“Street signs is one of the ones that everybody driving sees,” said City of Moose Jaw public works manager Duane Grado. “To the general public, it is an inconvenience when you’re looking and can’t see. It’s not one of the most important infrastructures, but it’s definitely one of the infrastructures (where) we have budgets for them.”
He said about 50 signs are replaced per year. He estimated there are 1,200 blocks in the city and 1,500 street identification signs that should last between 20 and 25 years.
“We have an inventory on it, but it’s a big one, that’s for sure,” said Grado. “There are a significant number that have to be redone yet. We’re hoping for maybe some enhanced funds in that account this year.”
The cost to replace two signs at an intersection is approximately $75. Grado said they only have $38,000 available in their operating account to replace signs, including stop signs and street identification signs.
“If you multiply it by 1,500, it’s significant, that’s for sure,” said Grado. “It’s a never-ending catch-up game.”
Kyle Sereda, CEO of Moose Jaw and District EMS, said unreadable signs could cause challenges when responding to a call.
“For us, an address is the most important information we can get to respond to any location in Moose Jaw,” said Sereda. “When we can’t see the street signs to locations we don’t go too often, they do cause us challenges ... It’s probably our most frustrating component to responding to 911 calls.”
For more information, see an upcoming edition of the Times-Herald.
