On an eight-year cycle all traffic control signs along Allen County roads are replaced.
Bill King, director of Public Works, outlined the county’s sign-replacement policy for commissioners this week, noting the county had certain responsibilities required by the Kansas Department of Transportation.
All signs are required to have a high level of prismatic sheeting — meaning they’re reflective and easy to see with the naked eye — with a minimum guaranteed life of 10 years under normal conditions.
Signs are replaced in a blanket approach, meaning those replaced in any one year are in one general sign division area.
When signs are replaced the date is placed on the back so there will be no question about when the new one was put up.
While replacement is scheduled, law enforcement officers and others in an official capacity with the county are encouraged to pay attention to sign conditions and report when they think one should be replaced, because of weather, vandalism or theft. Residents also are encouraged to report problem signs that are missing, damaged or obscured, as well as those the have lost their reflective nature.
King said the sign policy pertained to traffic control signs, and not those referred to as 911 signs, ones that identify streets and roads and are meant to guide medical personnel and other responders.
