Abundance of Hwy. 33 Signs may be Reduced
The Port Washington Board of Public Works voted to decrease the signage along the newly constructed roundabouts after hearing from Department of Transportation officials about reduction options.
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Port Washington may see some relief from the abundant Highway 33 signage afterall.
"The (Department of Transportation) will allow the City to remove signage that is not required by the (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices)," City Engineer Rob Vanden Noven said. "The (Port Board of Public Works) recommended removing redundant signage in the median that is not required by the MUTCD. Also, they recommended replacing the overhead signage with post mounted signs."
The board's vote eliminates about 30 signs, according to an Ozaukee Press article. The city will be responsible for whatever it may cost to remove the signs.
The Port Washington Common Council had been discussing the abundance of signs for quite some time, recently growing frustrated with the lack of action on its complaints.
"Last (meeting) I said it was absurd," Ald. Joe Dean said at a council meeting in early August. "It's just laughable to jump on to (the amount of signs they are suggesting). I'm frustrated with 'working on it.'"
The highway project includes "pedestrian crossing" signs, "one way" signs," "roundabout ahead," signs, arrows and more that are meant to direct traffic around the three newly built roundabouts on the highway. Concerns have been raised both about driver confusion and the possibility of excess signage creating an eyesore.
The Common Council will need to make a decision regarding the removal of the signs.
James Bartelt
9:10 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Cost of removing the signs? Some of them are laying down in the median already, plus some of the wooden posts for the signs are warping. Give them time they fall down on their own.