MONROE — The city is embarking on the last phase of a push to replace all city street signs with newer, more modern signage made from durable materials.

That has meant two phases of the massive project, starting in 2021, in which about 180 old, mostly wooden signs have been swapped out for the newer, high-visibility signs that meet stringent national traffic and safety standards. The city did about 180 more sign replacements the next year, in 2022, officials said.

During its Sept. 11 Common Council meeting, city officials were told that the end of the sign project was near: The final, roughly 100 signs will be replaced this year, according to Kyle Klopfenstein, of the city’s public works department. 

“Current street name signs are badly faded and are not in suggested compliance with the (national sign code),” the council was told, in a memo from public works detailing the last phase of the project and a funding request for just under $28,000 to get it done. “The current signs are 6” X 24”. Guidelines suggest going to a larger 9” X 24” minimum for visibility reasons.”

The new signs are noticeably easier to read and enhance the look of the town, officials agreed, and approved the project with a unanimous vote.

“Every new sign in town will be new,” said Klopfenstein. 

In a committee discussion of the phase-three sign proposal, Ald. Andrew Kranig wondered what would be done with all the old signs. Some people in town might be interested in those for nostalgia, collecting and for Monroe-related projects, he said.

Klopfenstein said the city still has most of the old signs, some of which can be used in an emergency, such as an accident that takes out a major sign in town. The rest of them are collecting dust, apparently.

“I don’t know if we have a plan for them but they are there,” said Klopfenstein.