Roadway Signs Being Upgraded

Upgraded Traffic Signs Being Installed on San Juan Island
In mid-January, San Juan County Public Works will begin installing new Regulatory and Warning signs on San Juan Island’s county roads. Regulatory signs include Stop, Yield, and Speed Limit signs. Warning signs include Turn/Curve, Pedestrian Warning, School Bus Stop Ahead, and Chevron signs.

Why do we need new traffic signs?
These signs are being installed as part of a mandated federal program to improve safety by replacing traffic signs nationwide with more reflective signs. Increasing reflectivity is important because most accidents occur at night. The “Run-Off Road and Intersection Safety Project – Sign Replacement Program” is a federally funded grant program that will bring the County into compliance with sign standards. These standards increase awareness at the most accident prone sites and critical areas, create consistency in sign placement and usage, and increase sign visibility for older drivers and nighttime driving.

Why are there paint marks on the pavement and lath on the road shoulders?
Before installing new signs, all utilities must be located to make sure that none of them are hit when the sign posts are driven into the ground. This requires placing a lath where the sign is to be installed and spray painting white locate marks on the road shoulder. The various utilities use orange, red, blue and green paint to indicate where their facilities are located. That is why there are so many marks on the road.

When will all the signs be installed?
Installation is expected to last for approximately one month and is being carried out by County personnel. Please be considerate of the workers, don’t disturb the stakes or paint marks and drive safely and slowly through the work zone.

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