Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Signage topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves $90,000 transfer to replace about 2,800 regulatory signs citywide
Summary
Allentown City Council on March 19 approved a $90,000 transfer to replace regulatory traffic signs that a recent assessment rated in poor condition. Staff said the count of signs rated poor is about 2,800 — roughly 9% of the city's inventory.
Allentown City Council approved a $90,000 intra‑department transfer on Wednesday to replace regulatory traffic signs citywide after a recent condition assessment identified 2,800 signs in poor condition.
City staff told council the assessment covered regulatory signs such as stop signs, one‑way signs, do‑not‑enter signs and no‑parking signs. Staff reported that 65 percent of the city's signs are in good condition, 25 percent are fair and 9 percent — about 2,800 signs — are rated poor, with an estimated replacement cost of $90,000.
During the meeting council members and residents asked how the signs would be distributed and whether specific neighborhoods — including the South Side — would receive attention. A member of the public urged council to ensure replacements in South Side neighborhoods where truck routing problems persist; staff responded that the department has previously installed truck restriction and no‑parking signs in some locations and will check the condition and need for additional signage.
Why it matters: Clear, legible regulatory signs are a basic traffic‑safety feature. The city assessment and funded replacement program are intended to reduce confusion for drivers and protect pedestrians and neighborhood traffic flow.
Details from the record
- Scope: Regulatory signs (stop, no‑parking, one‑way, do not enter, school/children warning signs) were included in the assessment. - Inventory findings: 65% good, 25% fair, 9% poor (2,800 signs rated poor). - Cost: $90,000 to replace the signs rated poor; staff estimated that replacement would address those 2,800 signs.
Next steps
The traffic department will schedule replacements and follow standard procurement and installation procedures; council asked staff to consider equitable distribution of replacements and to review problem spots called out by the public, including truck routing on Barnes Lane.
Ending
The resolution passed unanimously. Council members characterized the expenditure as a necessary maintenance investment.
