Through the Bridging the Gap Transportation levy the Seattle Department of Transportation is working to replace those old, faded hard to read street name signs across the city. Crews are focusing on the arterial streets; however as more and more signs are replaced along main thoroughfares they are working to replace signs on residential streets. The new signs are significantly larger and much easier to read – who hasn’t missed a turn on a dark, rainy night because they couldn’t read the sign? At the end of 2011, SDOT crews had installed new street name signs at 6,714 intersections across the city.
Have you ever wondered what happens to those old signs? Seattle Public Utilities, in keeping with their mission of recycling, came up with a creative way to reuse many of the old signs. The signs were built into the entrance wall that greets folks entering the new South Transfer Station in South Park. The project shows a dedication to recycling and a creative use of materials.
Vacant space in your garage? In need of a new piece of art for the living room or your desk at work? You are in luck, Seattle’s old street names signs are available to be purchased. Various signs, named and numbers, are available through the City of Seattle Fleets and Facilities surplus warehouse. They have posted an updated list of available signs which range in price from $5 – 15. Please contact the warehouse directly if you are interested in purchasing a sign.