By 1808Delaware
Motorists zipping along Cleveland Avenue or parents walking children to school probably rarely notice the thousands of street and traffic signs that quietly keep Westerville moving. Yet each stop sign, speed limit marker, and trail crossing post is a silent guardian of order—and their upkeep is about to get its first comprehensive check‑up.
This spring, the City’s Public Service Department partnered with Midwest GIS to catalog every single traffic sign in Westerville. The goal: build a living digital map that tells crews exactly where each sign stands, what it’s made of, how it’s mounted, and whether it’s still in prime condition.
How the Inventory Works
- Pinpoint Precision: Crews will ride a utility‑terrain vehicle outfitted with GIS receivers and an amber safety beacon, stopping at each sign to log its exact coordinates.
- Materials & Mounts: From retro‑reflective aluminum plates to break‑away steel posts, contractors will record what every sign is made of and how it’s attached.
- Condition Grading: Signs are graded against the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Faded lettering, bent poles, or blocked sightlines are flagged for repair or replacement.
- Digital Dashboard: All data flows into the City’s asset‑management system, giving engineers a real‑time dashboard of Westerville’s traffic‑control network.
The crews hit the streets in mid‑April and expect to wrap up by May 9—just in time for the busy summer construction season.
Why It Matters
- Faster Repairs: With precise locations and condition scores, Public Service teams can dispatch repair crews without time‑consuming field checks.
- Cost Savings: Planned maintenance beats emergency fixes. A small batch of pre‑ordered signs costs far less than rush orders after a storm.
- Enhanced Safety: Up‑to‑date, highly visible signs reduce crash risks for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.
- Regulatory Peace of Mind: MUTCD compliance shields the City from liability and keeps federal funding streams open for future transportation projects.
Four Divisions, One Mission
This project is the latest example of how Westerville’s Street Maintenance, Utilities, Environmental Maintenance, and Fleet Maintenance divisions work in concert. Well‑maintained infrastructure underpins everything from a family’s daily commute to a company’s delivery schedule—making Westerville a magnet for residents and businesses who expect reliability.
Want to Learn More?
Visit the Public Service Department page on the City website to explore interactive maps, see current street projects, or report a sign that needs attention. Because when every sign points the right way, Westerville’s path to a safer, stronger community becomes that much clearer.
Source: City of Westerville; Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
