Team of three in charge of over 57,000 street signs in Cape Coral

Reporter: Zach Oliveri Writer: Paul Dolan
Published: Updated:
street sign
after street signs get damaged they need to be replaced. (CREDIT: WINK News)

It’s important that street signs stay in good condition because they’re crucial in getting you where you need to go.

In Cape Coral, a team of only three public works employees is responsible for the upkeep of more than 19,000 unique signs, according to the City.

In Cape Coral there are 57,532 street signs, so what happens when you need them repaired and replaced?

It’s not top of mind but street signs get damaged or destroyed all the time. Sometimes vandals are to blame. Other times it’s a car crash. When that happens traffic technicians go to work.

New street signs at the intersection of Coronado Pkwy. and Tower Dr. we’re necessary after a car took them out.

Cape Coral Public Works Director Mike Ilczyszyn says, “this is a common occurrence throughout the city. I mean as cars and drivers, you know, traverse the city and if they swerve to miss an animal, a person or car.”

The more this happens the more signs need to be replaced. In 2021, Cape Coral had to repair and/or replace 11,660 signs. Also in the 2021 fiscal year, 5,367 street signs were fabricated according to the City.

Employee repairing damaged street signs. (CREDIT: City of Cape Coral Government)

“If it’s a single sign like this stop sign here, it can be done in a day,” Ilczyszyn says. “If it’s something like the bridges in the city. That can take months.”

First, a sign tech prints the design. Then the sign starts to take its shape as the tech cuts and peels each letter off. Once the reflective material is then printed it goes on the blank sign.

It’s handed off to a traffic technician and they will remove the damaged sign. The technician then puts the new sign together on the scene, tightening all the bolts.

Ilcyszyn said his team replaces stop signs more than any other. With more development that means the need for more street signs.

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