Replacing metric signs - Way to the hell The state Transportation Department is getting ready to spend $1.5 million replacing metric signs along Interstate 10 with mileage signs, to the chagrin of some businesses along the highway. The state plans to use federal stimulus money to replace the signs, which it previously planned to replace as the signs wore out. The signs marking kilometers instead of miles were first installed in the early 1980s when I-19 and a handful of other roads were signed in metric as the country considered a full conversion. That conversion hasn’t happened.

As part of a regular review of signage on state roads, the department has determined it’s time to replace the 60 miles of signage between Interstate 10 and Mexico on I-19. “The department is continually looking at the age of signs,” said Linda Ritter, spokeswoman for the Arizona Department of Transportation. “We place replacement priorities where signage is aging. This signange has been deemed a priority.” That designation happened before the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding was available. “The signs have served their useful life,” Ritter said. There are new state law requirements for visibility and reflectiveness and the new signs will meet those needs, she said. But some aren’t happy about the switch. The Green Valley Community Coordinating Council wrote a letter to Governor Jan Brewer in late March, urging her to stop the project. "These signs that were installed some 30 years ago contribute to the history of the area when conversion to the metric system was being considered," wrote Stan Riddle, president of the Green Valley Community Coordinating Council. "The residents in the Greater Green Valley area find them a unique point of conversation with both friends and visitors and the vast majority of residents have no objection to them," the letter says. The letter says directions are usually given based on exit number and travel time, but the word "metric" doesn't enter the conversation. "There were many complaints when the signs originally were put in, apparently. We continually get complaints from motorists throughout the year," Ritter said. One point of confusion is trying to figure out how long a trip will take with a speed limit posted in miles and distances posted in kilometers, she said. "It's confusing to people, especially if they're new to the area." The letter from the Green Valley Community Coordinating Council says businesses will have to spend money in an already difficult economic climate on redoing promotional materials. But another business closer to Tucson isn't as worried about the impact of new exit numbers. DeSarno Jewelers is in the Tucson Spectrum shopping center at I-19 and West Irvington Road. "I don't think it's going to change anything," said Richard Sarnocinski, member manager of the jewelry store. He said the shopping center's visibility from the highway will help, and that construction on the highway is harder for businesses to get through than signage changes. For at least two years, the exit signs will be marked with both mileage and kilometers, Ritter said. Most businesses reasonably replace their marketing materials during a two-year period, Ritter said. "In addition, there's a lot of growth in the area, and maps are needing to be changed anyway," she said. The Green Valley Community Coordinating Council recommends the money be spent in other ways. "It seems like something that didn't need to be done nearly as bad as some work done in I-19," said Sandra Stone, chair of the council's traffic and arroyos committee. An area of asphalt is eroding on northbound I-19 near the Pima Mine exit, Stone said. "We should be spending the stimulus money in more important ways," she said. The council says in its letter that if the project absolutely must continue, the department should provide some funding to the businesses to update signs, advertisements and other promotional materials. Ritter said there are no plans to provide business-assistance funding for this project. Contact reporter Andrea Kelly at 573-4243 or akelly@azstarnet.com.

source: http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/290307.php