New signs bookend the Route 422 repairs.
ROYERSFORD PA – Signs proclaiming that federal stimulus money is at work in the current repair of U.S. Route 422, and in infrastructure projects elsewhere across the state and nation, are being erected as quickly as possible “to make it easier for Americans” to know where billions of dollars in economic recovery funds are being spent, according to the federal Highway Administration.
Two such signs – 7-feet wide by 5-feet high, with white lettering on a dark green background – were erected about two weeks ago on the south side of the eastbound lane of 422 near the Royersford-Trappe exit ramp, and on the north side of the westbound lane near the Collegeville-Phoenixville ramp at Route 29.
“PROJECT FUNDED BY THE American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,” (ARRA) they announce.
The signs serve as bookends on the 4-1/2-mile stretch of 422 where, on May 21 (2009), the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said it was spending $12.2 million of stimulus money. Estimates put the signs’ cost, depending on size (there also is a 10-foot by 8-foot version), at about $1,000 or more apiece.
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Despite the glad tidings they offer, not everyone is happy about the signs. Read a companion story here about criticisms they’ve attracted.
Under the project, PennDOT crews and contractors will remove areas of the highway’s broken concrete pavement, pour new concrete patches, and resurface the concrete pavement with asphalt. They also will repair 12 bridges; repair ramps at the Route 29 and Royersford interchanges; install safety rumble strips on roadway shoulders; clean existing pipe culverts; and install new guide rail, reflective pavement markers, and Intelligent Transportation System conduit.
A document that the Highway Administration labels as “sign guidance,” last updated April 21, notes that President Obama in March “made the commitment” to ensure all projects paid for in whole or part by Recovery Act funds bore an emblem that could be readily identified by the public. The Highway Administration wrote that it “strongly encourages agencies to use the economic recovery signs.”
The Recovery Act emblem itself is 30 inches wide by 30 inches high, representing 6-1/4 square feet, according to sign details provided by the administration. The recommended signs on which the emblems are mounted, on the other hand, are 35 square feet … 5.6 times larger than the logos themselves.
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