Wyoming's highway crews will have to replace more than 100 road signs in just one corner of the state in the coming year because people like to steal, shoot and paint them, the Wyoming Department of Transportation reports.
“People think our signs are cool and take them,” WYDOT spokesman Cody Beers told Cowboy State Daily on Tuesday.
Along with being a nuisance, the vandalism and theft can also increase the risk for drivers if they can’t read important warnings or directions, Beers said.
“If it's a stop sign that’s damaged it could cause a wreck,” he said.
Beers doesn’t know for sure how much vandalism and missing signs have increased, but it has always been a problem.
Vandalized and destroyed signs make up 11% of the signs being replaced this year, while missing signs make up another 12%, says a WYDOT press release.
Just how much that will cost Wyoming statewide wasn’t available, but the estimate is it will take $14,000 to replace the vandalized and missing signs in just one-third of WYDOT District 5, which covers the northwest corner of the state.
If the other areas of the agency’s five districts have similar costs, that could put the tab for replacing and repairing those damaged signs at about $210,000.
That can add up quickly, Beers said.
“We only have a set amount of dollars to provide services like plowing and construction,” he said.
By The Numbers
Overall, 476 signs have been targeted for replacement or upgrades in the coming year due to being missing, vandalized or peeling and faded, the press release says.
“This leaves less money that could be going to fixing potholes because of unnecessary acts of vandalism,” said Beers.
Acts of vandalism include stickering or spray painting, purposeful damage and shooting signs, which causes threats of its own. One-third of roadway signs are inspected annually in Fremont, Hot Springs, Washakie, Big Horn and Park counties by WYDOT District 5.
Oftentimes, signs need replacing because of sun damage. Seventy-seven percent of inspected signs are faded and/or peeling. Though the percentage of natural decay among signs is more, theft and vandalism adds more “unnecessary” cost for repairs, Beers said.
Beers doesn’t know for sure how much vandalism and missing signs have increased, but said it has always been a steady issue.
The statement says that of the 476 northwest Wyoming signs to be replaced over the next year, 368 (77%) are peeling, faded or have reached the end of their usable lives. Also, 263 (55%) will be new signs and 213 (45%) will be new aluminum overlays.
Along with the damaged and vandalized signs, WYDOT has also recently been replacing the large “Welcome to Wyoming” signs at the major entrances to the state. These signs usually are replaced every eight years or so, and the new signs feature a colorful postcard look with bold scenic photographs from around the Cowboy State.
The old “Welcome to Wyoming” signs will be auctioned off online and are expected to bring thousands of dollars.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol is using “today’s technology” to catch vandals in the act, the statement adds. The agencies also encourage those who see vandalism happening to report it to Wyoming Highways Patrol at 1-800-442-9090.
Someone wanted a misspelled road sign along the Beartooth Highway, so cut it off. (Courtesy Ross Gorman) 
(Cowboy State Daily Staff)
