DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT: “Military City USA” Signs
SUMMARY:
A briefing on a Council Consideration Request from Councilman Clayton Perry (District 10) to place “Military City USA” signs welcoming people into San Antonio.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On September 6, 2018, Councilman Clayton Perry (District 10) submitted a Council Consideration Request (CCR) on placing signs welcoming people to San Antonio, known as “Military City USA”, at major entrance points on roadways in San Antonio as well as the airport.
ISSUE:
Transportation & Capital Improvements (TCI) conducted a review of the city boundary and our major roadways (highways) entering San Antonio. TCI identified 20 locations where city limits cross a highway. These 20 locations are on roadways managed by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). TxDOT has a formal approval process for installation of this type of roadway signs which are called “City Pride” signs. In addition, TCI identified three potential sign locations for the major exits of the San Antonio International Airport and Stinson Municipal Airport which could likely be placed somewhere within city owned right-of-way.
City Pride Signs are primarily designed for non-controlled access highways such as US or State highways, Farm and Ranch to Market roads, spurs and loops. City Pride Signs are located along highway entrances to the city and are placed 300 to 800 feet from existing city limit signs. A sign may be placed on each highway entering the city. For controlled access highways, such as Interstates, signs are placed on the frontage road. The 20 identified locations are all located on controlled access highways; therefore, the City Pride Signs would need to be located on the frontage roads.
According to TxDOT, costs can range from $100 to $2,000 depending on the sign's size and design. The maximum size is 80 square feet (10 feet wide by eight feet high). In the standard agreement provided by TxDOT to the requestor, required specifications of sign size, location, and any other related sign specification requirements are provided. Funding and installation is the responsibility of the requestor.
ALTERNATIVES:
There are no alternatives associated with this briefing.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact associated with the installation of Military City USA signage is anticipated to be approximately $100,000. Detailed costs will be determined once the exact number, size, and location of signs is determined. According to TxDOT, signs may cost up to $2,000 each and there were 23 potential locations identified. Consultant costs will be incurred associated with preparing the sign designs and location details. Currently no funds have been budgeted for this request; however, funds may be allocated from the redirection of the District 10 Infrastructure Management Program (IMP) or other determined funding sources.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff does not recommend the installation of Military City USA signage at all 23 potential locations. Instead, staff recommends an initial phase at eight key locations with a budget of approximately $40,000.
The recommended locations are as follows:
• San Antonio International Airport at US-281
• San Antonio International Airport at I-410
• Stinson Municipal Airport
• I-10 West
• I-10 East
• I-37 North
• I-35 North
• I-35 South