New Road Signs On I89 - And The Reasons Why ?????

If you drive on Interstate 89, you've probably seen the new road signs. They are part of a Federal Highway Administration Safety Program. The federal government is mandating states to replace all the signs along northern I-91 and I-89.

"The old ones are not easy to see under certain circumstances. At night they don't reflect as well, the type is smaller, the new type face is a little bigger," Vermont Agency of Transportation Communication Director John Zicconi said.

But do drivers in Vermont think the road project is necessary? That depends on who you ask. Some drivers say as it gets dark, the current signs are almost impossible to see.

"It's hard for me to see the signs at night, and when it is raining or when there are storms, it's also very hard to see so if there was some reflection it would be way easier for me to see," Vermont driver Lisa Tancredi said.

And that's what the new signs are, reflective to make them more visible in bad weather and at night. The entire I-89 project will cost just under $7 million, and will be funded 100% by federal funds. But not everyone sees this as a good investment.

"I'm sure they can use $7 million better elsewhere," Vermont driver Eric Hanson said.

But Vermont Transportation leaders say they don't have a choice. If it doesn't comply, the federal government can stop giving Vermont Transportation funds altogether.

"This is a mandate from the federal government, congress supports this, so we're just doing what we have to do in the deadline that was given to us," Zicconi said.

The northern part of I-91 is completed. The deadline for the I-89 project is 2015.