Those familiar blue Cowley County road signs may soon be a thing of the past.
The removal of the road markers will be discussed by Cowley County commissioners when they meet in regular session at 9 a.m. Tuesday on the first floor of the county courthouse.
The road markers identified county roads when they were still called, for example, “Cowley 1” or “Cowley 2.” Green street signs became the norm once the 911 emergency telephone system was in place.
Even as the street names changed, the old signs have remained.
Some residents still refer to the county road identification signs but emergency responders use the street names.
“They say (the county road signs) create confusion for people referring to the marker in lieu of using the 911 address,” said county administrator Leroy Alsup.
County Engineer Dale Steward said he believes concerns by several rural fire departments initiated the request from the 911 committee to remove the blue markers to avoid any confusion by someone giving directions to an emergency.
He estimated there are approximately 100 county road markers, which are actually considered directional advisories.
“I’m sure it will fall to us if the commissioners decide to remove them,” Steward said.
The department is required to drive roads monthly or by-monthly and record what signs are in place. It’s more of a liability consideration than a regulatory requirement, he said.
One man is assigned to the sign inspections and could remove the road markers as he inventories other signs, according to Steward.
The county road and bridge department is responsible for 300 miles of blacktop roads, 42 miles of gravel roads, 250 bridges and the disposal of municipal solid waste.
Commissioners are also scheduled Tuesday to consider the county extension council and county conversation district proposed 2008 budgets and the current financial picture of the Council on Aging.
County commission meetings are open to the public.
