The city of Joplin funded by the 4% lodging tax is spending $53,000 to replace 37 signs that now are non-compliant with Federal Highway Standards.

Signs that are part of a Wayfinder System originally manufactured by the city of Joplin in 2009 that point motorists to Joplin's districts, including Downtown Historic, Hotel, Range Line Retail and Sports, will have to be replaced because they lack new safety features instituted in June of 2012.

According to Patrick Tuttle, director of the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau, the sponsoring department for the signs, the current signs lack "retroreflectivity"-- the signs must be adequately visible at night, or "have the same intensity of light reflexion both day and night."

An additional $30,000 is being earmarked for a smaller version of the sign that will be installed to direct motorists along Joplin's portion of the original Route 66. The traditional blue Historic By-Way signs will be placed in a bracket system similar to the style used in the primary Wayfinder signs. Not only will this enhance the image of Route 66 within the Joplin city limits, it will also provide continuity with the large system, Tuttle reported.

The new signs will be installed starting February 27, 2015.

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