Sahuarita mayor: Dump metric signage

Sahuarita Mayor Lynne Skelton supports replacing historic kilometer signs along Interstate 19 with mile markers, a project that has been delayed by opposition from Green Valley.

Skelton told the Pima Association of Government Regional Council on Thursday that the town wants the project, which would be funded by $1.5 million in federal stimulus money, to go forward without delay.

Gov. Jan Brewer’s office put it on hold two weeks ago after Green Valley interests opposed it on several grounds. But Skelton said there has been no opposition anyplace else on the nearly 63-mile stretch of freeway.

Kilometer signage is rare in the U.S. and has been in place on Interstate 19 since 1980 as part of a national metric experiment. The state highway department for years has proposed removing the metric signs, but only after federal stimulus money became available has the project moved to the top of the list. Mile markers exist along the interstate but are perpendicular to the road and can’t be seen by drivers.

New signage is required because of stepped-up requirements for reflectivity, and some people have proposed including the distances used on exit signs in both miles and kilometers.

Green Valley leaders oppose the change because of the signs’ unique cultural value and because business owners would face costs to change existing advertising materials if exit numbers change.

Skelton said that as new businesses move into town, they should be able to print their literature with freeway exit numbers that will reflect mileposts, not kilometer markings, and they should not be concerned that exit numbers will change with a future switch from kilometers to miles.

pfranchine@sahuaritasun.com| 547-9738