By Jeanette Johnson
Staff Writer

WORLAND — It didn’t take long for the city crew to react to approval by the Worland City Council to install stop signs on either side of Big Horn Avenue. The council made the unanimous decision during the regular Monday night meeting.

By Tuesday, Jeff Taylor and Ruben Garcia had already rounded up the equipment and headed for four intersections along Robertson Avenue and the corners on Coburn and South 12th Street.

Armed with shovels, level, poles and a mixture of cement, the two set to work doing the preparation work before the signs can be attached, signaling the motorists they have to stop for north and south traffic at those particular corners.

The decision was made following several years of inspection and continuing concerns over traffic safety issues. Councilman Jerry Alexander was a strong proponent for the project.

Following Monday night’s decision, Mayor Sonny Shearer turned to Alexander and said, “You got your signs.” Alexander responded with a wide smile and said, “It took long enough!”

At the site, Taylor said the weather has been a big factor in allowing the crew to get the work done at this time of the year. The unusually warm temperatures and lack of snow aided the project.

“Once the frost sets in, we can’t dig,” he said.

So the project is well ahead of the time line, thanks to the mild temperatures in a Wyoming December.

Taylor explained the holes have to be dug deep enough to support the poles that are inserted two or three feet before the cement is poured. Once the concrete sets up, the remainder of the pole and the familiar red and white octagonal signs are screwed into place.

Taylor expects the signs to be up by next week if not before.