BEVERLY — The city is planning to install about 60 "wayfinding" signs at key locations to point visitors in the direction of the downtown and help them navigate once they get there.
The colorful metal signs will be posted on six major routes into the city — Route 62, Route 1A, Route 22, Route 127, Sohier Road, and at the base of the Beverly-Salem bridge.
Beverly Main Streets, which is assisting the city with the project, unveiled the plan at last week's City Council meeting at City Hall.
"It's a terrific program," Ward 2 Councilor Wes Slate said.
The first phase of the plan will include 42 signs, including "gateway" signs on routes 62 and 1A and directional signs as you approach and reach the downtown.
The signs will point out such locations as "Historic Cabot St.," "Rantoul Street," "Commuter Rail," and "Waterfront" and buildings such as Montserrat College and the public library.
They will also show the location of the four downtown municipal parking lots, which are currently being renovated.
The first phase, which is the major phase, will cost about $100,000, said Gin Wallace, executive director of Beverly Main Streets. The money has been allocated by the city as part of the parking lot improvement program.
The city is expected to put the project out to bid next month, and the signs could start going up in early fall, Wallace said.
A public meeting on the project has been scheduled for May 24 at 5 p.m. at the Beverly Public Library.
Staff writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2675 or by email at pleighton@salemnews.com.
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