Caltrans has begun a $1.2 million project to replace road signs on Highways 1, 9, 17, 41, 46, 101, 135, 156 and 183 in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties, with work to be done overnight and include some lane closures and delays.

Contractor for the $1.2 million project is Peterson-Chase General Engineering of Irvine, Calif., Roadwork is scheduled to be complete by the end of December, weather permitting.

Caltrans spokeswoman, Susana Cruz, explained that the $1.2 million includes the costs of the new signs, which will match the old ones but “updated to new Retro-reflective covering so that they are more visible at night,” she explained. Safeway Sign Co., of Inglewood, Calif., is making the new signs.

Some 200 signs in Dist. 5 (from San Benito to Santa Barbara counties) attached to overpasses, as well large signs mounted on poles that overhang the road will be replaced, but not the exit signs mounted at the side of the roads.

Work will be overnights Sundays 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and Mondays-Thursdays 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., with no work being done on weekends (Fridays-Saturdays). Motorists can expect up to 15-minute delays.

The project “consists of replacing the existing overhead sign panels with new retro-reflective sign panels and turning off the lighting of overhead signs, which will reduce electricity use,” said Cruz.

For more information on this project and for traffic updates on other Caltrans projects in Monterey County, call the SLO Dist. 5 toll free number, 1-831-372-0862 or can see: www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/paffairs/release.htm#mon.