PLANNING ON PUTTING IN BOTOX, BUT THEY’RE WAITING ON PERMITS. >> AND A NONDESCRIPT BUILDING IN CAPE CORAL. THERE IS A WORKSHOP THAT IS SAVING YOU MONEY. THE CITY CAN MAKE AN REPLACE ANY STREET SIGN IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. 8 USED TO TAKE WEEKS. NEW AT 6, THE GULF COAST REPORTER SARAH MAKE WHICH WENT TO THE SIDE SHOP TO FIND OUT HOW THIS CRUCIAL AFTER A STORM. >> SIGNS SIGNS AND MORE IN CAPE CORAL. YOU SEE SIGNS, EVERYONE. THIS IS THE WAREHOUSE HERE FOR THE SIDE FOR THE CITY OF CAPE CORAL WHERE WE KEEP ALL OF OUR PREFABRICATED PREACH OLD SIDELINES. BUT THE ONE SIDE YOU WON’T SEE IS OUT FRONT OF THIS WAREHOUSE. >> THIS IS WHERE THE CITY STORES AND MAKES ITS OWN SITE. >> THIS WOULD BE A SCHOOL SCHOOL ZONE HERE BEGINS AS A BLANK. SLATE YIELD SIGN? PRETTY DRILLED. READY TO GO. FABRICATOR. JASON’S WILL LINK UP BRINGS TO LIGHT. THOSE ARE WHAT WE USED TO PUT OUR MATERIAL ON TO CREATE TRAFFIC THIS IS THE INSIDE OF OUR SIZE SHOP. ONCE HIT, SEND ON THE COMPUTER, A LOT OF OUR SIGNS WE ALREADY HAVE FILES FOR. THAT’S WHERE IT ALL COMES TOGETHER. ALL I HAVE TO DO IS HIT. SEND HERE. >> FOR THAT SIGN, MAYBE 4 OR 5 MINUTES TO COMPLETE FROM THE PRINTER ELIMINATED PROTECT THE CHEATING ON ASSIGNMENT. THANK YOU. SIGNED BY. WATCH YOUR FINGERS. >> FULLY FABRICATED TRAFFIC SIGN. >> HAVING ALL THIS DONE LOCALLY IS BETTER FOR YOUR WALLET. FOR THEM TO DESIGN FABRICATE IT. >> SHIP IT AND THEN SAVE US MONEY IN THE LONG RUN THROUGH BECAUSE WE’RE NOT HAVING TO PAY ALL THAT EXTRA COSTS HAVE PLUS, THEY CAN GET SIGNS OUT A LOT FASTER, NOT WAITING ON FABRICATION FROM ANOTHER WAREHOUSE SHIPPING TIME. YOU KNOW, IT’S IF THEY NEED IT TODAY THEY CAN HAVE IT IN 15 MINUTES. THAT SPEED IS CRUCIAL. NOT JUST FOR EVERYDAY USE OR EVENTS, BUT ESPECIALLY AFTER HURRICANE AFTER THAT STORM PASSES. IT’S ALL HANDS ON DECK AND. >> AND LET’S GET ROCK’N’ROLL. WA
Check out how Cape Coral makes its own traffic signs and how it saves you money
Updated: 8:42 PM EDT Apr 30, 2026
The City of Cape Coral makes its own traffic signs locally, starting with prefabricated, pre-drilled blanks, to save money and provide faster service. “A lot of our signs, we already have files for on hand, so we can go right to here and grab it from there,” said Jason Smolinka, a sign fabricator for the city.Once the design is sent from the computer, the printer lays down the ink, and the laminator and metal machine complete the fabrication process. Having the signs made locally saves you money. “For them to design it, fabricate it, ship it, this saves money in the long run, too, because we’re not having to pay all that extra cost to have that done,” Smolinka said. The local production also ensures faster delivery of signs, which is crucial for traffic management. “It benefits our traffic tremendously because you’re not waiting on fabrication from another warehouse, shipping time. If they need it today, they can have it in 15 minutes,” Smolinka said. This speed becomes even more critical after hurricanes, when damaged signs need immediate replacement. “After that storm passes, it’s all hands on deck, and let’s get rock and roll,” Smolinka said.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
The City of Cape Coral makes its own traffic signs locally, starting with prefabricated, pre-drilled blanks, to save money and provide faster service.
“A lot of our signs, we already have files for on hand, so we can go right to here and grab it from there,” said Jason Smolinka, a sign fabricator for the city.
Once the design is sent from the computer, the printer lays down the ink, and the laminator and metal machine complete the fabrication process.
Having the signs made locally saves you money.
“For them to design it, fabricate it, ship it, this saves money in the long run, too, because we’re not having to pay all that extra cost to have that done,” Smolinka said.
The local production also ensures faster delivery of signs, which is crucial for traffic management.
“It benefits our traffic tremendously because you’re not waiting on fabrication from another warehouse, shipping time. If they need it today, they can have it in 15 minutes,” Smolinka said.
This speed becomes even more critical after hurricanes, when damaged signs need immediate replacement.
“After that storm passes, it’s all hands on deck, and let’s get rock and roll,” Smolinka said.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.