Brandon’s Heritage and Heart Reflected in New Highway Signage

Brandon’s heritage, heart and sense of community will soon be an undeniable presence on a number of Manitoba’s roadways with the installation of six new “Welcome” highway signs this summer.

“The journey of planning and designing Brandon ‘Welcome’ signage at the City’s main entrances has been a long and interesting one, but they are now finally ready for installation,” says Sandy Trudel, Brandon’s Director of Economic Development. “Ultimately, the sign size coupled with its impactful, but timeless design conveys to the motoring public that Brandon is a vibrant, full-service urban centre.”

The signs, which have been designed with an earth palette to respect Brandon’s agricultural prosperity and its affinity for nature, feature a graphic and word mark that has been used to market Brandon successfully for many years.

“The linked ‘D’ and ‘O’ in the Brandon word mark symbolizes the sense of belonging that is the most common reason people site for staying or returning to Brandon. It speaks to the importance of community, family and support for one another and the fact that we are stronger together,” Trudel explains. “Meanwhile, the graphic itself can mean different things to different people. Those with ties to agriculture may see an image of wheat or crops representative of Brandon’s history and economy, while those who understand the importance of family and community in Brandon might see people connected in an embrace.”

In total, six signs are being constructed by Ontario-based KING Architectural Products (a Division of WSI Sign Systems Ltd.) and installed by Brandon’s own Cardinal Signs in ditches adjacent to the following roadways:

• Two on Highway #1 (Trans Canada Highway), East and West of Brandon;
• One on Highway #1A (near Kemnay);
• One along Highway #340 (Veterans Way);
• One along Highway #10 North;
• One along Highway #10 South

The two “Gateway” signs on the Trans Canada Highway will be largest of the six, standing approximately 20 feet high by 10 feet wide. The smaller secondary signs on the other roadways will stand approximately 12 feet high by 6 feet wide.

“We’ve had the opportunity to work with some great people in undertaking this highway signage project,” said David Plant with KING Architectural Products. “We know the people of Brandon will be proud of the new signature signs for their City for years to come.”

Trudel said it’s anticipated that all signs should be installed by the end of August, with the exception of the one on Highway 10 North, which will take slightly longer due to some additional engineering requirements.

Funding for the signs was originally placed into a reserve fund in the 2010 budget year by the previous City Council and then approved for use in the 2012 budget year by the current City Council.