Step into the Provincial Sign Shop in Tignish, and the first thing you notice is the steady clatter of tools and the hum of printers at work.
The work done here touches every corner of Prince Edward Island. Whether it’s a sign for a busy area of the province or a small community, the goal is always the same – clarity and safety.
The handiwork of the shop’s six-person team helps drivers on the Island obey speed limits, navigate construction zones, and find their way to popular tourist destinations.
Each year, the shop produces upwards of 15,000 signs, from simple stop signs to large directional boards guiding travelers across the province.
“We do all the highway signage Island-wide, as well as interdepartmental work,” explains sign shop supervisor Leanna A’Hearn. “We also handle signs for other government departments, not just Transportation and Infrastructure. Even most of the nameplates for provincial government employees are done here, and we make about 600 a year.”
The Tignish shop opened in 1992, and A’Hearn has been there from the start. She’s witnessed sign-making evolve over the years, from using more eco-friendly materials like water-based paint to much faster production times.
“If we get an order in the morning, we could have the sign out by later that same morning,” she says.
Of course, some orders come in large numbers. Each winter, the shop produces upwards of 1,000 plow markers. Summer construction keeps staff equally busy.
Every sign starts with an order from a government department. The reflective graphics are printed in the shop and carefully applied to pre-cut, pre-drilled aluminum blanks.
Accuracy is key, as the adhesive is strong, and there’s only one chance to place it correctly. Once complete, the signs are either picked up by the respective department or stored in the shop. Common signs, like speed limits or stop signs for western PEI, remain in Tignish, while others are kept at the government garage on Brackley Point Road, in Charlottetown.
With 33 years of experience, A’Hearn knows how to make signs that withstand PEI’s sun, salt, and snow, all while meeting national standards.
“The signs we make typically last between 10 and 15 years,” she says.
And while the work may seem behind-the-scenes, it’s not without recognition.
“We sometimes get school tours here, and the kids are always impressed,” A’Hearn says with a chuckle.
The Provincial Sign Shop is a division of the provincial government’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure.