Would you give up seven billboard structures to gain one? That’s what Interstate Outdoor is proposing in Bristol Township, PA as they were granted variances by the Bristol Township Zoning Hearing Board related to size and other issues to update its billboards along Route 13 in the township. The seven existing structures are double-sided structures, all 50-60 years old and next to each other on State Route13. Interstate is offering to take down those structures for a permit to put in one two-sided digital structure on the same stretch of road. The seven structures are all along a roadway and the Amtrak Northeast Corridor tracks.
Here is an exhibit of the proposal showing the seven existing boards and the proposed new location on the opposite side of Route 13.
With the initial board approval, they can move on to finalize with approvals still needed from the Bristol Township Council and a permit from PennDOT.
Insider’s Take: I will admit as I read the headline my initial reaction was 7 structures and 14 static faces seemed like a big commitment to gain two digital faces. As I continued reading the article at LevittownNow.com it began to make more sense given the age of the structures and learning that Interstate has had issues gaining access to the existing structures and that the new structure would be across the road.
What do you think? Would you give up 14 static faces to gain a new two-sided digital? You can let us know by either writing a comment below or email me at johnweller@billboardinsider.com.
To receive a free morning newsletter with each day’s Billboard insider articles email info@billboardinsider.com with the word “Subscribe” in the title. Our newsletter is free and we don’t sell our subscriber list.
Paid Advertisement
Railroad leases are expensive and year to year. I would think Interstate secured an easement or purchased the land where the new digital will go. Losing 14 static faces but gaining 16 digital spots is a push. Digitals have their own maintenance problems from time to time, where statics do not.
Interstate is a smart operator and I’m sure they made the right decision.
I wouldn’t give up 14 statics, no.
As a printer, I say NO! 🙂
after a few minutes with Google Maps Street View, I can see why they’re giving up a group of blighted stacked 8 sheets and old 30 sheets. They’re hemmed in by a railroad fence and very limited roadway access. Lighting is broken. Ads are faded and torn. So it appears these faces are difficult to sell as well as access. Only one sign appears to have paying copy on it in the current june 2023 google street view . Trading these old uglies for a new digital is a no brainer. Good call.
The graffiti tagging community however will be at a loss of the blank canvases.
After catching up on this news, I researched the area where Interstate would propose building the new back-to-back digital. It is on cemetery property, which is zoned residential under the Bristol Township zoning map. How can the township spot zone, or did they have an off-premise sign built on residential land? Amtrak crossing fees are ridiculous, not to mention the lease terms. However, PA has to uphold federal regulations, and the sign must sit on commercial or industrial property and be identified on the local municipality’s zoning map. I was not able to upload the snip-it of the zoning map but the land the cemetery sits on is zoned R-2