New welcome signs could be installed on highways entering the Thompson Nicola Regional District by 2024.

TNRD Community Services Coordinator Sherri Madden says the regional entrance sign project is a project from the board, which is now ready to move forward.

That process includes, seeking permits from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTi) to install five of these signs in the district.

“There are five locations chosen within the Regional District at this point in time where you enter the Regional District on main highways,” she said. “We will be building them on highways right of way.”

The locations the TNRD is exploring and requesting permitting for from MoTi include Highway 5 near Albreda, Highway 1 south of Lytton, Highway 97 between Westwold and Falkland, Highway 97 north of 70 Mile House, and Highway 1 northeast of Chase.

“There is $63,000 allocated to this project for this year,” added Madden.

Once MoTi approves permitting, Madden says the district will move forward with the implementation phase.

A TNRD Spokesperson says the project is still in the early stages, noting a final design for the new welcome signs has not been approved and signage is not expected to be in place until 2024.