Highway designers and landscaping engineers might like the sign structures for their clean and sleek design.

They are new to Northern Nevada and are prominent along the I80 corridor.

But the tubes are here for more than just looks.

Obviously they will hold static as well as dynamic message signs to direct drivers or alert them about road changes ahead.

But there's another reason for the smooth curved tubes.

“ They do also have a deterrent to graffiti to taggers trying to climb the structures,” says Jason Brada from Granite Construction.

Over the last couple of years Nevada's Department of Transportation says it can spend between $20,000 to $30,000 dollars a year on the I80 corridor alone removing graffiti.

It can cost up to a $100,000 dollars to replace a single graffiti laden sign depending upon the size of the sign and the extent of the damage.

A total of 69 tube sign structures will be installed over time, they'll also help display four new dynamic signs along the freeway.

Brada says direction signs will be getting a face lift as well with new letters and a reflective sheeting that needs no external lighting--rather headlights are enough to illuminate them at night.

The new signs and sign structures along the corridor run about $5,000,000.

That's less than 10% of the entire cost of the I80 construction.