The instances of graffiti being found on state highways grew in 2017, and the cost to remove the illegal paintings did as well.
From 2014 to 2017, graffiti reports grew from 47 to 137 for each year. Costs vary, but removing one tag from a highway sign or concrete is a minimum of about $350, according to TDOT spokesperson Kathryn Schulte.
"The larger ones can be about $1,000 a job," said Schulte. "It really depends on what's involved. Sometimes it's not just paint. Sometimes you have to sandblast. When you're talking about overhead signs, we have to put in new sign sheeting. We have to replace the shields on the sign."
The most popular places to find tags are on the backs of highway signs, on the center median, and on retainer walls near bridges. Sometimes these signs are suspended over the highway, which means whoever painted it climbed the sign to get there.
"Some of the places people get to seem quite dangerous to me," said Schulte.
Dangerous and illegal, painting highway objects is a misdemeanor vandalism depending on how much damage was done.
"Especially if the graffiti is vulgar, we do just try and get that covered up as quickly as possible. Even if the paint doesn't necessarily match the paint that's on there. It is a priority for us to get that covered up," said Schulte.
Anyone who sees graffiti should call TDOT at 615-350-440, but the main goal is to catch people actively painting graffiti. Schulte has suggested people call police in such a case.
