Variable Message Signs

Variable Message Signs — also called Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) or Changeable Message Signs (CMS) — are the real-time communication backbone of modern highway operations. They warn drivers of incidents, closures, weather hazards, travel times, and AMBER alerts. Ideal Fencing Corp provides the structural and civil infrastructure for VMS installations across Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Utah, New Mexico, Kansas, Wyoming, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, and Nebraska: sign structure fabrication and erection, concrete foundations, power conduit, communication conduit, and equipment cabinet installation. We partner with ITS integrators who handle the electronic sign units and software.

What We Install

**VMS Sign Structures**: The structural support that holds a VMS unit 18 to 22 feet above the roadway. We fabricate and erect full-span overhead structures, cantilever structures, and dedicated VMS mast arms designed for the weight and wind load of electronic sign cabinets. VMS units typically weigh 2,000 to 6,000 pounds — significantly heavier than standard sign panels — requiring structures engineered for both dead load and wind-on-sign aerodynamic loads.

**Foundations**: Drilled shaft foundations for VMS structures are larger than standard sign structure foundations due to the increased loads. Typical VMS foundations are 4 to 8 feet in diameter and 20 to 45 feet deep, with heavy reinforcing steel cages and precision anchor bolt templates. We self-perform foundation drilling with our own equipment.

**Power and Communication Infrastructure**: VMS units require electrical power (typically 120V or 240V single-phase) and communication links (fiber optic, cellular, or dedicated copper). We install the civil infrastructure: power conduit from the nearest service point, communication conduit from the roadside cabinet to the VMS structure, pull boxes, junction boxes, and equipment cabinet pads. We pull power and communication cables through conduit and terminate at the cabinet and junction boxes.

**Equipment Cabinets**: Roadside equipment cabinets house the VMS controller, power distribution, communication equipment, and UPS battery backup. We install cabinet foundations (concrete pads or pier-mounted), set cabinets, and provide the conduit connections between the cabinet and the VMS structure.

ITS Integrator Coordination

We are the structural and civil contractor — not the ITS integrator. The electronic VMS units, controllers, software, and communication systems are provided and installed by the ITS integrator. Our scope ends at the cabinet terminals and structure mounting points. We coordinate closely with the ITS integrator to ensure our civil and structural infrastructure precisely matches the VMS equipment requirements: anchor bolt patterns, conduit entry points, cable pull tension limits, and cabinet mounting details.

DOT ITS Programs

Every state DOT in our territory operates an ITS program that deploys VMS along major corridors. CDOT operates over 200 DMS on Colorado highways. WSDOT, ODOT, ITD, MDT, UDOT, NMDOT, KDOT, WYDOT, KYTC, TDOT, ODOT (Ohio), and NDOT (Nebraska) maintain growing VMS networks. We are on qualified bidders lists for ITS construction in all thirteen states and understand the unique specifications, equipment standards, and documentation requirements of each DOT.

Project Timeline and Investment

A typical VMS installation — from contract through structure erection and civil infrastructure completion — takes 14 to 22 weeks. Foundation installation takes 2 to 4 weeks, structure fabrication 8 to 12 weeks, and erection plus civil work 3 to 6 weeks. ITS integrator work follows our scope by 2 to 4 weeks.

VMS structural and civil installations range from $100,000 to $300,000 per sign location depending on structure type, foundation conditions, and power/communication run distances. This excludes the VMS electronic unit itself (typically $80,000 to $200,000 provided by others). We provide detailed cost breakdowns per DOT bid item format.