CODY, Wyo. (AP) — People shooting highway signs are costing Wyoming big money year after year.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation is preparing to replace more than 500 signs on federal highways in Park, Big Horn, Fremont and Teton counties.

Department traffic supervisor Steven Otto says almost 100 of those signs have been shot by some type of firearm. Another 50 or so signs were deliberately damaged in other ways, putting the annual vandalism cost at almost $16,000 for sign materials alone.

WYDOT officials say they only replace signs with two or more bullet holes.

Department spokesman Cody Beers says Wyoming taxpayers end up paying for vandalized road signs because they're funded with state money.

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