A public staircase in the Lower Quarter was temporarily closed after overnight rain left several steps covered in water. Maintenance crews cleared the drains and checked the handrails. The warning sign at the top of the stairs was carried away by running water. Workers replaced it. The sign escaped again.
It has now been tied to the railing. A child watching the maintenance crew suggested tying a second sign to the first so they could keep each other company. Street Works rejected the proposal on the grounds that signs do not require companionship and, more importantly, two signs would still be wet.
City officials confirm this is not standard procedure for signs but was considered necessary. Pedestrians are using the next passage until the stairs dry. One resident asked whether the tied sign means the stairs are dangerous or the sign is dangerous. Officials answered: “Yes.” Normal access is expected later today. The sign remains under observation.

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