Conceived through a partnership of Allegheny College and the Center for Environmental and Economic Development, the garden of flowers began blooming in April 2001, said PennDOT Maintenance Manager Jack Molke.

"The kids (Allegheny College students) did a lot of the work. They cut out templates and had our welder here help attach them to the poles," Molke said.

PennDOT welder Randy Calvin assisted the students in planting the garden, which took more than three months to complete.

The garden consists solely of recycled street signs, bolted and welded to stainless-steel poles. The students used those few materials, mixed with a lot of creativity, to create the masterpiece.

"We've gotten a lot of positive comments from the flowers," said Molke. "It is really different and that is what people like. It's a real class act."

Molke added that the project will remain in the side, front yard of the PennDOT office as long as possible.

"We hope to add to it in the future and run the garden down the highway, constantly enhancing and improving on it," said Molke. "It truly adds to the gateway to Meadville," he said.