The puzzling starts in late spring or early summer, timed so Suffolk can get all the necessary components for a complete refurbishment and a new steel truss system to support the sign in place before the dismantling, ideally minimizing down time for the 60-ft-by-60-ft LED icon that serves as a welcome to the final mile of April’s Boston Marathon and is visible from historic Fenway Park.

“The objective for us is to get any and all materials right after the marathon,” Lucey says, adding they plan “to basically keep the sign as identical to the way it sits today.”

Moving the sign to make way for redevelopment returns it to its original view corridor over the Boston skyline. During the process, crews will dismantle every element of the structure, including the 11-ft-tall letters, and digitally model each piece so they can put it back together.

Lucey says that with any refurbishment project there are unknowns going in, meaning the project could take “a few months or a few months longer,” although the goal is to get the sign back up as quickly as possible to limit unlit time.

While the project overall is “super straightforward,” Lucey says the main challenges come in working within a dense urban area while trying to minimize disruptions to public traffic, any unknowns in the refurbishment and the complex puzzle of reconstructing the sign piece-by-piece, which is why the digital twin of the sign proves paramount in the process.

The refurbishment process could be as simple as cleaning but may also require reconstruction of component to make sure crews can mimic the way the sign looks today. Some parts may not be salvageable and require replacement. “The goal and the direction is to try to reuse as much as possible,” he says.

The sign was first installed in 1940 as the Cities Service Sign and reinstalled in 1965 as part of the introduction of the Citgo marketing brand. “The Citgo Sign is a beloved treasure for Kenmore Square and residents across Boston,” says Boston Mayor Michaelle Wu.

The Federal Highway Administration and the Massachusetts Dept. of Transportation both included the sign on the list of those lawfully in existence prior to the adoption of the Highway Beautification Act of 1965, preserving the sign’s place in Boston.

“The Citgo Sign has long stood as a visual and cultural anchor for Kenmore Square and the city of Boston,” said Karl Schmidt, vice president of supply and marketing at Citgo Petroleum. “With the federal and state exemptions in hand, Citgo is thrilled to take this final step in the redevelopment process of this iconic site.”

Lucey says that with continued maintenance on the sign, they know it is structurally sound, but that “we don’t know everything, for sure.” Even with harsh New England weather, the sign has held up, but crews need to make sure it can last for decades to come.

Suffolk will raise the sign, making it more visible, and plan to reuse only components of the sign. That means a new structural steel support will house the refurbishment. As an illuminated sign, Suffolk will employ experts to create new electrical connections.

“The Citgo Sign has long served as an iconic landmark for Boston residents and visitors of Boston,” says Gov. Maura Healey. “This repositioning will ensure that the Citgo Sign remains visible in our skyline for generations to come.”