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Highway Gothic or Clearview?

Debuted in recent years, Clearview font is sweeping the nations highway signs into a new era of type. Featuring a larger lettering scheme with thinner curves and lines, Clearview's creators contest an increased legibility over the decades-old Highway Gothic. FHWA liked it and approved it for use on the nation's highways, with Pennsylvania leading the charge with a full commitment to the implementation of the font in all signing projects state-wide.

The following list is by no means a complete listing and will be updated as observations are made in the field or written in to us. Drop us a note if you view Clearview font in any of the states listed as "no" below. Some of the information below comes from the FHWA MUTCD List of Authorized Requests for Interim Approval. While the font may be approved in the states listed, implementation of the new signs may not have occurred.

For even more on the Clearview phenomenon, see the New York Times article "The Road to Clarity".

Updates (02-17-09: Added changes to various states' use of Clearview from feedback on the AARoads forum.

State Used and where Example
Alabama Yes, Mobile street signs; Interstate bridge identification markers
Mobile 07/17/07
Alaska Yes --
Arizona Yes, Phoenix street signs, all Valley freeways to be converted
Phoenix 01/15/05
Arkansas Yes, on all new Interstate signs
Taken by Robert Lee (07/08/06)
California Yes, though a few exceptions are found: I-5 in Orange County, city street signs
Orange County (01/14/07)
Colorado Yes, Colorado Springs --
Connecticut Yes, being phased in on all assemblies starting with the Merritt Parkway --
Delaware Yes
Taken by I.C. Ligget (06/27/08)
Florida Yes, on OOCEA Roads
Orlando 08/26/07
Georgia No --
Hawaii No --
Idaho Yes --
Illinois Yes, on Interstates initially, nw on state highways and for street signs.
Taken by Kerrie Smith (11/07)
Indiana No --
Iowa Yes, sporadically
Taken by Jeff Morrison (11/20/06)
Kansas Yes Kansas Turnpike
Kentucky Yes, Louisville freeway signs
Taken by Steve Delery (11/07)
Louisiana Yes
Taken by Buford Durr Jr (12/13/08).
Illuminated street signs in south Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish
Maine No --
Maryland Yes, on Interstate signs
Baltimore 12/18/07.
Massachusetts No --
Michigan Yes, being implemented system wide
Taken by Ryan Pooya (05/17/07)
Minnesota No --
Mississippi No --
Missouri Yes, on destination/attractions signs around the KC loop and on street signs in Kirkwood.
Taken by Justin Cozart (03/13/08)
Montana No --
Nebraska No --
Nevada No --
New Hampshire No --
New Jersey Yes, Bridgewater
taken by Rich K (02/08), intersection of Polhemus Lane and East Main Street in Bridgewater.
New York Yes, already in use at La Guardia Airport --
New Mexico No --
North Carolina No --
North Dakota No, except for city of Bismarck --
Ohio Yes --
Oklahoma Yes, implemented statewide.
Taken by Jeff Royston (01/08).
Oregon No --
Ontario Yes, being implemented system wide --
Pennsylvania Yes, being implemented system wide
Waverly (07/04/05)
Rhode Island No --
South Carolina Yes --
South Dakota No --
Tennessee No --
Texas Yes, being implemented system wide
Austin 09/28/07
Utah Yes Signs for Legacy Parkway
Vermont No --
Virginia Yes, on newly installed or replaced signage on all state-maintained routes.
Fredericksburg (01/02/08)
Washington No, except for the city of Kennewick --
Washington, DC No --
West Virginia Yes --
Wisconsin Yes --
Wyoming Yes, extensively on Interstate signage. --

Page Updated February 17, 2009.