Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ

[N9JIG]

On the way from Phoenix to Las Vegas the other day I noted a couple white on green US-93 markers on NB US-93 north of Wickenburg AZ. The directional banner as also white on green.

There were 2 sets NB that I noticed, just a few miles north of Wickenburg. I didn't see any matching SB signs but I could have missed them. I was unable to get a pic as it was starting to get dark.

At first i thought it was a resurrection of the old colored route markers AZ used in the past or perhaps something to do with the I-11 project...

Any ideas?

[mwb1848]

Here's a quick pic I snapped a few weeks ago:



It's such a small portion and it's only on the newly reconstructed section so it seems like a contractor's error more than anything else -- but a happy coincidence that green was the color used on US 93 shields once-upon-a-time.

[ModernDayWarrior]

^ I like it! Then again, I liked Florida's differently colored US route shields, too.

[N9JIG]

Well, that verifies that it is in both directions anyway!

[Alps]

Can someone clarify how far north of Wickenburg? I plan to pass through there next year on US 60 and I'll detour if it's within "a few miles" - but that's too vague. The first set would be fine.

[N9JIG]

It was just 5 or 10 miles north, just inside Yavapai County. I think it was very close to the AZ-89 cutoff.

[corco]

That picture looks like it was taken at MP 189, which would be about right https://goo.gl/maps/7xnqgvV8Je42, just as was described.

[jwolfer]

I like it.. I have thought that freeway sections of US highways should have a colored scheme.  Yes I know this section is not freeway.  But seeing the pic shows how the current US 93 is sufficient for Las Vegas-Phoenix no need for I-11

[mwb1848]

I like it.. I have thought that freeway sections of US highways should have a colored scheme.  Yes I know this section is not freeway.  But seeing the pic shows how the current US 93 is sufficient for Las Vegas-Phoenix no need for I-11

I drove this route for the first time a few weeks ago and was left with the exact opposite impression. I-11 is absolutely needed between Phoenix and Vegas. These four-laned sections are a good start. However, there are still many sections which are two-lanes and absolutely need upgrading. Ultimately, this entire corridor needs to be upgraded. So, bring on I-11. 

[N9JIG]

I am with the I=11 crowd. As a resident of the area I-11 is going to be a great boon for me. I live 30 miles from Wickenburg and about 10 miles from the I-10 corridor and it will be great to head to the northwest from here. Phoenix to Las Vegas is a growing corridor and US-93 is getting pretty overtaxed, even in the 4-lane segments. It will also relieve the very busy I-17 to the east.

[pumpkineater2]

It will also relieve the very busy I-17 to the east.

I doubt that once I-11 is completed it will have any effect on I-17 at all, as any traffic that would use interstate 11 is already using US-93, and not I-17. I agree with you though that I-11 is needed in Arizona and I look forward to it becoming reality.

[Alps]

That picture looks like it was taken at MP 189, which would be about right https://goo.gl/maps/7xnqgvV8Je42, just as was described.

Around 10-11 miles north of US 60? OK. Unlikely but possible.

[N9JIG]

OK, so we went out for a Sunday Drive and snapped some decent pics. There are 2 of these sign sets NB, about MP 190 and 188 just north of Wickenburg. I only saw 1 SB in the mirror but we took a different route back so I might have missed others. (https://goo.gl/maps/ZUsfnSP8GVz)

The furthest south sign on the NB side:



The stickers on the back indicate the signs were posted by a contractor; Zumar of Surprise AZ (30 or 40 miles away) in November 2015:



The pavement markings presumably from AZ-DOT to direct the signs. If anyone can interpret these and let us know what they mean I would appreciate it!


A couple miles ahead is the Future I-11 Corridor sign:

[N9JIG]

That picture looks like it was taken at MP 189, which would be about right https://goo.gl/maps/7xnqgvV8Je42, just as was described.

Around 10-11 miles north of US 60? OK. Unlikely but possible.

9.38 miles measured, I would say 10-11 was a pretty good guess!

[roadfro]

The pavement markings presumably from AZ-DOT to direct the signs. If anyone can interpret these and let us know what they mean I would appreciate it!

I think the markings are pointing out the point in that has been circled. These markings are indicative of something on the survey line that was used for constructing the roadway or a feature thereof.

The first bit of text says "15' CL S". This is seeming to indicate 15 feet from centerline (the overlapping 'CL' is survey/engineer shorthand for 'centerline'). The 'S' may indicate 'south side' or something similar – not quite sure on this one.

The "345+00" represents a station on the project survey line. A station represents the distance, usually in 100s of feet, from the beginning of the survey line. (For example, station 285+75.36 would be 28,575.36 feet from the beginning of the survey line.) Typically, engineering drawings will call out the locations of most, if not all, roadway features (signposts, ends of culverts, radius point on a curb, etc.) by station location and distance left or right from the survey line at that station. Note also that the construction survey line is not necessarily the roadway centerline.

[Henry]

Those green US 93 signs are cool! Until I saw them, I used to think that colored US route shields only existed in FL. When were they used in AZ?

And BTW, I'm part of the pro-I-11 crowd!

[N9JIG]

As I understand it they used various colors for US Markers in Arizona back in the 1950's. I don't know if the color was based on direction or route number.

[Alex]

As I understand it they used various colors for US Markers in Arizona back in the 1950's. I don't know if the color was based on direction or route number.

Based upon cardinal direction:

[N9JIG]

So if they were to return to this system the NB markers would be orange and the SB green.

My guess is that it was a contractor error. I don't see AZ-DOT going off the MUTCD for something like this.

[707]

I like it.. I have thought that freeway sections of US highways should have a colored scheme.  Yes I know this section is not freeway.  But seeing the pic shows how the current US 93 is sufficient for Las Vegas-Phoenix no need for I-11

If you travelled the road and heard about how many fatal front ends caused by high traffic, you'd change your mind immediately. It doesn't look like much, until you see 15 semi trucks going over 55 on a two lane road with very few if any shoulders and no passing lane. Then when you try to pass, you're in the opposite direction's lane and front end it with a sedan, get serious thousand dollar medical wounds, angry insurance company policies, lawsuits and the fact you've pretty much shut down all of US 93 from I-40 to Wickenburg for the next two days. We should really be saying, I-11 or some four lane divided highway needs to come faster than it is right now!

[jwolfer]

I like it.. I have thought that freeway sections of US highways should have a colored scheme.  Yes I know this section is not freeway.  But seeing the pic shows how the current US 93 is sufficient for Las Vegas-Phoenix no need for I-11

If you travelled the road and heard about how many fatal front ends caused by high traffic, you'd change your mind immediately. It doesn't look like much, until you see 15 semi trucks going over 55 on a two lane road with very few if any shoulders and no passing lane. Then when you try to pass, you're in the opposite direction's lane and front end it with a sedan, get serious thousand dollar medical wounds, angry insurance company policies, lawsuits and the fact you've pretty much shut down all of US 93 from I-40 to Wickenburg for the next two days. We should really be saying, I-11 or some four lane divided highway needs to come faster than it is right now!

I agree about the 2 Lane highway.. Make it a 4 lane nin freeway, reserve enough ROW for future upgrade, that way it can be finished quicker

[Quillz]

So if they were to return to this system the NB markers would be orange and the SB green.

My guess is that it was a contractor error. I don't see AZ-DOT going off the MUTCD for something like this.

It's also California-style US route shield (or a 1961 cutout shape, I guess). Notice the shield is curvier than the 1970 federal standard.

[kdk]

I noticed these too myself.  They look really out of place but I like them. 

I do know that even though this new section is open, that it's not "officially" done- ADOT opened it but they still have plans to fully pave the top layer and that project would come in the spring.  My only thought was that these were some sort of temporary signs like a work in progress or something.  I guess we'll know if they get changed out in a few months.  Never saw this on any other part of 93 during any of the projects and I travel it regularly.

[kdk]

Drove this route again this past week.  The green signs are gone- were replaced with the standard black/white 93 signs, same as the rest of the highway.  Must have been a contractor error.

[N9JIG]

Drove this route again this past week.  The green signs are gone- were replaced with the standard black/white 93 signs, same as the rest of the highway.  Must have been a contractor error.

Thanks for the update! I am glad I got some shots in before they disappeared.

I would have liked to heard the reason for the screw-up. Did someone from A-DOT make an error on the order? Did the shop read the order wrong? Did the guy masking the signs draw out the wrong material? Was QC taking the day off?