Mile marker sign discrepancies-Cleveland

[jecht]

I love this forum even though I don't post much.

Question: Is it common to have errors in the mileage marker signs on our interstates? I know on 271 in CLE there are at least two errors.
271 is 39.88 miles.
At MM 11, it says there are 32 miles to I-90 (in Richfield, by the valley). It should say 29.
At MM 20, it says there are 22 miles to I-90 (by Twinsburg, right after 82). It should say 20.

Not a big deal, but it's something I've noticed for some time. I can't post desktop photos; otherwise I'd show you.

[jeffandnicole]

It can depend on where they pinpoint the '0' mark.  The mileage distance may be based at the city border; the city center, or a specific exit.

Of course, it can be a sign or placement screwup...placed 2 miles from where it should've been placed, or, obviously, the numbers are just wrong!

[hotdogPi]

It can depend on where they pinpoint the '0' mark.  The mileage distance may be based at the city border; the city center, or a specific exit.

It's distance to I-90, not to a city.

[jecht]

I-271 starts at MM 0 from I-71 in Medina and ends at I-90 in Willoughby Hills. I had talked to ODOT years ago and they said there is no "exit 40" because each county is different.
Thanks guys

[kalvado]

On somewhat similar notice:
we have a VMS which on weekend read "time to I-XX west - say 10 minutes 8 miles" (depends on traffic apparently) - and that is where most of weekend traffic goes.
Same sign on weekday, consistent with commute traffic flow, reads "time to I-XX west - 12 minutes 10 miles"  - 2 miles more. Why? Simple: one ramp is short, the other  is more than a mile total, and longer ramp starts a bit further down the road....

[thenetwork]

I wonder if the mileage difference has to do with the I-90 East exit on the LOCAL lanes versus the EXPRESS lanes.  Technically, I 271 Express does not merge into I-90 East until after the SR-91 exit.

[jecht]

I wonder if the mileage difference has to do with the I-90 East exit on the LOCAL lanes versus the EXPRESS lanes.  Technically, I 271 Express does not merge into I-90 East until after the SR-91 exit.

I thought about that but not sure--only was counting from MM 0 in Weymouth (Medina) by 271/71 merge I love being a road geek

[amroad17]

Those mileages have been there since the 1980's.  Besides, Ohio DOT cannot really figure out how far Erie, PA is either.  At one time (1996), Erie was listed at 122 in Weymouth.  Four years later, Erie is now 118 miles away--even though at mm 11, ten miles away, Erie is listed at 114 miles away (the same one that lists I-90 at 32 when it should be 29). Then, at mm 20, Erie is listed at 109 miles away. 

[jecht]

Those mileages have been there since the 1980's.  Besides, Ohio DOT cannot really figure out how far Erie, PA is either.  At one time (1996), Erie was listed at 122 in Weymouth.  Four years later, Erie is now 118 miles away--even though at mm 11, ten miles away, Erie is listed at 114 miles away (the same one that lists I-90 at 32 when it should be 29). Then, at mm 20, Erie is listed at 109 miles away. 

I remember that sign!

Also, they did change the one at MM 30 (it was 95 miles to Erie, but then it was changed to 93 in 2005 or so)?

They also had a southbound mile sign at MM 30, which had I-71 at 31 miles away!
By memory,
I-480 West 4 (correct, exit 27)
I-480 East 10 (correct, exit 21)
I-71 31 (correct)

In fairness, it would have been between MM 30 and 31 so they probably were lazy. Like the Cavs defense some nights

[amroad17]

jecht, check Google Maps--satellite version--at Exit 12 on I-271 going east on OH 303.  The sign has Erie at 111 miles (fairly correct) and Columbus at 120 miles (wrong, should be 128).  It is right across from where the old Richfield Coliseum used to be.

Yes, until this last sign replacement, Erie was listed at 95 miles.  93 is fairly accurate.  The next one should have had Erie at 88 miles, though.

The Erie numbers should be (going north on I-271) 122, 119, 112, 110, 103, 93, and 88.  And, yes, the Erie number should be 120 at Exit 3 on OH 94.

Ohio usually isn't too bad about mileages.  I-271 northbound seems to be the worst that I have seen in the state.

On a side note, wasn't it odd that there was a venue for the NBA, and Cleveland in particular, that was seemingly in the middle of nowhere?  It would be like having the Indiana Pacers having a venue outside of Shelbyville.  Nothing like going to a game 20-25 miles away (from Akron and Cleveland, respectively) and seeing a farm right across the road!