Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles

[dbz77]

Here is an example from Anaheim in 1959.

https://goo.gl/maps/q4N6opWENk7iZT7w6

I wonder why traffic signals in southern California are no longer mounted on wooden utility poles. I never seen one personally, so I guess the practice stopped around the 1960's.

[Big John]

Near Appleton WI: https://goo.gl/maps/rgEwnN1qqVNWQBUL8

[kphoger]

Here is an example from Anaheim in 1959.

https://goo.gl/maps/q4N6opWENk7iZT7w6

I wonder why traffic signals in southern California are no longer mounted on wooden utility poles. I never seen one personally, so I guess the practice stopped around the 1960's.

What am I missing?  I don't see any traffic signals mounted on wooden utility poles in that GSV.

[steviep24]

Here's one I know of in Rochester, NY. That one may be the last signal left that's mounted on wooden poles in the city.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1594791,-77.6541578,3a,75y,188.25h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sxZQ3NOlakV5a-TsJ7oQmQA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en&authuser=0

Also, it is common in my area for beacons to be mounted on span wire strung from wooden poles.

EDIT: Looks like this signal may be removed soon as this intersection was recently converted to an all way stop.

[dbz77]

Here is an example from Anaheim in 1959.

https://goo.gl/maps/q4N6opWENk7iZT7w6

I wonder why traffic signals in southern California are no longer mounted on wooden utility poles. I never seen one personally, so I guess the practice stopped around the 1960's.

What am I missing?  I don't see any traffic signals mounted on wooden utility poles in that GSV.

Try this.

https://www.davelandweb.com/entrance/images/50s/Drall_SignMonorail50s.jpg

[steviep24]

This is at the intersection of Flatbush and Ave. U that was discussed in this thread. One of the mast arms is attached to a wooden utility pole.

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.609753,-73.9226955,3a,75y,156.03h,78.86t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7adKAhPTgCuTlqfzL5WY2g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

EDIT TO ADD: I found other intersections in NYC with signals attached to wooden utility poles so it must be a common practice there outside of Manhattan.

[Ian]

It's fairly common to come across span-wire signals hung off wooden utility poles around Maine.

[Brandon]

Common for temporary signals in Illinois, no matter how long said temporary signals are in place (years, decades?).
https://goo.gl/maps/gYCJN8Pok2K8xFW2A
https://goo.gl/maps/HnUPXxddmKSqAFBQ9
https://goo.gl/maps/hK78avcMUcaxnFVv8 (since replaced)
https://goo.gl/maps/xaSbMGfSeo2J2CqH8 (temporary signals with permanent signals covered up for construction)
https://goo.gl/maps/FqmjdTe65UrmD2YUA (during construction)

[roadman65]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/48384458012/in/album-72157635265627400/
On La 1 where it interchanges with I-49.

NC and SC use these quite regular in their states, so its not  completely uncommon.

[kphoger]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/48384458012/in/album-72157635265627400/
On La 1 where it interchanges with I-49.

NC and SC use these quite regular in their states, so its not  completely uncommon.

Is that a utility pole, though?  I don't see any other utilities hooked up to it.

[bcroadguy]

There are a few older mast arms mounted on wooden utility poles in and around Victoria BC:

https://www.google.ca/maps/@48.4311161,-123.3645317,3a,41y,115.96h,100.91t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1slEG2_3C7515lm_W34P4m2A!2e0!5s20180501T000000!7i13312!8i6656 (upgraded shiny new mast arm, still on wooden pole)

https://www.google.ca/maps/@48.4308135,-123.3903604,3a,44.1y,301.69h,94.76t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1s_LkI0IA5NR_qOh-zTGKFHw!2e0!5s20140501T000000!6s%2F%2Fgeo2.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3D_LkI0IA5NR_qOh-zTGKFHw%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D173.82304%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656


https://www.google.ca/maps/@48.4299052,-123.4169283,3a,49.9y,251.87h,96.35t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1svtqvK3GEsVrFcd-xN8At6w!2e0!5s20140501T000000!7i13312!8i6656 (also has rare 12-8-8-8-8 signals)

There were also a few signals on span wires hanging from wooden utility poles in Victoria, but I think they're all gone now.

[roadfro]

A bit off topic, but...

https://www.google.ca/maps/@48.4299052,-123.4169283,3a,49.9y,251.87h,96.35t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1svtqvK3GEsVrFcd-xN8At6w!2e0!5s20140501T000000!7i13312!8i6656 (also has rare 12-8-8-8-8 signals)

At this same intersection, take a look at the signal masts and mast arms on the other corners. This is a unique style I haven't seen before.
https://goo.gl/maps/VLJwBtKXghaHQffa9

[PHLBOS]

Just outside of Morton, PA (Delaware County).

2012 GSV showing utility pole-mounted signal at the PA 420 (Kedron Ave.) & Franklin Ave. intersection.

2018 GSV of the same intersection showing utility pole-mounted signals on a new, shortened utility pole.

[roadfro]

Just outside of Morton, PA (Delaware County).

2012 GSV showing utility pole-mounted signal at the PA 420 (Kedron Ave.) & Franklin Ave. intersection.

2018 GSV of the same intersection showing utility pole-mounted signals on a new, shortened utility pole.

And, on the diagonally opposite corner, an older style signal mounted on a wood post was replaced by a contemporary signal and post similar to the two other corners.

[PHLBOS]

Just outside of Morton, PA (Delaware County).

2012 GSV showing utility pole-mounted signal at the PA 420 (Kedron Ave.) & Franklin Ave. intersection.

2018 GSV of the same intersection showing utility pole-mounted signals on a new, shortened utility pole.

And, on the diagonally opposite corner, an older style signal mounted on a wood post was replaced by a contemporary signal and post similar to the two other corners.

True, but I was mainly focused on installations that are presently still around.

[roadfro]

Just outside of Morton, PA (Delaware County).

2012 GSV showing utility pole-mounted signal at the PA 420 (Kedron Ave.) & Franklin Ave. intersection.

2018 GSV of the same intersection showing utility pole-mounted signals on a new, shortened utility pole.

And, on the diagonally opposite corner, an older style signal mounted on a wood post was replaced by a contemporary signal and post similar to the two other corners.

True, but I was mainly focused on installations that are presently still around.

I suppose that makes the current installation all the more intriguing. They removed a wood post on one corner to be replaced by a metal post, but the other corner they replaced with another wood post. (And the wood post kept also holds the signal controller cabinet, which is also interesting to me at least.)

[roadman65]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/48384458012/in/album-72157635265627400/
On La 1 where it interchanges with I-49.

NC and SC use these quite regular in their states, so its not  completely uncommon.

Is that a utility pole, though?  I don't see any other utilities hooked up to it.

If you are talking about poles used for power already no, I thought this thread was about the nature of the type of pole.   As both NC and SC do use those type of poles to mount their span wires from, though in Santee, SC I see at the intersections of US 15 & 301 and SC 6 & Old 15 & 301 they used metal poles there now.  So maybe that state could be wising up some and caring about aethstetics finally.

[plain]

A 5-section signal on a utility pole in Richmond at Three Chopt Rd & Grove Ave

https://maps.app.goo.gl/FdDRm1MhvvC39J6k8



SM-S820L

[roadman65]

https://goo.gl/maps/iaZuEuFeXzm846KR7 Staten Island, NY has mast arms extending from wooden utility poles.  Also some other mount for permissive turn at that same intersection https://goo.gl/maps/NGszLZ2uuQ5bJs1z5

Anyway, sorry I did not see the original thread meaning as we have so many users on here who bring up past threads or the obvious at times.  I should have known when the regulars on here did not post a link to another thread that was talked about already.   When I seen the wooden poles in the title it automatically made me think of the Carolinas as your mind becomes numb after a while from seeing the same words over and over again.

[jay8g]

One of Seattle's historic Pioneer Square signals is mounted on a standard wood utility pole, rather than the historic metal poles the rest are on. I've always found it a little funny how such a fancy signal is mounted on a boring pole like that, but it's quite possible that's just how it's always been.

There are way too many span wire signals using shared utility poles to count around here! That's never really struck me as something out of the ordinary, but I guess it is in other places...

[roadman65]

It's fairly common to come across span-wire signals hung off wooden utility poles around Maine.

To me the whole thing looks cheap.  I prefer span wires to be hung on metal poles or concrete ones as both Florida and Puerto Rico uses.

[lepidopteran]

https://goo.gl/maps/iaZuEuFeXzm846KR7 Staten Island, NY has mast arms extending from wooden utility poles.  Also some other mount for permissive turn at that same intersection https://goo.gl/maps/NGszLZ2uuQ5bJs1z5

And in the borough of Queens

r_191104025_beat0072_a by Mitch Waxman, on Flickr

[paulthemapguy]

Here's one that's a bit strange for those found in Illinois, as it has side-mounted signal heads attached directly to the poles. https://goo.gl/maps/xaH7qfEbRrU2KKSF8

[7/8]

Some of the lights at Speedsville Rd and Maple Grove Rd in Cambridge, ON are on wooden hydro poles:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.4287112,-80.3551536,3a,75y,261.26h,89.69t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7GaED-6ob_CUheTHnoPj5w!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I'll have to keep an eye out for other examples, but I don't think it's too common in my area.

[kphoger]

Here's one that's a bit strange for those found in Illinois, as it has side-mounted signal heads attached directly to the poles. https://goo.gl/maps/xaH7qfEbRrU2KKSF8

From my perspective, those wooden poles aren't supporting any utilities other than the electricity feeding directly to the stoplights.  Should we really call those "utility poles", then?  If they were made of metal, I doubt you would even look twice.