The Best of Road Signs

Started by Mergingtraffic, September 21, 2010, 06:36:08 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

Mergingtraffic

Thanks to the idea of Agentsteel53!

Any pics of the "best of road signs" meaning they are just old and falling apart?

I only take pics of good looking signs. Long live non-reflective button copy!
MergingTraffic https://www.flickr.com/photos/98731835@N05/


agentsteel53

these aren't falling apart, but they seem to be the canonical example of "what's wrong with California" or "what is awesome about California", depending on your perspective.



live from sunny San Diego.

http://shields.aaroads.com

jake@aaroads.com

TheStranger

Yep, I already have the feeling that this will be a CalTrans-dominated thread. :D

Here's one shining example of the concept, on the Santa Ana Freeway (US 101) southbound near the Los Angeles River.  

Chris Sampang

agentsteel53

that's an old as hell gantry. note the overlighting, not underlighting.  I dare say that thing goes back to the late 40s.
live from sunny San Diego.

http://shields.aaroads.com

jake@aaroads.com

Ian

I'll enjoy this thread...





(now gone)



UMaine graduate, former PennDOT employee, new SoCal resident.
Youtube l Flickr

agentsteel53

you missed the best, most decrepit Penna of them all!



and just about the last outline shield left in the state:

live from sunny San Diego.

http://shields.aaroads.com

jake@aaroads.com

Ian

Quote from: agentsteel53 on September 21, 2010, 06:52:14 PM
you missed the best, most decrepit Penna of them all!

But I don't have a photo of that!

Quote from: agentsteel53 on September 21, 2010, 06:52:14 PM
and just about the last outline shield left in the state:

Which reminds me, I gotta head out to the Roosevelt Blvd area soon to get a photo of all the old signs before they bite the dust.
UMaine graduate, former PennDOT employee, new SoCal resident.
Youtube l Flickr

agentsteel53

oh, here I thought you had photographed both.  there are some '61 spec button copy shields on green signs in that area of Philly too.
live from sunny San Diego.

http://shields.aaroads.com

jake@aaroads.com

TheStranger

Quote from: agentsteel53 on September 21, 2010, 06:50:21 PM
that's an old as hell gantry. note the overlighting, not underlighting.  I dare say that thing goes back to the late 40s.

According to CalTrans's bridge log, the Mission Road interchange is from 1947, and the nearby San Bernardino Split interchange...is from 1944!!!
Chris Sampang

Ian

Quote from: agentsteel53 on September 21, 2010, 06:57:43 PM
oh, here I thought you had photographed both.  there are some '61 spec button copy shields on green signs in that area of Philly too.

I know which you speak of. I know not in the same area, but there is an ancient set of PA 320 button copy signs about a mile or 2 away from my house.
UMaine graduate, former PennDOT employee, new SoCal resident.
Youtube l Flickr

TheStranger

Another Southern California example, I don't know exactly where this one is located, but the lack of shields suggests a mid-1960s vintage:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nathancongleton/4223803966/

Chris Sampang

agentsteel53

but when did they first start using the overhead gantries?  My guess is 1947...

wait, the San Berdoo Split is 1944??  You mean the 10 fwy splitting off the 5?  Here I thought all that was at the four-level until the late 50s.
live from sunny San Diego.

http://shields.aaroads.com

jake@aaroads.com

Ian

UMaine graduate, former PennDOT employee, new SoCal resident.
Youtube l Flickr

TheStranger

Quote from: agentsteel53 on September 21, 2010, 07:10:12 PM
but when did they first start using the overhead gantries?  My guess is 1947...

I would think not long after that interchange was built (same year as your guess) - I have a hard time imagining that the roadside gore signs that graced the Arroyo Seco Parkway would have been suitable for this stretch of the Santa Ana Freeway.

Quote from: agentsteel53

wait, the San Berdoo Split is 1944??  You mean the 10 fwy splitting off the 5?  Here I thought all that was at the four-level until the late 50s.

The San Bernardino Split is actually the interchange in this photo:
www.aaroads.com/shields/show.php?image=CA19550601

It is today's interchange of the Santa Ana Freeway (101) and San Bernardino Freeway (10 east, originally 60/70/99); there once was a flyover from 10 west to 101 south that was removed in 1995 due to high costs for potential earthquake retrofit work, after Northridge.  (Also, that ramp had been redundant for 32 years - access to the Santa Ana Freeway southbound now consists of following 10 along the Golden State Freeway before making the switchover.)
Chris Sampang

agentsteel53

damn... 1944, who'd have guessed?  that thing is advanced-looking as all Hell; my guess would've been 1955 or so.
live from sunny San Diego.

http://shields.aaroads.com

jake@aaroads.com

TheStranger

Quote from: agentsteel53 on September 21, 2010, 07:36:08 PM
damn... 1944, who'd have guessed? 

Trust me, I feel EXACTLY the same way - who'd think that in one year, they'd progress from the trucks-not-suitable Arroyo Seco Parkway, to this!?  (1948 aerial)


http://www.historicaerials.com/?poi=12963

The now-demolished flyover from what was then 60/70 west (99 north) to 101 south was installed in the mid-1950s though and is not original to the Split.


Chris Sampang

WillWeaverRVA

#16
Will Weaver
WillWeaverRVA Photography | Twitter

"But how will the oxen know where to drown if we renumber the Oregon Trail?" - NE2

Alex



Button copy based diagrammaticals.



Light-bulb based diagrammatical sign on the center panel.



State-named shields directing one to another state.



Illuminated button copy.



Button copy state shields.

And naturally colored U.S. highway shields.  :nod:

bugo


ctsignguy

http://s166.photobucket.com/albums/u102/ctsignguy/<br /><br />Maintaining an interest in Fine Highway Signs since 1958....

Ian

UMaine graduate, former PennDOT employee, new SoCal resident.
Youtube l Flickr

Hot Rod Hootenanny


Back in 2002, this street sign still existed in Chester, Pa.

A year later, I came upon this cast iron beauty along Valley Forge Rd.

Going back 10 years ago to Roosevelt Blvd. for this sign
Please, don't sue Alex & Andy over what I wrote above

mightyace

#22

Old text-based, center-tabbed gem on the I-80WB ramp to US 11.  The exit numbers were removed when the exits where renumbered though you can kinda, sorta see the 36S and 36N there.  These signs are the original ones at this location.


The signs on US 11 North, also original.


The signs on US 11 South, also original.


The exit ramp from I-80WB to PA 42-44.  PA 44 has never been signed on the BGSs, though.
My Flickr Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mightyace

I'm out of this F***KING PLACE!

Bickendan

#23
Those 'Milton' signs are wrong. They're missing '-Freewater'. And the I-80 shields should be I-84
Smilie removed due to image host being hacked. --Bickendan

corco



I am pleased to report that this is still there as of today



Opinions expressed here on belong solely to the poster and do not represent or reflect the opinions or beliefs of AARoads, its creators and/or associates.