State Hwy Begin/End signs in Mass

[TMETSJETSYT]

So this is something that confuses me every time I leave/enter Mass. Why do they have these weird State highway ends/begins signs when you leave or enter Mass? Do they have to do this? Because I never see them in any other states. Idk how to insert images, but if someone could answer me, that would be great.

[hotdogPi]

These signs mean to begin or end state maintenance, and they have nothing to do with route numbering. They do seem pointless at state lines, though. (Many of them aren't at state lines.)

[MATraveler128]

They are more commonly used before a state highways reaches a downtown area which I believe means that the town is responsible for maintenance vs the state.

[JayhawkCO]

I originally read this thread title "State Hwy Begin/End signs En Masse".

[roadman]

These signs mean to begin or end state maintenance, and they have nothing to do with route numbering. They do seem pointless at state lines, though. (Many of them aren't at state lines.)

Secondary roads at many MA state borders are local jurisdiction, not state.  So yes, the signs have a purpose.

[Alps]

They are more commonly used before a state highways reaches a downtown area which I believe means that the town is responsible for maintenance vs the state.

I wouldn't say more common. I see them equally for both.

[MASTERNC]

Vermont has similar signs going into towns

[pderocco]

These signs mean to begin or end state maintenance, and they have nothing to do with route numbering. They do seem pointless at state lines, though. (Many of them aren't at state lines.)

Secondary roads at many MA state borders are local jurisdiction, not state.  So yes, the signs have a purpose.

Not sure whose purpose is served. What driver finds this information useful? I grew up there and learned to drive there, and it always seemed like pointless signage to me.

[Ted$8roadFan]

These signs mean to begin or end state maintenance, and they have nothing to do with route numbering. They do seem pointless at state lines, though. (Many of them aren't at state lines.)

Secondary roads at many MA state borders are local jurisdiction, not state.  So yes, the signs have a purpose.

Not sure whose purpose is served. What driver finds this information useful? I grew up there and learned to drive there, and it always seemed like pointless signage to me.

Massachusetts (and New England) and its people are quite turf-conscious. The signs are another way of a municipality or state saying "not my problem"  when it comes to maintenance.

[Rothman]

These signs mean to begin or end state maintenance, and they have nothing to do with route numbering. They do seem pointless at state lines, though. (Many of them aren't at state lines.)

Secondary roads at many MA state borders are local jurisdiction, not state.  So yes, the signs have a purpose.

Not sure whose purpose is served. What driver finds this information useful? I grew up there and learned to drive there, and it always seemed like pointless signage to me.

Massachusetts (and New England) and its people are quite turf-conscious. The signs are another way of a municipality or state saying "not my problem"  when it comes to maintenance.

They're also helpful for start/end points for construction work for contractors.

Signage isn't always about the drivers...

[RobbieL2415]

In Provincetown they're used to denote the beginning/end of federal jurisdiction of US 6. So that seems kinda important.

[Rothman]

In Provincetown they're used to denote the beginning/end of federal jurisdiction of US 6. So that seems kinda important.

In what way?  Just where it crosses the National Seashore property?

Outside of the feds owning property that roads traverse, there really isn't geographic "federal jurisdiction," other than their sign-off on federal funds that are used in State and local capital projects.

[RobbieL2415]

In Provincetown they're used to denote the beginning/end of federal jurisdiction of US 6. So that seems kinda important.

In what way?  Just where it crosses the National Seashore property?

Yes

[Rothman]

In Provincetown they're used to denote the beginning/end of federal jurisdiction of US 6. So that seems kinda important.

In what way?  Just where it crosses the National Seashore property?

Yes

In practice, then it's not any different than indicating where State maintenance ends, then.  Either the local or the Fed has responsibility after that point.

[SectorZ]

These signs mean to begin or end state maintenance, and they have nothing to do with route numbering. They do seem pointless at state lines, though. (Many of them aren't at state lines.)

Secondary roads at many MA state borders are local jurisdiction, not state.  So yes, the signs have a purpose.

Not sure whose purpose is served. What driver finds this information useful? I grew up there and learned to drive there, and it always seemed like pointless signage to me.

Massachusetts (and New England) and its people are quite turf-conscious. The signs are another way of a municipality or state saying "not my problem"  when it comes to maintenance.

They're also helpful for start/end points for construction work for contractors.

Signage isn't always about the drivers...

Also helpful on whether it's legal to park on the road or not.