Massachusetts

[PurdueBill]

Still there!

It is amazing how much older the signs look than the gantry they are on. 

It is also amazing how signage for 30 West disappears at the critical moments and unless you know what you are doing, you will probably end back up on Route 9.  The only assembly for the first turn is missing an arrow and has been for a while (and has even been carbon-copy replaced missing the arrow).

[highwaytuna]

Pre-Big Dig map of Boston at the Boston Common (Beacon & Charles Streets), dated 1997. Note the old 90/93 interchange, Central Artery, and Leverett Circle. Interestingly, the Sumner and Callahan Tunnels are not shown.

[Ted$8roadFan]

Pre-Big Dig map of Boston at the Boston Common (Beacon & Charles Streets), dated 1997. Note the old 90/93 interchange, Central Artery, and Leverett Circle. Interestingly, the Sumner and Callahan Tunnels are not shown.

No tunnels at all. The Ted was under construction/allowed some commercial vehicles by that time.

[kramie13]

Are these signs Mass DOT or RI DOT?
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8948092,-71.3757905,3a,45.1y,219.35h,92.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZwrZvA5SHSYI1jgnNcZygQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

And what is the "rule of thumb" for exit signage close to state lines?  I've noticed Massachusetts has signed exits that are in CT and NH.  In the NH case, they're using the MA state shield!
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.8769023,-70.8846704,3a,75y,46.63h,87.37t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFLsst4S4WWsEdtn1-W6QdA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[SidS1045]

Are these signs Mass DOT or RI DOT?

Probably RI.  I don't see the telltale construction notations on the lower left-hand side of the signs that MA builds.  Also, MA hasn't used centered exit tabs in a very long time.

And what is the "rule of thumb" for exit signage close to state lines?  I've noticed Massachusetts has signed exits that are in CT and NH.  In the NH case, they're using the MA state shield!

I've seen it done both ways, so if there's a rule somewhere, it doesn't appear to be enforced.

[fwydriver405]

Are these signs Mass DOT or RI DOT?

Probably RI.  I don't see the telltale construction notations on the lower left-hand side of the signs that MA builds.  Also, MA hasn't used centered exit tabs in a very long time.

I thought those signs were MassDOT, based off a notation off of bob7374's Interstate 95 in Massachusetts Photo Gallery:

SIGN PLANS

Sign Plan Photos courtesy of  Charlene White at MassDOT:

The sign replacement project will update the exits signs for the first 2 Rhode Island exits which haven't been updated since the 1970s:

which also raises another question, since RIDOT JUST annouced they are finally changing the I-95 numbers to mile based numbers (http://www.dot.ri.gov/projects/ExitNumbers/) - if those signs mentioned above (may) be delayed with Exits 43/42 already fabricated, or if the signs will still have the old Exit 30/29 numbers and then overlaid with Exit 43/42 once RI's projects commences, based off of this note later down the page:

The sign detail plans came with this interesting note: Is MassDOT planning to revive its Milepost Exit Conversion Project before the I-95 project is over? Or was this note that first appears with the sign plans for the Rhode Island exits due to the numbers possibly changing next year that was mistakenly carried over to all the Massachusetts exit plans?

[PurdueBill]

Are these signs Mass DOT or RI DOT?

Probably RI.  I don't see the telltale construction notations on the lower left-hand side of the signs that MA builds.  Also, MA hasn't used centered exit tabs in a very long time.

And what is the "rule of thumb" for exit signage close to state lines?  I've noticed Massachusetts has signed exits that are in CT and NH.  In the NH case, they're using the MA state shield!

I've seen it done both ways, so if there's a rule somewhere, it doesn't appear to be enforced.

Somehow Mass seems to end up signing other states' exits (the RI ones pictured; NH 107 [and NH Welcome Center] on I-95; CT's Wilsonville Rd. on I-395, CT 171 on I-84; US 5 on I-91).

[jp the roadgeek]

Are these signs Mass DOT or RI DOT?

Probably RI.  I don't see the telltale construction notations on the lower left-hand side of the signs that MA builds.  Also, MA hasn't used centered exit tabs in a very long time.

And what is the "rule of thumb" for exit signage close to state lines?  I've noticed Massachusetts has signed exits that are in CT and NH.  In the NH case, they're using the MA state shield!

I've seen it done both ways, so if there's a rule somewhere, it doesn't appear to be enforced.

Somehow Mass seems to end up signing other states' exits (the RI ones pictured; NH 107 [and NH Welcome Center] on I-95; CT's Wilsonville Rd. on I-395, CT 171 on I-84; US 5 on I-91).

Because when RIDOT does it, you get RI shields for CT state routes, such as the one on I-95 in Hopkinton for Exit 93 in North Stonington.

[RobbieL2415]

Are these signs Mass DOT or RI DOT?

Probably RI.  I don't see the telltale construction notations on the lower left-hand side of the signs that MA builds.  Also, MA hasn't used centered exit tabs in a very long time.

And what is the "rule of thumb" for exit signage close to state lines?  I've noticed Massachusetts has signed exits that are in CT and NH.  In the NH case, they're using the MA state shield!

I've seen it done both ways, so if there's a rule somewhere, it doesn't appear to be enforced.

Somehow Mass seems to end up signing other states' exits (the RI ones pictured; NH 107 [and NH Welcome Center] on I-95; CT's Wilsonville Rd. on I-395, CT 171 on I-84; US 5 on I-91).

The I-91 one is necessary because the interchange happens a few hundred feet past the border.

[PurdueBill]

Are these signs Mass DOT or RI DOT?

Probably RI.  I don't see the telltale construction notations on the lower left-hand side of the signs that MA builds.  Also, MA hasn't used centered exit tabs in a very long time.

And what is the "rule of thumb" for exit signage close to state lines?  I've noticed Massachusetts has signed exits that are in CT and NH.  In the NH case, they're using the MA state shield!

I've seen it done both ways, so if there's a rule somewhere, it doesn't appear to be enforced.

Somehow Mass seems to end up signing other states' exits (the RI ones pictured; NH 107 [and NH Welcome Center] on I-95; CT's Wilsonville Rd. on I-395, CT 171 on I-84; US 5 on I-91).

The I-91 one is necessary because the interchange happens a few hundred feet past the border.

On 395 you get no more than 1/2 mile of advance notice for the first Mass exit even though Mass signs outside exits up to a mile away, and NH signs the MA 286/Welcome Center exit a mile out (with the current sign showing an oddball 2-digit width shield) while the closer advance is all Mass work while in NH.  It seems odd that Mass posts signs in NH for an exit right by the border, while RI lets Mass sign a RI exit.  Probably it's all about some agreement/payment vs. a blanket thing.  The famous Indiana button copy (now gone) well within Kentucky on US 41 NB is another example of where it was probably just as well to have the state where the exit actually is do the signage.  Otherwise we get RI shields for CT routes, MA shields for NH routes (i.e., 107).....
The RI 216 and 184 shields always irked me.  How hard is it to just put numerals in a rectangle?  They probably would claim that the only shield blanks they had were RI ones, but come on.......

[jp the roadgeek]

Are these signs Mass DOT or RI DOT?

Probably RI.  I don't see the telltale construction notations on the lower left-hand side of the signs that MA builds.  Also, MA hasn't used centered exit tabs in a very long time.

And what is the "rule of thumb" for exit signage close to state lines?  I've noticed Massachusetts has signed exits that are in CT and NH.  In the NH case, they're using the MA state shield!

I've seen it done both ways, so if there's a rule somewhere, it doesn't appear to be enforced.

Somehow Mass seems to end up signing other states' exits (the RI ones pictured; NH 107 [and NH Welcome Center] on I-95; CT's Wilsonville Rd. on I-395, CT 171 on I-84; US 5 on I-91).

The I-91 one is necessary because the interchange happens a few hundred feet past the border.

On 395 you get no more than 1/2 mile of advance notice for the first Mass exit even though Mass signs outside exits up to a mile away, and NH signs the MA 286/Welcome Center exit a mile out (with the current sign showing an oddball 2-digit width shield) while the closer advance is all Mass work while in NH.  It seems odd that Mass posts signs in NH for an exit right by the border, while RI lets Mass sign a RI exit.  Probably it's all about some agreement/payment vs. a blanket thing.  The famous Indiana button copy (now gone) well within Kentucky on US 41 NB is another example of where it was probably just as well to have the state where the exit actually is do the signage.  Otherwise we get RI shields for CT routes, MA shields for NH routes (i.e., 107).....
The RI 216 and 184 shields always irked me.  How hard is it to just put numerals in a rectangle?  They probably would claim that the only shield blanks they had were RI ones, but come on.......

The RI 216 one is somewhat protected by the fact that the road crosses back into RI less than a mile south of there.  Route 184 (as Route 84) hasn't crossed into RI since I-95 was built and dead ended New London Turnpike a few hundred feet into RI.  It's called Extension 184 on Google Maps, but CT 184 ends at CT 216.

[Alps]

Are these signs Mass DOT or RI DOT?

Probably RI.  I don't see the telltale construction notations on the lower left-hand side of the signs that MA builds.  Also, MA hasn't used centered exit tabs in a very long time.

And what is the "rule of thumb" for exit signage close to state lines?  I've noticed Massachusetts has signed exits that are in CT and NH.  In the NH case, they're using the MA state shield!

I've seen it done both ways, so if there's a rule somewhere, it doesn't appear to be enforced.

Somehow Mass seems to end up signing other states' exits (the RI ones pictured; NH 107 [and NH Welcome Center] on I-95; CT's Wilsonville Rd. on I-395, CT 171 on I-84; US 5 on I-91).

The I-91 one is necessary because the interchange happens a few hundred feet past the border.

On 395 you get no more than 1/2 mile of advance notice for the first Mass exit even though Mass signs outside exits up to a mile away, and NH signs the MA 286/Welcome Center exit a mile out (with the current sign showing an oddball 2-digit width shield) while the closer advance is all Mass work while in NH.  It seems odd that Mass posts signs in NH for an exit right by the border, while RI lets Mass sign a RI exit.  Probably it's all about some agreement/payment vs. a blanket thing.  The famous Indiana button copy (now gone) well within Kentucky on US 41 NB is another example of where it was probably just as well to have the state where the exit actually is do the signage.  Otherwise we get RI shields for CT routes, MA shields for NH routes (i.e., 107).....
The RI 216 and 184 shields always irked me.  How hard is it to just put numerals in a rectangle?  They probably would claim that the only shield blanks they had were RI ones, but come on.......

The RI 216 one is somewhat protected by the fact that the road crosses back into RI less than a mile south of there.  Route 184 (as Route 84) hasn't crossed into RI since I-95 was built and dead ended New London Turnpike a few hundred feet into RI.  It's called Extension 184 on Google Maps, but CT 184 ends at CT 216.

My gosh, the sign's been there since at least 2007 per Google Maps and I never noticed the RI issue. I have the OLD version up:

[roadman]

Are these signs Mass DOT or RI DOT?

Probably RI.  I don't see the telltale construction notations on the lower left-hand side of the signs that MA builds.  Also, MA hasn't used centered exit tabs in a very long time.

I thought those signs were MassDOT, based off a notation off of bob7374's Interstate 95 in Massachusetts Photo Gallery:

SIGN PLANS

Sign Plan Photos courtesy of  Charlene White at MassDOT:

The sign replacement project will update the exits signs for the first 2 Rhode Island exits which haven't been updated since the 1970s:

which also raises another question, since RIDOT JUST annouced they are finally changing the I-95 numbers to mile based numbers (http://www.dot.ri.gov/projects/ExitNumbers/) - if those signs mentioned above (may) be delayed with Exits 43/42 already fabricated, or if the signs will still have the old Exit 30/29 numbers and then overlaid with Exit 43/42 once RI's projects commences, based off of this note later down the page:

The sign detail plans came with this interesting note: Is MassDOT planning to revive its Milepost Exit Conversion Project before the I-95 project is over? Or was this note that first appears with the sign plans for the Rhode Island exits due to the numbers possibly changing next year that was mistakenly carried over to all the Massachusetts exit plans?

The signs and structure in question were installed by MassDPW in the mid 1970s - the location is right at the MA/RI border.  Because of this, the designer of the 2000 Attleboro to Canton I-95 sign replacement project erroneously presumed the signs were RIDOT, and not MassHighway, and called for the panels and structure to be retained under that project.  Neither MassHighway HQ or District staff caught the error at that time.

Note that the typical Massachusetts panel identification notation found in the lower left corner of overhead BGS panels wasn't introduced until the late 1980s.

The "verify exit numbers prior to fabrication note" is included on the I-95 project plans because, at the time the project was designed and let for bids, it was still uncertain when MassDOT would convert to milepost-based numbers - the original 2016 project having been cancelled.  As such, the original design showed sequential numbers, but these were changed to the present milepost numbers during sign fabrication.

[bluecountry]

Does anybody have the ADT for the Mass Pike?
I want to see the volume from 84 to 290, 495, 128.

Bump?

[fwydriver405]

The "verify exit numbers prior to fabrication note" is included on the I-95 project plans because, at the time the project was designed and let for bids, it was still uncertain when MassDOT would convert to milepost-based numbers - the original 2016 project having been cancelled.  As such, the original design showed sequential numbers, but these were changed to the present milepost numbers during sign fabrication.

True, almost forgot about the original 2016 project having been cancelled. Even with that message (and the original intent) - would that also apply to the RIDOT numbering as well on 95? I would imagine RIDOT would have to coordinate with MassDOT about those two signs once these numbers on RI I-95 are in place...

[kramie13]

Are these signs Mass DOT or RI DOT?
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8948092,-71.3757905,3a,45.1y,219.35h,92.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZwrZvA5SHSYI1jgnNcZygQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

RIP to these signs with center exit tabs.

I traveled this stretch of I-95 yesterday.  These signs have been taken down and replaced with two separate single-sign posts.  Right after exit 1 is a 1-mile sign for RI exit 29 (soon to be renumbered to 42), which uses a MA 114 shield.  Then right before the border (where the old signs stood) is an "at-exit" sign (including an arrow) for RI exit 30 (soon to become exit 43).

These are definitely Mass DOT signs from the look of them, and they're fabricated with the soon-to-be-obsolete exit numbers.   

[spooky]

Are these signs Mass DOT or RI DOT?
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8948092,-71.3757905,3a,45.1y,219.35h,92.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZwrZvA5SHSYI1jgnNcZygQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

RIP to these signs with center exit tabs.

I traveled this stretch of I-95 yesterday.  These signs have been taken down and replaced with two separate single-sign posts.  Right after exit 1 is a 1-mile sign for RI exit 29 (soon to be renumbered to 42), which uses a MA 114 shield.  Then right before the border (where the old signs stood) is an "at-exit" sign (including an arrow) for RI exit 30 (soon to become exit 43).

These are definitely Mass DOT signs from the look of them, and they're fabricated with the soon-to-be-obsolete exit numbers.   

The burning question is whether RIDOT's contractor will be thorough enough to overlay numbers on new signs in MA when updating RI numbering. You would hope so, since I believe it is the same contractor, but maybe don't bet on it.

[bob7374]

Are these signs Mass DOT or RI DOT?
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8948092,-71.3757905,3a,45.1y,219.35h,92.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZwrZvA5SHSYI1jgnNcZygQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

RIP to these signs with center exit tabs.

I traveled this stretch of I-95 yesterday.  These signs have been taken down and replaced with two separate single-sign posts.  Right after exit 1 is a 1-mile sign for RI exit 29 (soon to be renumbered to 42), which uses a MA 114 shield.  Then right before the border (where the old signs stood) is an "at-exit" sign (including an arrow) for RI exit 30 (soon to become exit 43).

These are definitely Mass DOT signs from the look of them, and they're fabricated with the soon-to-be-obsolete exit numbers.   

The burning question is whether RIDOT's contractor will be thorough enough to overlay numbers on new signs in MA when updating RI numbering. You would hope so, since I believe it is the same contractor, but maybe don't bet on it.

They are the same contractor, Liddell Bros. Apparently MassDOT didn't know about the I-95 exit renumbering in RI when the signs were being fabricated, since, as the plans above note, the contractor was supposed to contact them before installing the numbers on the new signs. Will be interesting to see how quickly the numbers on the MA signs change after July 31.

[fwydriver405]

Does anybody have the ADT for the Mass Pike?
I want to see the volume from 84 to 290, 495, 128.

Maybe try MassDOT's interactive map (https://mhd.public.ms2soft.com/tcds/tsearch.asp?loc=Mhd&mod= )? Had to pull some turning movement counts earlier today - the ones on the Mass. Pike are at the gantries from 2021.

On an unreleted note, is that 1-mile advance sign for Exit 90 (old 60) on I-95 SB in Seebrook NH a NHDOT or a MassDOT sign? The previous one looked like it was a NHDOT-spec'd sign but I'm not sure who put up the new sign with Exit 1 was reconstucted.

[MATraveler128]

On an unreleted note, is that 1-mile advance sign for Exit 90 (old 60) on I-95 SB in Seebrook NH a NHDOT or a MassDOT sign? The previous one looked like it was a NHDOT-spec'd sign but I'm not sure who put up the new sign with Exit 1 was reconstucted.

That definitely looks like a NHDOT install. It looks like the numbers on the MA 286 shield are squished together which is how 3 digit state routes are signed in New Hampshire. The ones further down for Exit 90 and Exit 89 just before the state line are MassDOT though.

[Pete from Boston]

Is there a regular interval for cleaning the signs in the Big Dig tunnels, or is it just done as needed? So many of the overhead signs are so caked with soot at this point that they are barely visible even when lighted. Reflectivity is all but gone.

[SectorZ]

Is there a regular interval for cleaning the signs in the Big Dig tunnels, or is it just done as needed? So many of the overhead signs are so caked with soot at this point that they are barely visible even went lighted. Reflectivity is all but gone.

I am guessing the answer is no on both counts given they've been caked in crud for a while now.

[spooky]

Is there a regular interval for cleaning the signs in the Big Dig tunnels, or is it just done as needed? So many of the overhead signs are so caked with soot at this point that they are barely visible even when lighted. Reflectivity is all but gone.

There was a schedule for such cleanings, I think once a month with alternating months by direction; however that was a number of years ago, and knowing MassDOT, they likely dropped the routine.

[Rothman]

Is there a regular interval for cleaning the signs in the Big Dig tunnels, or is it just done as needed? So many of the overhead signs are so caked with soot at this point that they are barely visible even when lighted. Reflectivity is all but gone.

There was a schedule for such cleanings, I think once a month with alternating months by direction; however that was a number of years ago, and knowing MassDOT, they likely dropped the routine.

It's hard to imagine it was that often.

[RobbieL2415]

What is the significance of this VMS on the Mass Pike westbound before Exit 3 (former Exit 1)?
Its the only one of this design that I've ever seen.

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3068695,-73.3493313,3a,15.4y,313.49h,93.22t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s-MBpopKlD9Smvjatf_ag1g!2e0!5s20220601T000000!7i16384!8i8192