Which states still mount the overhead signs on the bridge?

[tolbs17]

Personally, I do not like them mounted on the bridges.

North Carolina stopped sometime in the late 90s. Although there's still many on older highways like here, but they are slowly fading away.

I don't know when Virginia stopped but they definitely do not mount them on the bridges anymore.

I know Nebraska, Florida (and many other states), still mount them on the bridge.


Old signs from 1994 - https://www.google.com/maps/@35.6076203,-77.438818,3a,50.1y,95.7h,89.38t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sS2YJNVFZo6hOnSqhf_MrQg!2e0!5s20190601T000000!7i13312!8i6656

Newer signs from 2019 - https://www.google.com/maps/@35.6076546,-77.4388554,3a,75y,95.7h,89.38t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sodgcb834bQj2ZFMysrErJg!2e0!5s20210601T000000!7i16384!8i8192

[Max Rockatansky]

I'm not really sure why it would be a problem to mount signage on a bridge structure?  California does mount signage sometimes where it really isn't appropriate like the off center overhead gantry on I-5 northbound approaching CA 99 near Wheeler Ridge.  The sign is mounted onto the bridge carrying Wheeler Ridge Road is somewhat well known for being off angle:

https://flic.kr/p/2fHciww

[tolbs17]

I'm not really sure why it would be a problem to mount signage on a bridge structure?  California does mount signage sometimes where it really isn't appropriate like the off center overhead gantry on I-5 northbound approaching CA 99 near Wheeler Ridge.  The sign is mounted onto the bridge carrying Wheeler Ridge Road is somewhat well known for being off angle:

https://flic.kr/p/2fHciww

Ew, gross.

[Max Rockatansky]

I'm not really sure why it would be a problem to mount signage on a bridge structure?  California does mount signage sometimes where it really isn't appropriate like the off center overhead gantry on I-5 northbound approaching CA 99 near Wheeler Ridge.  The sign is mounted onto the bridge carrying Wheeler Ridge Road is somewhat well known for being off angle:

https://flic.kr/p/2fHciww

Ew, gross.

Yes, very much a vegan sign.  Let's see if anyone gets that forum reference...

[tolbs17]

I'm not really sure why it would be a problem to mount signage on a bridge structure?  California does mount signage sometimes where it really isn't appropriate like the off center overhead gantry on I-5 northbound approaching CA 99 near Wheeler Ridge.  The sign is mounted onto the bridge carrying Wheeler Ridge Road is somewhat well known for being off angle:

https://flic.kr/p/2fHciww

Ew, gross.

Yes, very much a vegan sign.  Let's see if anyone gets that forum reference...

We shall see... that's exactly my point of why I'm opposed to the signs mounted on the bridges.

[ran4sh]

I'm not really sure why it would be a problem to mount signage on a bridge structure?  California does mount signage sometimes where it really isn't appropriate like the off center overhead gantry on I-5 northbound approaching CA 99 near Wheeler Ridge.  The sign is mounted onto the bridge carrying Wheeler Ridge Road is somewhat well known for being off angle:

https://flic.kr/p/2fHciww

Because it causes problems for the bridge itself, such as the drilled holes for sign mounting hardware resulting in the structure being compromised or for allowing a location that becomes easily susceptible to corrosion and other weather effects, also, tall signs can affect how the bridge handles strong winds, etc.

It's weird that CA mounts it at an angle like that, there are states that I've seen where they will include some kind of additional bracketing/hardware when the bridge is at an angle so that the sign will be at the correct angle, for example https://goo.gl/maps/miEbQKjdpUHUPMBg7 . This is in Georgia but I think Georgia is one of the states that no longer mounts signs to bridges.

[tolbs17]

I'm not really sure why it would be a problem to mount signage on a bridge structure?  California does mount signage sometimes where it really isn't appropriate like the off center overhead gantry on I-5 northbound approaching CA 99 near Wheeler Ridge.  The sign is mounted onto the bridge carrying Wheeler Ridge Road is somewhat well known for being off angle:

https://flic.kr/p/2fHciww

Because it causes problems for the bridge itself, such as the drilled holes for sign mounting hardware resulting in the structure being compromised or for allowing a location that becomes easily susceptible to corrosion and other weather effects, also, tall signs can affect how the bridge handles strong winds, etc.

It's weird that CA mounts it at an angle like that, there are states that I've seen where they will include some kind of additional bracketing/hardware when the bridge is at an angle so that the sign will be at the correct angle, for example https://goo.gl/maps/miEbQKjdpUHUPMBg7 . This is in Georgia but I think Georgia is one of the states that no longer mounts signs to bridges.

Here's another example.

Dan K. Moore Fwy
https://maps.app.goo.gl/un3dUJ5iW5ae18B99

[Max Rockatansky]

I'm not really sure why it would be a problem to mount signage on a bridge structure?  California does mount signage sometimes where it really isn't appropriate like the off center overhead gantry on I-5 northbound approaching CA 99 near Wheeler Ridge.  The sign is mounted onto the bridge carrying Wheeler Ridge Road is somewhat well known for being off angle:

https://flic.kr/p/2fHciww

Because it causes problems for the bridge itself, such as the drilled holes for sign mounting hardware resulting in the structure being compromised or for allowing a location that becomes easily susceptible to corrosion and other weather effects, also, tall signs can affect how the bridge handles strong winds, etc.

It's weird that CA mounts it at an angle like that, there are states that I've seen where they will include some kind of additional bracketing/hardware when the bridge is at an angle so that the sign will be at the correct angle, for example https://goo.gl/maps/miEbQKjdpUHUPMBg7 . This is in Georgia but I think Georgia is one of the states that no longer mounts signs to bridges.

FWIW the sign I posted is from Caltrans District 6.  Suffice to say corrosion probably isn't exactly a big issue for District 6 given the lack of precipitation. 

[hbelkins]

Most bridges that are used as sign-mounting structures are designed to do so, so concerns about wind loading, the bridge being compromised, etc, are specious and spurious.

I think it's a totally acceptable practice because it's economical. It's cheaper to mount a sign on a bridge than it is to build a separate gantry. Why waste money that you don't need to waste?

[roadfro]

Nevada DOT used to mount BGSs to bridge structures, but it seems this is no longer their practice starting about 15 years ago. I can cite cases where signage was removed from a bridge and replaced with a new sign on a sign structure instead (generally as part of another larger project).

My hunch is that they are using separate sign structures in an attempt to deter vandalism. Signs attached to bridges sometimes tend to be graffiti targets, whether the vandals just tag the back of the sign or the front face–even when the bridge itself has arched pedestrian fencing.

I can think of just three instances of overhead signage being installed on a bridge within the last 15 years. For two of them, they are interchange conversions in the Reno area where the signage is for the side road affixed to the freeway bridge, and the other is freeway pull-through signage affixed on a rural overpass–note in all instances that these are locations where pedestrians are not likely to be prevalent on the bridges.

The only

[Bruce]

Another common problem with bridge-mounted signs: They're easier to tag. Just need to have some coordination to get your cans over the sign and start spraying the front.

An example on I-5 in Shoreline, WA: https://goo.gl/maps/YE3VhxrdzKonCBb97

[achilles765]

I can't think of any off hand in Texas that I have seen (though that doesn't mean anything other than I haven't seen one..dunno how many there may be) but I do remember several in Louisiana when I lived there. Immediately one on IH 55 for the town of independence I believe. And there are several in and around New Orleans and Baton Rouge like Sherwood Forest Blvd on IH 12 (I think)
New Orleans has a big one: the sign for US 90/Business US 90 for superdome/Claiborne Avenue/Westbank.

[jp the roadgeek]

CTDOT is moving away from bridge mounted signs with most replaced by single chorded trusses.  However, a couple of placements in an I-84 sign replacement contract retained bridge mounted signs (eastbound Exit 36 exit now and 1 mile Exit 39 come to mind).

[paulthemapguy]

I think it's okay, as long as the sign is mounted on a bridge that crosses at a perfect right angle (+/-5°).

This is fine:


IL-I-57X237AN by Paul Drives, on Flickr

This is not.  The skew is maybe 10-15°, but that's enough to screw up readability, especially considering the right-hand curve making the skewed-left sign very difficult to read farther upstream.  The skew will also screw up your lane arrow spacings, which needed to be widened by a factor of (1/sin) of the skew angle.  The spacings on the APL below are too narrow.


IL-I-355X20ANG by Paul Drives, on Flickr

[roadman65]

If it's done properly, angled overpasses can support a sign. 

On another bad bridge example, the Garden State Parkway SB at Exit 129 did once have two signs on the CR 514 overpass for the left Turnpike ramp, and one for NJ 440 and US 9 to Woodbridge and Perth Amboy service road that both were not turned straight.  It was readable  to the Exit 129 motorists easily still but also seen on the NJ Turnpike NB outer roadway below it.  However it works as the overhead panel for Routes 9 and 440 are so placed right before Exit 11 departing interestingly enough for US 9 and NJ 440.

I don't know if it was done on purpose or ended up being that way and became a de facto extra set of guides for the Turnpike as well, but interesting that the guide signs can control the interest of two roadways simultaneously.

[Flint1979]

Well Michigan just got done with the I-75 construction in Saginaw County where they widened it from six lanes to eight lanes between MM 148 and 150. During this reconstrucion of I-75 they rebuilt the M-46 interchange and it includes a new bridge which doesn't feature any signage on it. instead they have it mounted about 50 feet south of the bridge not on the bridge at all. So with that said I'm not sure if they still do it or not but if they do it doesn't really matter. I would say it's a good use of a bridge.

[webny99]

In practice, I don't believe New York still does this. There's evidence to support this on I-490 westbound: 2018 vs. 2021. There's definitely still examples out there, though; mostly older signs that will hopefully move to gantries if/when they're replaced.

If it's done properly, angled overpasses can support a sign. 

Yes, take a look at my second example above to see how a sign on an angled overpass can be installed properly. It should be perpendicular to the roadway even when the overpass is angled.

[andrepoiy]

Here's another sign mount with an angular bridge:



https://goo.gl/maps/KB3GvGo3avngmjSS7

[CtrlAltDel]

IL-I-355X20ANG by Paul Drives, on Flickr

Which is weird, since the sign is offset a bit:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7859484,-88.0557484,38m/data=!3m1!1e3

[TheHighwayMan3561]

Minnesota still does. MnDOT may have stopped doing it for a brief time when the concerns about bridge load management came to a head a few years ago, but appear to have resumed putting new sign installs on bridges,

[tolbs17]

Minnesota still does. MnDOT may have stopped doing it for a brief time when the concerns about bridge load management came to a head a few years ago, but appear to have resumed putting new sign installs on bridges,

Is it related to the I-35W bridge collapse that happened on August 1st, 2007?

[SkyPesos]

A pretty high up and angled bridge mounted sign on MO 364.

[tolbs17]

A pretty high up and angled bridge mounted sign on MO 364.

For that, NCDOT would put a cantilever in the middle and it would be like this.

[UCFKnights]

I know Nebraska, Florida (and many other states), still mount them on the bridge.

Does Florida still mount new signs on bridges? I haven't seen a sign mounted to a newer bridge in like 10 years, and they now build sign structures right in front of new bridges on many projects.

[tolbs17]

I know Nebraska, Florida (and many other states), still mount them on the bridge.

Does Florida still mount new signs on bridges? I haven't seen a sign mounted to a newer bridge in like 10 years, and they now build sign structures right in front of new bridges on many projects.

University Pkwy
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qi1mpjV8NSieGEgt9

This interchange was rebuilt like 4 years ago so therefore they still do.