That's Not My (State's) Route! (Signing Routes Across State Lines)

[Katavia]

Alternate, albeit more lengthy title: "What happens when state DOTs try to sign their neighboring state's routes?"
(I'm unsure if a thread of this nature already existed, but I couldn't find any relevant threads in a cursory search with the forum search tool)

Interstate / US routes are fine, this doesn't need to be limited to state route shields. Both correct assemblies and errors are fine, especially if (for the latter group) they are particularly egregious or otherwise look like garbage.

To start off with a basic example to help show what the idea of the thread's about: Here's how NCDOT signs I-85 SC Exit 106 (US 29 to Grover/Blacksburg) from north of the state line.
Note the center exit tab and the lack of width on the US 29 shield (and also the font difference), compared to SCDOT signs closer to the interchange.

This sign on GSV: https://goo.gl/maps/ww7kzNutDh614maj9
For comparison, SCDOT sign at interchange: https://goo.gl/maps/vQqQ8cvauEUwdkz56

[SkyPesos]

(I'm unsure if a thread of this nature already existed, but I couldn't find any relevant threads in a cursory search with the forum search tool)

Here: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=9922.0

[hbelkins]

I wonder which state does this the most? There are plenty of OH 7 signs along WV 2.

[MATraveler128]

An example on I-84 east in New York for NJ 23 just over the river from Pennsylvania.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.3544457,-74.6844864,3a,75y,118.3h,79.43t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sCnV3ZEMI4Uqv8qeEiCoqKQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[Max Rockatansky]

CA 62 from AZ 95 in Parker:

https://flic.kr/p/RSTYFL

[hotdogPi]

A sign for NH 107 from I-95 northbound. MA 107, the route shown, is behind you, and the two routes don't connect,



By the way, this thread can be merged with the one mentioned in reply #1; since this one started after the most recent post in the other thread, there won't be any mixing of posts.

[Scott5114]

I wonder which state does this the most? There are plenty of OH 7 signs along WV 2.

My guess is Missouri (two major metro areas on state lines).

[MATraveler128]

I wonder which state does this the most? There are plenty of OH 7 signs along WV 2.

Vermont has a lot of examples on the NH border where I-91 is signed across the river. Here's one example.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.6321551,-72.3195202,3a,75y,232.66h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sh4StlsozzI9BYFVVXwxgvg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656


There's also at least one example in New York where VT 9 and VT 279 are signed on the New York side of the border.

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.8793898,-73.2912496,3a,75y,108.38h,73.91t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1soL-7t10jy77rVTOluiJVZQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[TheHighwayMan3561]

MN 95 trailblazer at WIS 35/WIS 243 junction in Osceola, WI: https://www.google.com/maps/@45.3188299,-92.7054749,3a,15y,306.3h,89.63t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s-ZomJx-Tx_VmTdj97kQq4A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

WIS 35 on I-94 in Lakeland, MN (was covered for a construction closure at the time): https://www.google.com/maps/@44.9612689,-92.7751376,3a,30y,114.5h,90.79t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sReqTDJxwfV-4oMsp_6u3SQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

MN 95/Washington CSAH 18 on I-94 in Hudson, WI: https://www.google.com/maps/@44.9630374,-92.7376273,3a,15y,241.68h,97.52t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1shp6sKG-HrGG1cHBMSaWjLQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

US 75 and Clay CSAH 52 on I-94 in Fargo, ND: https://www.google.com/maps/@46.8480299,-96.7837333,3a,15y,154.32h,90.18t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sdG_82XuuB6XYRAQzqt5wyQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

TO I-35 trailblazer on US 2 in Superior, WI (WisDOT style, even): https://www.google.com/maps/@46.720348,-92.1147353,3a,15y,318.63h,89.22t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sBlpuFmesn0n89NZ5riwlmg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[DRMan]

How does this work? Do states typically have trailblazers for their neighbors on hand?

[SP Cook]

How does this work? Do states typically have trailblazers for their neighbors on hand?

As far as WV and OH go, we just trade.  If you see a WV 2 sign in Ohio, it will have a WV DOH "bug"  on it, signifying it was made at the WV sign shop, and v-v. 

[Scott5114]

How does this work? Do states typically have trailblazers for their neighbors on hand?

These days you can usually just go to the appropriate state DOT website and download the spec sheet for the state route marker. (Some states make it easier to find than others, though.) This thread contains a bunch of such links. In some cases, you can find standards for basically anything online; Arizona had its old state line sign (the one with the state flag) online, so theoretically anyone (including me!) could make one and have it look exactly like ADOT official issue.

Before the Internet, this kind of thing would have required a phone call and mailing/faxing the standards between the DOTs. Which explains why some states would do things like use their own route shield for some other state's route, or a circle or square with the other state's abbreviation in it, or what have you. It was too much of a chore to track down the correct standards.

[hbelkins]

How does this work? Do states typically have trailblazers for their neighbors on hand?

As far as WV and OH go, we just trade.  If you see a WV 2 sign in Ohio, it will have a WV DOH "bug"  on it, signifying it was made at the WV sign shop, and v-v.

There are supplemental signs at the Greenup Dam exit on US 52 (it's an Ohio state route, I think OH 253) that has supplementary KY 10 and AA Highway route markers installed. It's very obvious that someone from the Bluegrass State either snuck across the river to install them, or gave them to the Buckeyes to put on the sign.

[jp the roadgeek]

At least NYSDOT tried here, because they sure as heck didn't try here

[plain]

At least NYSDOT tried here, because they sure as heck didn't try here

I'd say that first one is a damn good attempt.

[vdeane]

^ The road around the second used to be part of NY 124, so it would have said "south NY 124", which probably got "south" changed to "to Conn" when NY 124 was truncated.  After that, "replace in kind" probably took over.

[jp the roadgeek]

At least NYSDOT tried here, because they sure as heck didn't try here

I'd say that first one is a damn good attempt.

As a reciprocal for the first one, MassDOT didn't even try.  Plus, a totally unnecessary and erroneous directional

But at least they didn't get it as wrong as CTDOT got it here for MA 7A

And CTDOT did a similar thing to the MassDOT NY 22 sign here

[JREwing78]

Not sure if the sign was a WisDOT production, but they get Illinois 75 correct here: https://goo.gl/maps/DAZTA1dNNXB6HW7T7

About 500 ft farther down, IDOT put up their own sign, basically identical, and invisible until you reach the State Line Rd overpass: https://goo.gl/maps/gLiAW7sAPX8rsxLR9

[LilianaUwU]

Québec signs New Brunswick's route 11 where it ends at QC 132:

QC 132 EB at NB 11 SB by Liliana Vess, on Flickr

The province also signs New Brunswick's TCH 2 approaching the A-20/A-85 split:

A-20 EB at A-85 SB - 3 by Liliana Vess, on Flickr

[andrepoiy]

Ontario signing various neighbouring shields with okay quality:

Quebec (good):



But Quebec doesn't use "to/vers" signs!:



Interstate: "81" too small? (also love the "Hill Island" control city... Ontario just has to sign something within the province!):



NY State Route: Probably should not have a white outline?:



NY State Route: Hurray! This one doesn't have it!




Curiously, these are I believe the only US shields signed. For some reason no US shields are signed at the busiest crossings (windsor/detroit, niagara crossings)

[Road Hog]

Arkansas has TxDOT-spec BGSs on I-30 a couple of miles into the state, but I am certain those were contractor-installed from about a decade ago. US 69/75 in Oklahoma also has TxDOT-spec signage in advance of the Red River which I'm sure a TxDOT crew slipped north of the bridge to install.

[Bruce]

Some BC shields on a Washington sign:

[Bruce]

And on WA 290 near Liberty Lake:

[Scott5114]

Behold, the worst New Mexico shield you'll ever see.
https://www.google.com/maps/@31.7989277,-106.535104,3a,15y,326.67h,94.33t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sqoC4Aebt1yDRF77M_NBoFQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[Max Rockatansky]

Behold, the worst New Mexico shield you'll ever see.
https://www.google.com/maps/@31.7989277,-106.535104,3a,15y,326.67h,94.33t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sqoC4Aebt1yDRF77M_NBoFQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Makes up for the indigent way New Mexico treats US 85.