Unique, Odd, or Interesting Signs aka The good, the bad, and the ugly

[Pete from Boston]

Does "One Way Only" imply that signs just reading "One Way" indicate one way of various ways you could choose? 

This really changes things.

[andy3175]

Here's a sign for 95 on a trail in the Columbia area. It's way up there!


Photo by Elliott Plack, on Flickr

I have increasingly seen signs like this on other trails that pass over/under a freeway. I've even started to see interpretive signs talking about the impact of the freeway (I don't have any pictures to share, but there's one in particular that I should photograph and post to show what I've found). I think this sort of thing is a growing trend.

[SignGeek101]

I didn't whether to post this in "Worst of" or "Best of". After all, it is one of the oldest signs around the city, but that patch... 



GMSV: http://goo.gl/maps/2Q05a

[Occidental Tourist]

For what it's worth, this sign has been installed for a long time. I'm still not sure what the green-out covers.

I believe it was an SR 509 shield.

[Kacie Jane]

I believe it was an SR 509 shield.

While 509 isn't that far away, and certainly might have been signed at this interchange before I-705 was a thing, now that we know the sign dates only to 2002, I find that highly unlikely.

While I have no proof (and I'm not sure how we might now be able legally obtain proof), I'd be willing to bet a small sum of money that it covers an erroneous SR 705 shield.

[hbelkins]

I didn't whether to post this in "Worst of" or "Best of". After all, it is one of the oldest signs around the city, but that patch... 



GMSV: http://goo.gl/maps/2Q05a

I've seen similar on many older signs in Ohio.

[Occidental Tourist]

I believe it was an SR 509 shield.

While 509 isn't that far away, and certainly might have been signed at this interchange before I-705 was a thing, now that we know the sign dates only to 2002, I find that highly unlikely.

While I have no proof (and I'm not sure how we might now be able legally obtain proof), I'd be willing to bet a small sum of money that it covers an erroneous SR 705 shield.

If the sign dates to 2002, then I agree with you it's probably not 509.  My basis for assuming so was how they've signed this gantry on I-705.  I was guessing that while they were completing the freeway they had portions of it signed as 509.

[bigboi00069]

Forgive me if this has been posted, but while driving south on I-39/90 in Illinois just south of the Wisconsin state line, i noticed an "Alcohol Limit" sign that says .08. At first glance it really confused me as it looks way too much like a real speed limit sign.

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.4736187,-88.9952287,3a,45.3y,224.06h,84.14t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sPXxucoZQY9ba6u8lJrV1Tw!2e0

[D-Dey65]

Here's a sign for 95 on a trail in the Columbia area. It's way up there!


Photo by Elliott Plack, on Flickr

Almost makes me wonder if there should be something similar on the Withlacoochee State Trail under I-75. Or perhaps even under US 41 in Inverness once that road is widened and the bridge is replaced.

[roadman65]

https://www.google.com/maps/@30.475783,-83.887993,3a,37.5y,324.88h,89.51t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sc0fsWB9em8WfMmgGBiwJ6A!2e0
Check this one out with a missing arrow for Monticello 5. 

Is Monticello 5 miles to the right or left?

This sign should also be including Thomasville, GA as the ramp its for has Thomasville as one of its control cities.

[steviep24]

Some old text only BGSes on NY 252 in Rochester/Henrietta.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.091001,-77.647141,3a,75y,102.09h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sODpQBbioEk-HP1xCe0YZLw!2e0?hl=en

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.08918,-77.641097,3a,75y,102.09h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1se1wotoCNSEqecSFNqsuoZA!2e0?hl=en

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.087138,-77.632033,3a,75y,281.43h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sTo4OHC1p4cDQXRsnNWRVbw!2e0?hl=en

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.089172,-77.640634,3a,75y,284.39h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sZi4iqenX1TKiRUnJXpBGrA!2e0?hl=en

[cjk374]

https://www.google.com/maps/@30.475783,-83.887993,3a,37.5y,324.88h,89.51t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sc0fsWB9em8WfMmgGBiwJ6A!2e0
Check this one out with a missing arrow for Monticello 5. 

Is Monticello 5 miles to the right or left?

This sign should also be including Thomasville, GA as the ramp its for has Thomasville as one of its control cities.

I have seen a sign around here somewhere where the one arrow...next to the control point on the bottom of the sign...was meant for both towns listed.

[roadfro]

https://www.google.com/maps/@30.475783,-83.887993,3a,37.5y,324.88h,89.51t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sc0fsWB9em8WfMmgGBiwJ6A!2e0
Check this one out with a missing arrow for Monticello 5. 

Is Monticello 5 miles to the right or left?

This sign should also be including Thomasville, GA as the ramp its for has Thomasville as one of its control cities.

Assuming the MUTCD is being followed and the arrow is just missing, Monticello should be straight ahead (or possibly also to the left). Distance and destination signs are recommended to have destinations listed in straight-left-right order from top to bottom, and the right arrow would be on the right side of the sign.

[Kacie Jane]

My basis for assuming so was how they've signed this gantry on I-705.  I was guessing that while they were completing the freeway they had portions of it signed as 509.

I assume you're taking about the "reassurance markers" on either side. I see your point, but my assumption would be those aren't actually reassurance markers (that is, they are/were not intended to indicate that you're actually on 509 north). Rather, when combined with the HC signs, it's a nonstandard way of saying that hazardous cargo may (or perhaps must) take 509, particularly if they can't take the 11th Street Bridge.

[freebrickproductions]

One of the few signs that I know of in the Tennessee Valley that doesn't use Clearview or Highway Gothic:
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.695756,-86.000906,3a,75y,116.34h,82.95t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1ssep-t2DBzwIRY95SG7FNoQ!2e0?hl=en
It's also the only Arial sign I know of in the Tennessee Valley, but I'm willing to bet that there is more out there.

[SignGeek101]

One of the few signs that I know of in the Tennessee Valley that doesn't use Clearview or Highway Gothic:
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.695756,-86.000906,3a,75y,116.34h,82.95t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1ssep-t2DBzwIRY95SG7FNoQ!2e0?hl=en
It's also the only Arial sign I know of in the Tennessee Valley, but I'm willing to bet that there is more out there.

That should be in worst. Even the signs around here don't look that bad. 

[freebrickproductions]

One of the few signs that I know of in the Tennessee Valley that doesn't use Clearview or Highway Gothic:
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.695756,-86.000906,3a,75y,116.34h,82.95t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1ssep-t2DBzwIRY95SG7FNoQ!2e0?hl=en
It's also the only Arial sign I know of in the Tennessee Valley, but I'm willing to bet that there is more out there.

That should be in worst. Even the signs around here don't look that bad. 

I think it looks pretty ugly myself, but I wasn't sure if it was bad enough to go there.

Also, Gurley, AL has street name signs that are black with white lettering. At one end, there is a black "G" in a white square.
http://www.instantstreetview.com/2d3dkfz1rdl76zikzphzbf
Also, does anyone know what font they use? It looks similar to Times New Roman.

[US71]

Has anyone mentioned LA1 at Shreveport yet?

[cjk374]

Has anyone mentioned LA1 at Shreveport yet?

I think someone mentioned it somewhere in The Worst of Road Signs...oh yeah...you did a little over 4 years ago:     

LA 1 gets hit with the Ugly Stick in Shreveport

I haven't been down N. Market St. in a few years.  Is that ugly thing still there? 

[bassoon1986]

^^^^^   (I didn't want to repost the ugly)

It's been gone a while now.

[roadman65]

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.527594,-74.299006,3a,47.3y,187.7h,96.47t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1scLBaOVSNu1WUuJmTZnPsjw!2e0
The Garden State Parkway entrance ramp signs were always cool to me with that slanted side complementing the arrow as you can see here.  Right side entrance ramps would have the right side slanted of course, but nonetheless a Parkway trademark either way.

[renegade]

The Garden State Parkway entrance ramp signs were always cool to me with that slanted side complementing the arrow as you can see here.  Right side entrance ramps would have the right side slanted of course, but nonetheless a Parkway trademark either way.

The Indiana Toll Road  and the Ohio Turnpike used to do that on their exit signs as well.  I always thought that was so cool.

[SignGeek101]

Never seen this before.

http://goo.gl/maps/DIkkp

Looks like the MTO pulled off a CalTrans or something.

[AsphaltPlanet]

Never seen this before.

http://goo.gl/maps/DIkkp

Looks like the MTO pulled off a CalTrans or something.

Those are quite common in Ontario now:



I've been told that the reason for the integrated tab has to do with wind loading.

Hwy 407 ETR uses its own unique partial gantry design along the tollway which does have a normal tab.  407 considers this gantry design to be propriety and will not share the design with the MTO.

[roadman65]

The Garden State Parkway entrance ramp signs were always cool to me with that slanted side complementing the arrow as you can see here.  Right side entrance ramps would have the right side slanted of course, but nonetheless a Parkway trademark either way.

The Indiana Toll Road  and the Ohio Turnpike used to do that on their exit signs as well.  I always thought that was so cool.

Ontario does on the QEW gore EXIT signs.