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

[jeffandnicole]

^^ Companies have to pay to put their name/logo on those blue signs

Why?

And even if they do, the increased customer base from long-distance or mid-distance Interstate travelers would surely be worth the extra expense, wouldn't it?

Providing LOGOS for two separate locations of the same company at a single exit IMO serves little useful purpose.   Especially as an Interstate traveler looking for a quick fuel or food stop is going to go to the location closest to the interchange anyway.

Both businesses are probably owned and/or operated separately, and thus both purchased the right to have their sign posted independent of each other.  Also, if there are two Speedways someone may know that they can get the brand of fuel they want, no matter if they turn left or right based on the dining options available.

Another example, this time with Wawa: https://goo.gl/maps/6pqhofvsSc82  Odd thing here is that both are open 24 hours, and both have diesel.  Only one sign was updated to reflect that though.  The distance from the ramp is about equal.

[chays]

Looks like it belongs in an advertisement.  Certainly attention-getting:
https://goo.gl/maps/wENMMfnrqe32

[jeffandnicole]

Sign in transport. On NJ 29 headed to somewhere on Rt. 73. Left down arrow is hidden by the pick up.  Note the 73 shield doesn't have the traditional black square behind it. Even though that is the standard now, many new NJ BGSs still have that black background. Of course, control cities aren't supposed to be bridges either. NJ won't concede everything to the feds!!

[bzakharin]

Hmm, there are only a few pull-thrus on NJ 73. The one at CR 534 has "Marlton / Tacony Br." The one at Cross Keys Rd. is "Mount Laurel". The one at NJ 90 has "to US 130". So that leaves the one at NJ 38 and the one at US 130 as candidates for replacement. Those say "Tacony Br". Unless they are building new ones, maybe at the Turnpike or I-295?

[jeffandnicole]

Hmm, there are only a few pull-thrus on NJ 73. The one at CR 534 has "Marlton / Tacony Br." The one at Cross Keys Rd. is "Mount Laurel". The one at NJ 90 has "to US 130". So that leaves the one at NJ 38 and the one at US 130 as candidates for replacement. Those say "Tacony Br". Unless they are building new ones, maybe at the Turnpike or I-295?

You mighta guessed right with the Route 38 location, based on the 511 report for tonight...

[thenetwork]

Is it just me, or does that 73 look a little crooked?

[kkt]

Is it just me, or does that 73 look a little crooked?

It's not just you.  The three is higher and to the right of center.

[tckma]

Looks like it belongs in an advertisement.  Certainly attention-getting:
https://goo.gl/maps/wENMMfnrqe32

That's pretty standard signage in Canada (or at least in Ontario) for something that's changed.

[jeffandnicole]

Is it just me, or does that 73 look a little crooked?

I thought the same thing.

[HTM Duke]

While doing some reconnaissance for a planned summer trip, I came across this at the intersection of VA-72 and VA-83: https://goo.gl/maps/7niNtu94e9x
While I have seen VDOT address problematic T-intersections with multiple chevrons before, this is a new method of emphasis to me.

[paulthemapguy]

Found this today outside the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, IL

[hbelkins]

While doing some reconnaissance for a planned summer trip, I came across this at the intersection of VA-72 and VA-83: https://goo.gl/maps/7niNtu94e9x
While I have seen VDOT address problematic T-intersections with multiple chevrons before, this is a new method of emphasis to me.

I see they also doubled up the guardrail there.

I've been through that intersection a few times. Anyone who runs that stop sign probably deserves to land in the creek. 

[jay8g]

Not only is this a weird divided highway ahead sign, there is no median (painted or otherwise) anywhere near the sign...

[jakeroot]

Not only is this a weird divided highway ahead sign, there is no median (painted or otherwise) anywhere near the sign...

I can only assume it was placed there following a previous setup, but alas, it seems pretty odd now.

OT: I've always liked that flush median warning sign that Oregon uses, though I don't see the point if both flushed and raised medians are legally one in the same (in Oregon, as far as whether or not you can drive across flush medians).

[kkt]

Not only is this a weird divided highway ahead sign, there is no median (painted or otherwise) anywhere near the sign...

The center line changes to a double yellow as you approach the junction with route 230, at the bend in the road ahead.  That's probably what they mean, even if it's the wrong sign.

[signalman]

While doing some reconnaissance for a planned summer trip, I came across this at the intersection of VA-72 and VA-83: https://goo.gl/maps/7niNtu94e9x
While I have seen VDOT address problematic T-intersections with multiple chevrons before, this is a new method of emphasis to me.

I see they also doubled up the guardrail there.

I've been through that intersection a few times. Anyone who runs that stop sign probably deserves to land in the creek. 

I admit that I've never been through this intersection, and based on the imagery I tend to agree with HB's statement.  Just trying to be objective; is this area prone to thick fog?

[paulthemapguy]

This is a temp sign, but I thought it was interesting.  I really appreciate how they brought specificity to which lane was being closed!  Someone get this contractor a trophy.

IMG_4054 by Paul Drives, on Flickr

[opspe]

Not only is this a weird divided highway ahead sign, there is no median (painted or otherwise) anywhere near the sign...

The center line changes to a double yellow as you approach the junction with route 230, at the bend in the road ahead.  That's probably what they mean, even if it's the wrong sign.

This sign is quite common in Oregon.  It indicates the center line is divided ahead, i.e. no physical median, only striped road surface.  Typically it's placed before a highway widens to accommodate a left turn lane at an intersection.  It does seem like an unusual placement here though, best guess I can offer is that OR 62/230 is slightly divided at that T-junction, or that ODOT just put it there to confuse people and slow them down.

[jbnv]

Watch for alligators.

[Jim]

Guessing this is a locally-constructed item here in Amsterdam, New York.



One block at the top of the steep hill on Prospect Street is one way, and this sign is intended to make sure drivers on that block keep right to avoid uphill drivers where it becomes two way.  Prospect Street connects Market Street (NY 30) with Church Street (NY 67).

It also seems to me that both panels below should have the lines down and to the right to indicate to keep right.

[J N Winkler]

Not only is this a weird divided highway ahead sign, there is no median (painted or otherwise) anywhere near the sign...

That sign is a standard sign in Oregon.  I don't recall offhand whether they use the variant that is actually shown in the MUTCD for raised islands.

Oregon also has another completely unnecessary standard sign (dating back to the 1940's at least in basic design and in much of its verbiage) that explains the passing rules according to centerline striping.

[mrsman]

Guessing this is a locally-constructed item here in Amsterdam, New York.



One block at the top of the steep hill on Prospect Street is one way, and this sign is intended to make sure drivers on that block keep right to avoid uphill drivers where it becomes two way.  Prospect Street connects Market Street (NY 30) with Church Street (NY 67).

It also seems to me that both panels below should have the lines down and to the right to indicate to keep right.

This is a very bad sign for this purpose because it appears to be a one-way sign.  Better to use a standard keep right sign and to emphasize the need to keep right.   It would also be helpful to paint a double yellow line around this island.

[SignGeek101]

Found this at a church near my local park-and-ride transit lot.



+10 for creativity but -10 for Helvetica, so we're even.

[kphoger]

That reminds me of my sister. She has never wanted to have children. As such, when she was in high school, she stole a "watch out for children" road sign.

[D-Dey65]

This is a temp sign, but I thought it was interesting.  I really appreciate how they brought specificity to which lane was being closed!  Someone get this contractor a trophy.

IMG_4054 by Paul Drives, on Flickr

Better yet, somebody get MUTCD to make this and the left turn lane one official.

And here I was originally concentrating on the supplemental street name sign beneath the Illinois Route 58 shield.