I guess the question here is, does the latest version of MdMUTCD differ from the Federal MUTCD in terms of allowing usage of the Clearview font?
The
Maryland MUTCD makes no mention of fonts at all (I just checked), so presumably what applies at the federal level also applies in Maryland.
And while this stretch of I-95 is a tolled facility; the recent sign changes along both the Garden State Parkway & the New Jersey Turnpike to more MUTCD-style/compliant signage seems to indicate that toll facilities are being mandated to conform regardless of whether or not federal funding was received.
In the past, MDTA has generally been pretty aggressive about compliance with the federal MUTCD (I think of a few signs on their system that might not comply, but they are quite rare). One that comes to mind on I-895 northbound will be gone pretty soon, since it is on the soon-to-be-replaced Canton Viaduct, the first sign informing motorists of Exit 10, Holabird Avenue.
This is a sign that has been copied from its predecessors several times (dating back to the 1960's, maybe earlier) and is of an especially elderly design. Curiously, the second sign is of a much more modern design.
My suggestion upthread that MDTA might not want to comply was speculative at best.