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

[Shedingtonian]

I happened across this one in Tulsa the other day.

In 2011, this was a perfectly good sign gantry: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xgStboN6Uw5KZpZt5

Some construction in 2014 replaced the signs with temporary orange ones: https://maps.app.goo.gl/m2ujr4hqxgcxr5aAA

Once construction ended, we got... whatever the hell this is: https://maps.app.goo.gl/KjmrNNBDeAL4vv5Y8

I assume it was "Take Your Kid to Work Day" and someone let their seven-year-old play around in FlexiSign.

Oh, for the mother that brought me into this world... I remember being age ten and my hand drawn signs looked better than that...

[Bobby5280]

We have a few of those "beauties" along I-44 and Rogers Lane in Lawton.

Here's one example, a sign where they've replaced worn-out/cracked lettering with the same error-laden layout:
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.6288846,-98.3873447,3a,75y,182.74h,85.22t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sBDc-A-7AoFHyDwcbTYrqIA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?authuser=0&entry=ttu

Just in case it's hard to spot the errors, notice the oversized "l" in "Plains or the oversized "r" in Auditorium. Some of the letter spacing, particularly on "Auditorium" is wacky. For years they had the word "McMahon" misspelled as "McMahan." They finally corrected that, but did nothing about the other stupid errors.

[roadfro]

I happened across this one in Tulsa the other day.

In 2011, this was a perfectly good sign gantry: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xgStboN6Uw5KZpZt5

Some construction in 2014 replaced the signs with temporary orange ones: https://maps.app.goo.gl/m2ujr4hqxgcxr5aAA

Once construction ended, we got... whatever the hell this is: https://maps.app.goo.gl/KjmrNNBDeAL4vv5Y8

I assume it was "Take Your Kid to Work Day" and someone let their seven-year-old play around in FlexiSign.

I'm intrigued by the fact that it looks like the original pull through sign on the left was put back up (single arrow over two lanes and all). But the exit direction sign on the right, despite the legend being the same in the before and after versions, got a new sign with awful design practices. Why didn't they reuse the old sign?

[D-Dey65]

It's not just me right? The rest of you think the destinations on this sign are in the wrong positions too?
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NB_GA_121-23;_Folkston_36;_St_George_13.jpg

[74/171FAN]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/53370682949
US 431 should be on top, not in the middle.

I have seen this on PA 26 north of Huntingdon just pass PA 36 heading north. (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219595235471973&set=a.10219595326354245) 

From a couple months ago.

On I-81 SB just before the merge from I-66 WB (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10220064951214573&set=a.10220065049697035)

[kphoger]

I actually wish the farther-away destination were supposed to be at the top.

In my mind, if an up-arrow means "ahead", then a farther-up destination should be farther ahead.

[roadman65]

I think all states should use Caltrans US shields like this https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/52078058824
Have to admit these do look cool.

[wanderer2575]

I happened across this one in Tulsa the other day.

In 2011, this was a perfectly good sign gantry: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xgStboN6Uw5KZpZt5

Some construction in 2014 replaced the signs with temporary orange ones: https://maps.app.goo.gl/m2ujr4hqxgcxr5aAA

Once construction ended, we got... whatever the hell this is: https://maps.app.goo.gl/KjmrNNBDeAL4vv5Y8

I assume it was "Take Your Kid to Work Day" and someone let their seven-year-old play around in FlexiSign.

Looks like they retained the original sign on the left for re-installation.  I wonder if the contractor damaged the original sign on the right during removal or storage.

[roadman65]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/52048711927
Here's an oddity for Caltrans. Using an actual shield on a guide instead of the normal text shield.

[epzik8]

On the topic of weird fonts, there used to be this on I-95 in Maryland (replaced with the reconfig of exit 77 and then more recently with express lane construction): https://www.google.com/maps/@39.4479092,-76.3272867,3a,37.5y,88.01h,86.74t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sesaLv7G0D96Amb6yGG8uRA!2e0!5s20110601T000000!7i13312!8i6656?entry=ttu

[kkt]

I think all states should use Caltrans US shields like this https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/52078058824
Have to admit these do look cool.

Ah.  Not busy at all!  It's July, but it's a Wednesday in the pandemic.

[bwana39]

Misspelled city name

https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/428703204_387705837225636_3126411556521517647_n.jpg?stp=cp6_dst-jpg_s600x600&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=3635dc&_nc_ohc=FHnT6apWa2cAX8TEfEw&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfA0mxIPyRsSTADBD1ORYGrjvqN4KtRihUir_s4yaWP50Q&oe=65EB69A1

[74/171FAN]

Jamestown Settlement shield in Williamsburg (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10220042942504369&set=a.10220042967144985)

[kphoger]

These green signs here in Wichita drive me nuts:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/UiqP8uEo23RPC89n6

[Big John]

These green signs here in Wichita drive me nuts:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/UiqP8uEo23RPC89n6

Pre-1971 MUTCD color scheme.

[74/171FAN]

On VA 36 WB crossing the Appomattox River in Petersburg (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10220044928954029&set=a.10220045064317413)

[GaryA]

Here's a combination that I pass fairly regularly:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/zYqZ4gwpb8gc3EZi7

If you're headed for US 101 South, the overhead sign correctly tells you to just stay in the right lane.  But the sign on the pole on the right makes it look like you should turn right immediately (which would put you in a motel parking lot).  A little further up (https://maps.app.goo.gl/2RFF9MS9GENBBapy9), there's another US 101 --> sign with nowhere to turn right, and an apparently random "Freeway Entrance" sign that leaves you wondering if you are supposed to be on the other side of the series of posts (you aren't, that's a bike lane, but it's not labelled at this point).  Finally, you pass under the freeway and are forced to turn right and merge with other traffic entering the freeway here.

(The "Freeway Entrance" sign is placed based on where the dashed line between the two traffic lanes becomes a solid line, then a gore point, as the two lanes split.  So it does make some sense if you look further into it, but on first glance you want to go "why here"?)

[roadman65]

Here's a combination that I pass fairly regularly:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/zYqZ4gwpb8gc3EZi7

If you're headed for US 101 South, the overhead sign correctly tells you to just stay in the right lane.  But the sign on the pole on the right makes it look like you should turn right immediately (which would put you in a motel parking lot).  A little further up, there's another US 101 --> sign with nowhere to turn right, and an apparently random "Freeway Entrance" sign that leaves you wondering if you are supposed to be on the other side of the series of posts (you aren't, that's a bike lane, but it's not labelled at this point).  Finally, you pass under the freeway and are forced to turn right and merge with other traffic entering the freeway here.

(The "Freeway Entrance" sign is placed based on where the dashed line between the two traffic lanes becomes a solid line, then a gore point, as the two lanes split.  So it does make some sense if you look further into it, but on first glance you want to go "why here"?)

That bike lane screws it all up. Yes the groundsigns should be removed or state" Right Lane" as that is the lane for US 101 SB.

[AABattery]

Here's one I pass by pretty often coming home, where the "business" part is inside the shield
https://www.google.com/maps/@37.2517803,-80.4111805,3a,19.1y,48.75h,94.5t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sN1_l-gb9T6MQnLlH9bRTaA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

[Big John]

^^ Georgia does that all the time for state routes that are BUS, ALT, LOOP etc.

[freebrickproductions]

^^ Georgia does that all the time for state routes that are BUS, ALT, LOOP etc.

Seen it once in/near Panama City, FL, as well.

[plain]

These green signs here in Wichita drive me nuts:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/UiqP8uEo23RPC89n6

I'm bothered by this one nearby

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZJDpk98ogvLzz6AS8

[plain]

Here's one I pass by pretty often coming home, where the "business" part is inside the shield
https://www.google.com/maps/@37.2517803,-80.4111805,3a,19.1y,48.75h,94.5t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sN1_l-gb9T6MQnLlH9bRTaA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

^^ Georgia does that all the time for state routes that are BUS, ALT, LOOP etc.

Seen it once in/near Panama City, FL, as well.

Maryland also does it (also note the redundancy with this particular sign)

https://maps.app.goo.gl/57TfhtSb1sjVns7q6

[ClassicHasClass]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/52048711927
Here's an oddity for Caltrans. Using an actual shield on a guide instead of the normal text shield.

Not too strange from the enamel-on-steel era, because the shade of green was different between the spades and the guide signs, so you'd see that periodically depending on how anal that particular Caltrans district was. Now that everything is the same retroflective crap, it's less common.

[freebrickproductions]

I'm bothered by this one nearby

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZJDpk98ogvLzz6AS8

A similar one exists here in Huntsville on the Parkway:
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.7368424,-86.5990956,3a,32.4y,186.73h,115.39t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s0NxeECpfqzxC6MJkzHnqOA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu