Road Sign Theft "Victims"

[TheHighwayMan3561]

Minnesota only has one physical MP 420, which is on US 59 near the Canadian border in a very rural area (the US 59 crossing north of Lancaster is so infrequently used that a controversial plan to close the customs station at 4 PM daily has been floated in recent weeks). I'm not sure if enough frat boys go that route to make it a frequent theft target.

US 71 has over 420 miles in Minnesota, but the MP 420 itself falls along its MN 11 duplex where the latter route's mileposts are used.

[Scott5114]

I met a guy in the geology department at MoDOT who said the most frequently-stolen sign in Missouri was–you guessed it–US 69. Of course, I don't know that a geologist would talk to the sign guys all that much, so take that as you will.

[CNGL-Leudimin]

On the same vein I once noticed they had stolen a kmpost 69 (in GSV is there, but it was gone in October 2015).

[jemacedo9]

There is a Batman Rd south of Allentown PA on PA 29/100 that is placed very high as well, since that one keeps getting stolen.

[thenetwork]

Not too far north of Ann Arbor, MI, there would be green directional signs to Hell, MI. that were favorite targets of college kids.

[MCRoads]

There's Colorado with Mileposts 419.99 and 68.99 to deter sign thieves.

Oregon was poised to sign the Beltline Highway around Eugene as Oregon 69, to match its hidden highway number. However, before it could be signed in the field, concerns about theft were raised. It was originally proposed to be changed to Oregon 14, but was instead given Oregon 569 instead, making it Oregon's highest signed route number.

As far as mileposts go, I don't think there's a single highway whose mileposts go up to 420, but plenty make it to 69. Some, like on the Sunset Highway, are still there, but it's a bitch to get to. Others, like on I-5 at Sexton Summit (hehe) are attached to the pass sign itself. I'll have to do a rundown of all state highways on GSV and see which ones still exist.

I-5 in Washington used to have a blank milepost at MP 69, but now there are small "6" and "9" stickers placed in both directions. No clue about I-90.

hehe, SEXton summit, i want that

[vdeane]

Others, like on I-5 at Sexton Summit (hehe) are attached to the pass sign itself.

I would think that would make it an even greater target for theft.  At least for that one, anyways.

[Otto Yamamoto]

Joey Ramone Place at E 2 St and The Bowery. The sign is nearly to the top of the lamppost now.

P00I

[mapman1071]

Joshua Tree  Paradise Valley, AZ
MP 420 US 89 North of Flagstaff

[Max Rockatansky]

Joshua Tree  Paradise Valley, AZ
MP 420 US 89 North of Flagstaff

The worst offender in Arizona was probably US 666. Sign theft part was a huge arguement for getting it renumbered to US 191.  Surprisingly the historic US 66 and 89A signs don't seem to get stolen all that much. 

[triplemultiplex]

New Mexico has a blank sign at mm 420 on I-25.  Same shape and position as a mile marker, but it's solid white with retroflective paint.

[TheArkansasRoadgeek]

There's Colorado with Mileposts 419.99 and 68.99 to deter sign thieves.

Oregon was poised to sign the Beltline Highway around Eugene as Oregon 69, to match its hidden highway number. However, before it could be signed in the field, concerns about theft were raised. It was originally proposed to be changed to Oregon 14, but was instead given Oregon 569 instead, making it Oregon's highest signed route number.

As far as mileposts go, I don't think there's a single highway whose mileposts go up to 420, but plenty make it to 69. Some, like on the Sunset Highway, are still there, but it's a bitch to get to. Others, like on I-5 at Sexton Summit (hehe) are attached to the pass sign itself. I'll have to do a rundown of all state highways on GSV and see which ones still exist.

I-5 in Washington used to have a blank milepost at MP 69, but now there are small "6" and "9" stickers placed in both directions. No clue about I-90.

I assume the thevies of such signs don't like the resulting numbers or they want to show their mom that they found a sign with "420" or "69" on them...

[Finrod]

Joshua Tree  Paradise Valley, AZ
MP 420 US 89 North of Flagstaff

The worst offender in Arizona was probably US 666. Sign theft part was a huge arguement for getting it renumbered to US 191.  Surprisingly the historic US 66 and 89A signs don't seem to get stolen all that much.

Actually, US 666 got renumbered to US 491.  Hence my theory that 491 is the "secretly evil" number.

[CNGL-Leudimin]

The worst offender in Arizona was probably US 666. Sign theft part was a huge arguement for getting it renumbered to US 191.  Surprisingly the historic US 66 and 89A signs don't seem to get stolen all that much.

Actually, US 666 got renumbered to US 491.  Hence my theory that 491 is the "secretly evil" number.

Both are correct. US 666 ran from Monticello UT to Douglas AZ via CO and NM, being a North-South route with a East-West number. In 1992 Arizona decided to get rid of its section and extended US 191 (which until then ended in Chambers, not far from where US 666 departed I-40) over it, making it an almost border-to-border route (it did become one five years later when it was extended in MT from Malta to Morgan at the Canadian border). In 2003 the other three states decided to renumber US 666 to US 491, skipping 291 and 391 as they were in use as state routes in at least one state.

[jp the roadgeek]

This one in Simsbury, CT was always being stolen

[ColossalBlocks]

I met a guy in the geology department at MoDOT who said the most frequently-stolen sign in Missouri was–you guessed it–US 69. Of course, I don't know that a geologist would talk to the sign guys all that much, so take that as you will.

I guess that explains the lack of signage in Kansas City...

[jakeroot]

I-5 in Washington used to have a blank milepost at MP 69, but now there are small "6" and "9" stickers placed in both directions. No clue about I-90.

I-90 does not have any mile markers for milepost 69. I can find 70 and 68, but no 69. I-82 has an Exit 69, but the milepost is blank, like I-5: https://goo.gl/et4U9u

[Finrod]

Both are correct. US 666 ran from Monticello UT to Douglas AZ via CO and NM, being a North-South route with a East-West number. In 1992 Arizona decided to get rid of its section and extended US 191 (which until then ended in Chambers, not far from where US 666 departed I-40) over it, making it an almost border-to-border route (it did become one five years later when it was extended in MT from Malta to Morgan at the Canadian border). In 2003 the other three states decided to renumber US 666 to US 491, skipping 291 and 391 as they were in use as state routes in at least one state.

I did not know that.  Thanks for the information.

[kphoger]

Others, like on I-5 at Sexton Summit (hehe) are attached to the pass sign itself.

I would think that would make it an even greater target for theft.  At least for that one, anyways.

Seriously!  What person thought it was a good idea to put "69" right next to "Sex"?

[kphoger]

The worst offender in Arizona was probably US 666. Sign theft part was a huge arguement for getting it renumbered to US 191.  Surprisingly the historic US 66 and 89A signs don't seem to get stolen all that much.

Actually, US 666 got renumbered to US 491.  Hence my theory that 491 is the "secretly evil" number.

Both are correct. US 666 ran from Monticello UT to Douglas AZ via CO and NM, being a North-South route with a East-West number. In 1992 Arizona decided to get rid of its section and extended US 191 (which until then ended in Chambers, not far from where US 666 departed I-40) over it, making it an almost border-to-border route (it did become one five years later when it was extended in MT from Malta to Morgan at the Canadian border). In 2003 the other three states decided to renumber US 666 to US 491, skipping 291 and 391 as they were in use as state routes in at least one state.

I've seen precisely one US-666 shield (back when it existed).  It was mounted way up on a stoplight arm, where nobody could get to it.  IIRC, that was in Monticello (UT).  When I drove a portion of the highway back then, there were zero reassurance markers left un-stolen in the field.

[doglover44]

Why would anyone steel a sign ?

[jakeroot]

Why would anyone steel a sign ?

Much more durable than wood.

[Max Rockatansky]

Why would anyone steel a sign ?

Much more durable than wood.

Has better patina than the aluminum stuff too.

[epzik8]

I have one out in the sticks where I live in Harford County, north of Baltimore, that for some reason is a multiple-time victim of theft or damage.

This one just got stolen again this week! Can you believe it!!!

[kphoger]

Why would anyone steel a sign ?

Much more durable than wood.

A+