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

[amroad17]

What in bloody crike happened to those I-95 and 295 shields behind the 156?! Ugggggggha! Daaaaamn they ugly! Ooof. Damn contractors! Did they just plop those ugly ass numbers from, like, Photoshop, onto those shields, especially the US 156? Like, bro. Isn't that why (loosely) most contractors use a particular program, like, oh, I know, SIGNCAD, something like that? I'm surprised the US 10 sign survived that ugliness!

Incredible "derp" signage.  What started in Norfolk around 1990 has expanded across the central part of the commonwealth.

[roadfro]

In any case, some of these signs (like the hexagonal curve linked previously) could easily be regular size and shape with a modified mounting. Seems like that would've been easier than making a custom sign.

Which, in case anyone has (understandably) forgotten by now, is where this conversation started.

I hadn't forgotten. I didn't really convey it well in my first post, but I'm more wondering about the thought process... if I were designing and had a clearance situation with a sign, my first thought would be alternative mounting and not "design a sign on a custom shaped blank". Gotta think the latter method would be more expensive...

[kphoger]

I'm more wondering about the thought process... if I were designing and had a clearance situation with a sign, my first thought would be alternative mounting and not "design a sign on a custom shaped blank". Gotta think the latter method would be more expensive...

I don't know.  I could see it the other way too.

This situation is bound to exist in other locations within the district as well.  Design a sign blank once, and use existing mounting hardware that every office has on hand.

[jakeroot]

Here is a six-sided warning sign, but it's much closer to diamond in shape with just some of the corners cut off.

WA-512, Tacoma.

[Big John]

Here is a six-sided warning sign, but it's much closer to diamond in shape with just some of the corners cut off.

WA-512, Tacoma.

That is the most that could be cut off without affecting the wording.

[tmoore952]

Clunkily worded sign from 1970s that was unique to me (in that I never saw another one like it), so I'll write about it here.
No pictures, this was well before I was even driving so I had no ability to take pictures of signs with the cameras of that time.

I used to live in northern Delaware, and we often needed to go to Philadelphia International Airport to pick up or drop off people. At that time I-95 was not completed between the Girard Point Bridge (northern end of gap) and a point north of PA 420 and south of the airport (southern end of gap). That part was not completed until 1985. I remember the northbound interstate going over rumble strips and ending at a stoplight at PA 291, where you turned left to continue going north towards the airport and beyond.

So - when coming south on PA 291 from the airport, you would turn right onto I-95 south.
Before that turn, there was a rectangular green sign on the side of the road that said  - spaced up and down as I remember it:

"I-95 (not spelled out --just a shield which had a Pennsylvania designation) South
Chester
Wilmington
Keep Moving"

By early 80s, a standard black-on-white "Keep Right" sign had been installed ON TOP of the "Keep Moving" text.
In 1985, that old termination point became an interchange when I-95 was completed, but the entire sign was gone by then.

That is the only time I ever saw "Keep Moving" on a sign.
However: (1) I was not that well-traveled and (2) I mostly missed the time (too young) when interstates were only open in segments and there were more of these termination points.

So I am not that sure how unique the usage of "Keep Moving" was.

[LilianaUwU]

Clunkily worded sign from 1970s that was unique to me (in that I never saw another one like it), so I'll write about it here.
No pictures, this was well before I was even driving so I had no ability to take pictures of signs with the cameras of that time.

I used to live in northern Delaware, and we often needed to go to Philadelphia International Airport to pick up or drop off people. At that time I-95 was not completed between the Girard Point Bridge (northern end of gap) and a point north of PA 420 and south of the airport (southern end of gap). That part was not completed until 1985. I remember the northbound interstate going over rumble strips and ending at a stoplight at PA 291, where you turned left to continue going north towards the airport and beyond.

So - when coming south on PA 291 from the airport, you would turn right onto I-95 south.
Before that turn, there was a rectangular green sign on the side of the road that said  - spaced up and down as I remember it:

"I-95 (not spelled out --just a shield which had a Pennsylvania designation) South
Chester
Wilmington
Keep Moving"

By early 80s, a standard black-on-white "Keep Right" sign had been installed ON TOP of the "Keep Moving" text.
In 1985, that old termination point became an interchange when I-95 was completed, but the entire sign was gone by then.

That is the only time I ever saw "Keep Moving" on a sign.
However: (1) I was not that well-traveled and (2) I mostly missed the time (too young) when interstates were only open in segments and there were more of these termination points.

So I am not that sure how unique the usage of "Keep Moving" was.

Like this?

[elsmere241]

Yes, it was something like that, except that the "Keep moving" was in mixed-case.  (I grew up in Newark, DE and remember that sign well.)

[tmoore952]

Clunkily worded sign from 1970s that was unique to me (in that I never saw another one like it), so I'll write about it here.
No pictures, this was well before I was even driving so I had no ability to take pictures of signs with the cameras of that time.

I used to live in northern Delaware, and we often needed to go to Philadelphia International Airport to pick up or drop off people. At that time I-95 was not completed between the Girard Point Bridge (northern end of gap) and a point north of PA 420 and south of the airport (southern end of gap). That part was not completed until 1985. I remember the northbound interstate going over rumble strips and ending at a stoplight at PA 291, where you turned left to continue going north towards the airport and beyond.

So - when coming south on PA 291 from the airport, you would turn right onto I-95 south.
Before that turn, there was a rectangular green sign on the side of the road that said  - spaced up and down as I remember it:

"I-95 (not spelled out --just a shield which had a Pennsylvania designation) South
Chester
Wilmington
Keep Moving"

By early 80s, a standard black-on-white "Keep Right" sign had been installed ON TOP of the "Keep Moving" text.
In 1985, that old termination point became an interchange when I-95 was completed, but the entire sign was gone by then.

That is the only time I ever saw "Keep Moving" on a sign.
However: (1) I was not that well-traveled and (2) I mostly missed the time (too young) when interstates were only open in segments and there were more of these termination points.

So I am not that sure how unique the usage of "Keep Moving" was.

Like this?

Yes, that's close.

However, the sign was very old (close to peeling) and I believe(?) the sign was rectangular, not square. It was on the side of the road (the square sign looks like an overhead sign). And I agree with elsmere241 that Keep Moving was in mixed case.

In addition, the shield didn't look like that. The "9" and the "5" numbers were fatter (covered more of the shield), and "Pennsylvania" was more spread out. I remember seeing this particular 95 shield a lot in the 70s. Can't speak for after that. Possibly this type shield could still exist at interchanges (like under a "JCT" sign)? I don't live in the area anymore so can't easily check.

I do NOT see said shield in the Pennsylvania shield page on this site.

The "95" shield I am thinking of has "fat" numbers. Looks a lot like what I remember seeing in the median of the NJ Turnpike, but obviously wo the "Pennsylvania" designation.
On this site, the 1957 specification for Interstate 95 with "District of Columbia" designation looks most like what I remember, but obviously what I remember had a "Pennsylvania" designation. I have posted a link. This is along the right lines, except that the linked sign is way too new-looking.

https://www.aaroads.com/shields/show.php?image=DC19580951

[ClassicHasClass]

Weird stuff in Fresno (putting out the Max-Bat-signal).

When the text don't fit and you don't care.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2KVdFTG258cYggkTA

"Should we put the exit only panel on the right like everyone expects, or put on the left and mush it all together so it kind of points to the correct lane?"
"Uh ... let's go with plan B." (also on the other side of the highway)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Y6aVd8UGPKesUaSq5
https://maps.app.goo.gl/PfRq7iRpc7PKyg9E7

[Max Rockatansky]

The next 16 miles west of Cloudcroft on US 82 graphically illustrated:

0 by Max Rockatansky, on Flickr

[74/171FAN]

IN 4 EB at IN 23 in North Liberty has SR 23 in text on a yellow sign below the STOP sign.  (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219534072262931&set=a.10219534495353508)



Michigan St NB at Kern Rd in South Bend, IN, has US 31 TRUCK ROUTE written in text. (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219534054222480&set=a.10219534495353508)



US 31 BUS (South Bend) NB signage in South Bend, IN  (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219534112383934&set=a.10219534495353508)



And US/IN 933?  (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219534058422585&set=a.10219534495353508)



A yellow school speed limit sign on Calumet Ave in Munster, IN.  (https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10219529627671819&set=a.10219529679833123)

[roadman65]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/azK629z1g9JzwZJt5
Odd to see two separate advanced guide panels for a cloverleaf interchange.

[roadman65]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/5QZ74gNg1qAFARNC7
What is the LED sign talking about to the right?  The Arrive Cam App that is. This is unusual and odd for a sign.

[Big John]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/5QZ74gNg1qAFARNC7
What is the LED sign talking about to the right?  The Arrive Cam App that is. This is unusual and odd for a sign.

and gas prices on the left part of an official sign?

[74/171FAN]

Ohio DOT loves being abnormal.  (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219547341834662&set=a.10219547465077743) (in Newark, OH)

[ClassicHasClass]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/5QZ74gNg1qAFARNC7
What is the LED sign talking about to the right?  The Arrive Cam App that is. This is unusual and odd for a sign.

ITYM ArriveCAN: https://www.canada.ca/en/border-services-agency/services/splash-arrivecan.html

[wanderer2575]

Fairly new dancing arrows on wbd US-30 in Breezewood:



(For reference, here are the previous signs:)

[jeffandnicole]

Fairly new dancing arrows on wbd US-30 in Breezewood:

Nearly everything about this is pretty bad.

[74/171FAN]

^Honestly, it looks nothing different than the dancing arrows all around Columbus, OH.

Anyway back in PA on PA 21 EB east of I-79 near Jensen Hollow Rd.  (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219551007806309&set=a.10219551118889086)

[wanderer2575]

A few unusual (I thought) signs I came across during last week's vacation stop in Halifax, Nova Scotia:

Half the road closed for building construction.


Bicyclists at this intersection are to use the crosswalks instead of making a direct left turn from the traffic lane:


Trucks may not proceed straight during overnight hours:

[74/171FAN]

I found this blue sign at the Hershey West Distribution Plant entrance while trying to regroup after my planned route of taking Hockersville Rd to US 422 was closed due to an event.  (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219554817901559&set=a.10219555039387096)

[freebrickproductions]

I'd say the other signs are a bit unusual as well, though make sense given the context.

[74/171FAN]

US 422 EB at Dutchway Dr/Private Dr in Myerstown, PA (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219554855022487&set=a.10219555039387096)



On Graphite Mine Rd SB at PA 100  (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219554906623777&set=a.10219555039387096)



An odd US 30 text reference from the McDonald's parking lot at the US 30/PA 401 intersection. (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219554947224792&set=a.10219555039387096)

[Rothman]

This NY state park signage looks inverted to me:

Inverted State Park Sign