Why does the DOTD use blank service signs along exits where no services are even located, but snub the Pineville Expressway (US 71-167-La 28) and include none? I've also noticed a strong lack of service signs inside of Alexandria on I-49, especially with plenty of gas stations and food places, not to mention lodging. Example - I-49's NB exit with US 71N, aka LSUA exit, has service signage. I-49's SB exit with Sugarhouse Road, used to access US 71N, has no service signage.
I don't think they post those signs in urban areas. I can see a few logic points: 1) You're in a city. You can find food, gas and lodging somewhere. 2) If the exits are close together, you could end up putting too many signs in a short distance. 3) That's what billboards are for.
(These logic points apparently don't hold for I-12 coming into Baton Rouge, which has these signs.)
I-10 and I-12 have blue service signage in the middle of Baton Rouge. US 167, a full freeway, has no service signage outside of Tioga or at the US 165 exit... there's not many billboards along the Pineville Expressway either. In fact, to top it off, US 165 at US 167 has Wendy's, McDonalds, Sonic, Huddle House, Burger King, Popeyes, Taco Bell, Outlaw's, Ryan's, Pizza Hut, etc... it also has Sleep Inn, Days Inn, Country Inn and Suites, AND you have a Shell, Chevron, Circle K, Murphy USA. All of these national companies would be just as willing to put their names on blue signage as the same places in large cities.
I've sent an email to the DOTD. I'm hoping I get a clear answer as to why there are no service signs along the expressway (and I-49), and the absence of exit tabs on the Pineville Expressway, while US 71 has exit tabs where it isn't even an expressway.
Anyways, for Western Louisiana, US 84 is in the planning stages of being widened through Jena, and LA 8 is getting a brand new bridge south of Harrisonburg.
And for the question earlier about LA 1258, it's the result of I-49 being built. Old Boyce Road was sliced in half, and realigned to meet the new LA 498 interchange. LA 498 Spur was the old number, but since the spur lead nowhere, they decided to renumber it as a 12XX route. Spurs are kept, apparently, to run from one state route to another (LA 415 Spur is an example, or LA 987-3 Spur). Old Boyce Road south of LA 498 SHOULD be a parish road, but due to the massive amount of truck traffic, it's kept as a piece of the state system. Truck traffic refers to the truck stops, CNG refueling station, and restaurants and hotels.
By the way, US 84 will be four-laned in Logansport, Winnfield, Jena, Jonesville, and between Ferriday and Natchez (as US 65-84). The state knows better than to four-lane the road in rural areas before LA 28 is four-laned!