Florida

[florida]

Early plans for I-4 just north of downtown Orlando? Or just shit made up by the cartographer?
http://www.historicmapworks.com/Map/US/1637427/Page+043/Orlando%2C+Winter+Park%2C+Maitland+and+Vicinity+1968+Subdivision/Florida/
http://www.historicmapworks.com/Map/US/1637438/Page+054/Orlando%2C+Winter+Park%2C+Maitland+and+Vicinity+1968+Subdivision/Florida/

No clue, but I'm liking the "Florida Highway 15 527" on Orange and all the various "Alt US 17 & 92", "Alt Fla 50", "Alt Fla 15 600" listed on there.

[NE2]

15 was signed on Orange from South/Anderson to the diagonal crossing in Winter Park (600 used Robinson to pick up Mills south of Colonial). As for the alternate routes, I have no idea if they were signed (page 55 shows them turning north on Mills).

[florida]

Oh, so 15 was concurrent with 527 up to Winter Park? I just thought it was through downtown. I have a map somewhere from ~1975 that shows 15 on Bumby between Robinson and 50, but it could just be one of those 'silent' leg routes as with 600 on Robinson. If 600 used Robinson, was 526 signed along the same route?

[NE2]

Scratch what I said above - after checking with sources, I see that I remembered incorrectly.


In 1945, West Colonial had not yet been built out to Ocoee, so 50 turned south on OBT and west on OWG. 526 began at OBT and Robinson and went only to OEA. As for 15 and 600, the 1945 definition of 600 takes it east on Kaley and north on Mills, but no such route was ever built. 15 would have joined with 600 somewhere around Lake Lancaster, and then crossed east of downtown on Mills (as it does now) with 600.

By 1955, 50 had been realigned; 15/600 used Robinson to Mills. 526 either overlapped 15/600 or had multiple segments (it already had a fork at the east end).
http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00016513/00001/1x?vo=3

It gets a little confusing on later maps.
1957: http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00016514/00001/1x?vo=3 - several possibilities assuming various degrees of mapo
1960: http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00016517/00001/1x?vo=3 - 600 still on Robinson (but may have used Orange-Colonial-Mills); 15 clearly marked on Curry Ford-Orange-Colonial-Mills
1971 inset: http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00016512/00001/1x?vo=3 - 600 is on Colonial; 15 is unclear (Mills from Robinson to Colonial is city-maintained to the present day, which is why the thin line is used)
1977: http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00016508/00001/1x?vo=3 - 15 now uses Conway-South/Anderson to Orange, but it is still unclear if it used Robinson or Colonial to Mills
1982: http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00016509/00001/1x?vo=3 - final configuration, though 5098 is unlabeled

I didn't find any maps with a number on Bumby. Along with Virginia/Forest/Corrine/Bennett, it was state-maintained until 1980. These were probably improved with federal aid as connections to the NTC.

[florida]

I didn't find any maps with a number on Bumby. Along with Virginia/Forest/Corrine/Bennett, it was state-maintained until 1980. These were probably improved with federal aid as connections to the NTC.

This is part of a map collection I have from FDOT.

[NE2]

Whoa. That's kind of weird. Does Bumby have a number?

Any other numbers that don't match other maps? Possibly 418 on the south part of 417?

Then there's this map that has a CR 5097 on Michigan: http://digitool.fcla.edu/ImageServer/dtlscrollnav.jsp?filename=L2V4bGlicmlzMS9kdGwvc3RvcmFnZS8yMDA4LzA1LzEzL2ZpbGVfMS81NDM1NA==&display_plugin=false

[florida]

Bumby is 499 with the south end at Pershing. There is a complete set each of Primary and Secondary routes for all counties, which account for some of the missing numbers in the highway system numbering. No mention of either 417 or 418 on this map, but it does show the general routing of both 417 and 429.

That map you linked is quite wonky. All the 4-digit routes, two of them state routes and SR 723 in the panhandle. I want to go back to FDOT's office because they have these same types of maps, but for the 4-digit routes.

Secondary Route pics:

[NE2]

Speaking of SR 526, I found this: http://www.occompt.com/attachments/article/4774/06-03-1957%20Minutes.pdf

By letter dated May 6th addressed to the Hon. Wm. H. Dial, member of the State Road Board, the City of Orlando requested that a certain portion of Crystal Lake Drive be included as a part of State Road 526.  The matter having been reviewed by Mr. Dial, and having received his report, a motion was made by Commissioner Murdoch, seconded by Commissioner McDowall, and unanimously carried, the Secondary Road Funds Program be amended by adding that part of Crystal Lake Drive from the present terminus of State Road No. 526 at Robinson Avenue to the terminal point at Crystal Lake Drive and Palmer Street.

(Palmer Street is south of South/Anderson, where Lake Underhill Road used to empty out.)

[Brian556]

Old Sign Find:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=29.505765,-81.945541&spn=0.000019,0.012531&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=29.505642,-81.945559&panoid=i8vF8p5QSAzyNVbdVgMuKg&cbp=12,199.26,,1,0

[Brian556]

Two vintage state road marker finds. Has anybody photographed these?

1.. SR 4 sign w/keys on CR 191 (N of Milton). This one appears to be in pretty good condition for it's age.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=30.857437,-86.873102&spn=0.000074,0.050125&t=m&z=15&layer=c&cbll=30.857338,-86.873171&panoid=Lsm1I1DTg1RgspWkSlA38A&cbp=12,58.66,,0,0

2. This one is not legible on streetview, but it could be a C- route. The signs at SR 710 say this is CR 714, so my best guess is that this sign says C-714.
     It is located on Fox Brown Rd (NE of Lk Okeechobee)

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=27.161579,-80.55429&spn=0.000076,0.050125&t=m&z=15&layer=c&cbll=27.161688,-80.5543&panoid=gWjiBiyr9W71QTtXV1_Heg&cbp=12,45,,0,0

[Alex]

Two vintage state road marker finds. Has anybody photographed these?

1.. SR 4 sign w/keys on CR 191 (N of Milton). This one appears to be in pretty good condition for it's age.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=30.857437,-86.873102&spn=0.000074,0.050125&t=m&z=15&layer=c&cbll=30.857338,-86.873171&panoid=Lsm1I1DTg1RgspWkSlA38A&cbp=12,58.66,,0,0

Have not seen the potential 714, but the 4 keys shield on CR 191 yes. Last photographed it in April 2011; here is flaroads' photo from 2009:

[formulanone]

Hmmm...never noticed any shields along Fox Brown Road before. Nearby CR 714 has a few, but nothing special.

CR 714 between 609 and 710 wasn't fully paved until 1996.

[mefailenglish]

2. This one is not legible on streetview, but it could be a C- route. The signs at SR 710 say this is CR 714, so my best guess is that this sign says C-714.
     It is located on Fox Brown Rd (NE of Lk Okeechobee)

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=27.161579,-80.55429&spn=0.000076,0.050125&t=m&z=15&layer=c&cbll=27.161688,-80.5543&panoid=gWjiBiyr9W71QTtXV1_Heg&cbp=12,45,,0,0

cue TPIR loser horns:


But CR 714 between 710 and 609 is surprisingly scenic (IMHO) for South Florida:

[xcellntbuy]

Very scenic.  It reminds me of some of the quieter residential areas of Coral Gables in Miami-Dade County.

[Brian556]

mefailenglish, thanks for the posting the SR 714 sign pic. I figured someone would have one. Interesting that it wasn't mounted in such a way that there could've been a marker for WEST 714 on it. A quick check shows a WEST CR 714 sign west of the intersection.

[Brian556]

This has got to be the widest, goofiest TOLL SR marker ever. Good lord.
I-595/SR 84 at Nob Hill Rd
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=26.107046,-80.281917&spn=0.000019,0.012531&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=26.106815,-80.281897&panoid=K-unpSLzsi6jxFHKHEmBxw&cbp=12,1.71,,1,0

The temporary signs for the other direction arn't any better:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=26.10667,-80.282078&spn=0.000019,0.012531&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=26.106897,-80.282101&panoid=FW5b1yLWvqQ7iVhYxhOSOA&cbp=12,179.96,,0,0

Also, at multiple locations in this work zone, yellow diamond PEDESTRIAN CROSSING signs with little arrows spray painted on them are used to show pedestrians where to go, not to warn motorists of pedestrians:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=26.117624,-80.330053&spn=0.00001,0.006266&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=26.117624,-80.330053&panoid=kAlrVkRNCSaP2xP5ZCV0kw&cbp=12,48.11,,1,0
I don't know if Bob's Barricades or the contractor is to blame for these. Has anybody seen these on any other project signed by Bob's?

[formulanone]

cue TPIR loser horns:

Still, that's an SR shield where a CR shield should go. So, although you don't win the car, you get the vacation* to Orlando (for you and a guest), and a chance to spin the big wheel.




* must sit through timeshare seminar, which doesn't spend any time explaining the FDOT mileage cap.

[pbrisebois]

Hello All,

Later this week I will be driving from Savannah, GA to Sarasota. I'm wondering what the locals think is the best route to take. Google Maps gives me 2 options.

The first goes down I-95, west on I-10, then south on US301 to Ocala and then onto I-75 down to Sarasota. The problem with this is that I've heard about a few speed traps on US301 between I-10 and I-75. I'm not a crazy driver, but I do tend to do about 5mph over the speed limit, and I'm not real keen on having to drop down my speed every 20 miles or so.

The other option Google gives me is south on I-95 to I-4 then west to I-75. This route is obviously all interstate, but I'm worried about the traffic in the Orlando area, and to a lesser extent in central Jacksonville.

I was wondering if anyone can give me an opinion. I will be leaving Savannah around 9am on Friday.

[agentsteel53]

I'd avoid Orlando... it kinda sucks.  if you're worried about 301, just set your cruise control to 2mph below the limit, and you will really lose only about 10 minutes of time.

[D-Dey65]

What I usually do when I drive up to the New York Tri-State area is take I-75 to Florida State Road 40 in Ocala, then run into Silver Springs until I reach Marion County Road 314. Then I turn north until I reach Florida State Road 19 in Salt Springs and go north through Ocala National Forest until I reach US 17 in Palatka, where I can legally go 55-60 mph except in places like Green Cove Springs. Getting into Jacksonville I take I-295 until I reach I-95 and from there I'm off to the Big Apple.

Try doing the exact opposite, and you can avoid the speed traps of US 301, and the long ways around the interstates.

[NE2]

I-75 has pretty heavy traffic north of Tampa, and only four lanes until the Turnpike merge.

I-4 through Orlando's really not bad outside rush hour, except eastbound always seems clogged past Disney. For example, right now (4 PM) the Goog shows all green except some yellow approaching the SR 408 interchange downtown.

Another possibility is to stay with SR 19 from Palatka to Groveland and then continue on SR 33 to I-4. You may get a bit of traffic in the Eustis-Tavares area but the rest is wide open.

You can see a map of the speed limits on state roads here: http://www.itoworld.com/map/124?lon=-82&lat=29&zoom=9&fullscreen=true

[formulanone]

I'd avoid Orlando... it kinda sucks.  if you're worried about 301, just set your cruise control to 2mph below the limit, and you will really lose only about 10 minutes of time.

If you hit I-4 Orlando between 10am and 2pm, you should be okay (barring incidents, naturally), but it's not a place I frequent to know if there's any ongoing construction.

US 301 through the Florida towns of Lawtey and Starke requires careful attention, but there's plenty of Reduced Speed Ahead signs (a strict 35 mph for about a mile in both cases). The school zones in both cases are heavily enforced at 15 mph, although only for about 300-500 feet. Obey the speed limit, and you'll do fine. Interestingly, the town of Starke, which lies between those two infamous towns, has an even lower speed limit of 30, but traffic is more dense, and there's more stop lights.

I'll second that FL 19 is quite scenic. So is SR 20 from Palatka to Hawthorne (where connects to US 301, and completely bypasses Lawtey - Starke - Waldo; however, it's far from the fastest way across).

[agentsteel53]

US 301 through the Florida towns of Lawtey and Starke requires careful attention, but there's plenty of Reduced Speed Ahead signs (a strict 35 mph for about a mile in both cases). The school zones in both cases are heavily enforced at 15 mph, although only for about 300-500 feet. Obey the speed limit, and you'll do fine. Interestingly, the town of Starke, which lies between those two infamous towns, has an even lower speed limit of 30, but traffic is more dense, and there's more stop lights.

I believe, in this paragraph, you meant "Waldo" at least once?

I've heard bad things about all three: Lawtey, Starke, and especially Waldo - the general consensus seems to be that Waldo is the worst.

[formulanone]

I believe, in this paragraph, you meant "Waldo" at least once?

I've heard bad things about all three: Lawtey, Starke, and especially Waldo - the general consensus seems to be that Waldo is the worst.

Yes. My brain's in the shop; the rental brain is slower, and somebody smoked in it.

Lawtey is so small, it's unsuspecting...that's what I've heard. If you miss the signs in Waldo, you're effectively blind, to be fair.

Lawtey also has a number of Keys Shields just off US 301.

[realjd]

Hello All,

Later this week I will be driving from Savannah, GA to Sarasota. I'm wondering what the locals think is the best route to take. Google Maps gives me 2 options.

The first goes down I-95, west on I-10, then south on US301 to Ocala and then onto I-75 down to Sarasota. The problem with this is that I've heard about a few speed traps on US301 between I-10 and I-75. I'm not a crazy driver, but I do tend to do about 5mph over the speed limit, and I'm not real keen on having to drop down my speed every 20 miles or so.

The other option Google gives me is south on I-95 to I-4 then west to I-75. This route is obviously all interstate, but I'm worried about the traffic in the Orlando area, and to a lesser extent in central Jacksonville.

I was wondering if anyone can give me an opinion. I will be leaving Savannah around 9am on Friday.

The best answer is I-95 to I-4 to SR-417 to I-4 to I-75. I'm surprised nobody mentioned it yet. Using SR-417 to bypass Orlando is well worth the $8 or $9 in tolls, and the toll booths all still take cash. I-4 is usually OK during midday like NE2 said but it always has a slowdown WB heading through downtown (too many lane drops too quickly IMO) and I'll very regularly encounter random traffic jams in the vicinity of SR-535 out near Disney. With SR-417, the speed limit is 65 almost the entire way and traffic is very often nonexistent.