Does your state still use full gantries to install DMS?

[tolbs17]

Seems like NCDOT moved away from the full gantry DMS (Dynamic message sign) signs. Now they are being replaced with raised platforms either being in the middle of the median or on the side. This is probably to keep trucks from hitting the signs and keep bridge clearances open.

Examples: https://www.google.com/maps/@36.149474,-80.1667232,3a,75y,278.3h,90.73t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sVltOn1Y5-AEw9buTnMHv2g!2e0!5s20211201T000000!7i16384!8i8192

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.1728315,-79.9414989,3a,75y,53.7h,91.39t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sRs7-C5eWYtTwbmzZRAIpww!2e0!5s20211201T000000!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DRs7-C5eWYtTwbmzZRAIpww%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D165.88203%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.1384673,-79.850685,3a,47.2y,94.8h,91.84t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1scgrk3hjQ-VgcsMxIgBr9FA!2e0!5s20211201T000000!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3Dcgrk3hjQ-VgcsMxIgBr9FA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D331.5948%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.2728934,-78.0181499,3a,38.3y,86.35h,94.77t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1subWBegfYcnLAJbfJyFSQ9g!2e0!5s20211201T000000!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DubWBegfYcnLAJbfJyFSQ9g%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D244.29877%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656

And these ones are going to be coming down as part of the I-95 widening project

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.3521073,-78.4801156,3a,75y,339.79h,86.85t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sd__zeQCUmSR8ulHhMCrKyg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3Dd__zeQCUmSR8ulHhMCrKyg%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D82.727196%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.4431876,-78.5343389,3a,47.7y,190.79h,97.12t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sR7EwVVo375v0VelTzzySlg!2e0!5s20211201T000000!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DR7EwVVo375v0VelTzzySlg%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D213.79051%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

[TheHighwayMan3561]

MN still uses full gantries, but have more recently installed more smaller ground-mounted ones on sub-freeway roads.

[ran4sh]

I don't see why an overhead sign to the left or right would be better than one that's actually over the lanes.

[tolbs17]

I don't see why an overhead sign to the left or right would be better than one that's actually over the lanes.

And NCDOT did the opposite because it's probably too keep the bridge clearances free

[JMAN_WiS&S]

I think WisDOT just installs either or where necessary. Around the Eau Claire area we have both, with a gantry mounted one on USH 53 NB north of the Golf Rd interchange, being 4 lanes wide at that location. Everywhere else along 53/29/94 they seem to just use side mount in this area. I know there is a gantry mounted MnDOT DMS over I94WB in Hudson. A new DMS is set to be installed on USH 12/Clairemont ave in Eau Claire where the road is 3 lanes, however they chose side mount median for that install, likely due to the high amount of overhead clutter in this area already.

[SkyPesos]

For Ohio, it varies a lot by DOT district. District 8 (Cincinnati) is mostly overhead VMS, and still doing it like that. OTOH, VMS in District 6 (Columbus) are mostly side mounted, either with a monotube or a single pole. I'm not sure about the other districts. Though a benefit of overhead VMS is that it's generally longer than side mounted ones, and therefore can fit more information.

[tolbs17]

The only time I see NCDOT mounting DMS's on full gantries is when they are on a toll gantry. Haven't seen recent placements since 2007-2008ish.

[Revive 755]

For Illinois:

* IDOT did have a few cantilevered DMS's in the plans for Contract 62D79 in District One from the September 2021 Letting (link - the sign details start at Sheet 154)

* The Tollway did put in a few cantilevered ones on I-90 (example

[US 89]

Utah uses full overhead monotube gantries in all cases except on Legacy Parkway, where they are generally mounted on the side of the road. As far as I know, there are no cantilever DMSs in the state.

[Great Lakes Roads]

For Indiana:

INDOT does still put DMS on full gantries.

The ITR also put their DMS on full gantries, except they do theirs differently.
There's this one: https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6107115,-87.4553902,3a,75y,83.16h,87.83t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sCRJsHm592or0dK9Q3J1ytA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

And there are a few that go over the road fully like this one: https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5794742,-87.0855894,3a,75y,71.85h,92.02t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sGpuGccOwiHJ1fCngHZxjWA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[roadfro]

Many of Nevada DOT's early DMS installations were on sign bridges that spanned the whole roadway. Newer installs are typically cantilevered (often from the right side of the road), unless they are also being installed at a location where another sign would also be installed, then it's a full sign bridge.

[tolbs17]

Never seen a cantilevered DMS here in North Carolina. I've only seen ones on raised metal platforms and full gantries.

[MASTERNC]

It varies in Pennsylvania.  Most are now on single pedestals off to the side of the road or in a median.  There are definitely some one-offs where space is limited, such as I-76 and I-95 within Philadelphia and one on I-276 near the Mid-County interchange.  The latter actually has one DMS for each direction.

https://goo.gl/maps/3R7WBgmwueDe5yQ68

[Mr_Northside]

In my PA experience, I'd say it's pretty mixed.  Some of the ones that have gone up in the PGH area over the years (decades)? have utilized existing overhead assemblies, some on new ones - and plenty of road-side mounted ones.  I feel like the Turnpike mostly uses side mounted - with some exceptions (like the one MASTERNC posted above, and in between the Allegheny Valley & Butler Valley exits on this side of the state, and some others).
I suspect unless there are clear reasons due to the nature of the road (curves, visibility, that stuff), they'll go with whatever is the cheapest option (and I'm sure a side mount is a lot cheaper than an overhead gantry - unless you can utilize a gantry that already exists)

I will also note that most of the freeways have a certain standard size Daktronics VMS - but (at least around here) they've deployed a smaller version VMS (or DMS if you so desire).
I've never seen any of the full-size ones on a cantilevered structure in PA.... but I know of at least one of the smaller ones on a cantilevered support on PA-65 heading into the city after the McKees Rocks Bridge signal.

https://goo.gl/maps/4MXroEiNmba78N6W8

[fwydriver405]

I think NHDOT and the Maine Turnpike Authority are a bit mixed on this, but both NHDOT (see below), and the Maine Turnpike Authority (between Exit 44 and 42 southbound) recently installed full gantry DMS's on recent roadway rebuilding projects.

MaineDOT either mounts them like this, or most likely, you will see a portable DMS on I-95, I-295, US 1 and 1A for example. The overhead signs in Penobscot County used to mostly display travel time info, but for the past 1 ½ years, they have been mostly blank (not sure they are broken?). The portable DMS's have been taking over as travel time signs more recently...

Most of the portable DMS's on MaineDOT interstate freeways used to replace signs advising motorists that the speed limit has been reduced to 45 MPH.

[wriddle082]

I have seen two types used in recent SCDOT installs.  A couple of years ago I saw a new full gantry sign go up on I-77 southbound near Exits 6 and 5, which happen to serve Williams Brice Stadium where the USC Gamec(r)ocks play football.  Last year on I-77 southbound between Exits 22 and 19, they put up a tall single-pole model off to the right side.  This one looks similar to the ones NCDOT puts up but not quite as tall, and it's the first one of that type that I've seen in SC.

[EpicRoadways]

MN still uses full gantries, but have more recently installed more smaller ground-mounted ones on sub-freeway roads.

Interestingly, there were a couple smaller DMS's along US-10 in Clear Lake and Becker that were installed last year on cantilevered overheads. There are also some scattered around the metro. I suppose they aren't "true" full-width DMS's, though.

[jeffandnicole]

NJDOT uses ground mounted ones too often.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Daz1DDhL7j1p3WDh6

Including in really stupid locations, such as here on I-76 at I-295 North behind an Exit sign at a gore point with 2 exit lanes to the right and 5 thru lanes to the left.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bxBTsZdACZ6JoBFq8 ,
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gTpXWUAgrz2gZodr5

[Henry]

I don't know about the rest of WA, but in the Seattle area, they put a small VMS on the side with lane indicators filling up the remaining space, like on I-90 in Bellevue: https://www.google.com/maps/@47.5798684,-122.1836359,3a,56.7y,264.41h,96.71t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sX5sH7yOzH3CkE2QyZSH7EQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

FTR, I prefer VMSes on full gantries, because they are the best way to convey the same message to everyone who's traveling on the roads.

[Pink Jazz]

ADOT seems to mostly be using roadside T posts to mount DMS now.