text-based guide signs instead of shields

[wytout]

As far as on mileage signs is concerned, there isn't much to say about CT as these are a real rarity to begin with, and I don't think one in the state except for i-91 north coming into hartford has Mileage to a route number (it is an assembly of distances to left exits in hartford... these types of signs are usually not used at all in CT).  The only exception being mileage to the I 84 west interchange (left exit) and that is depicted with a button copy I-84 shield.  In MA I see both.  On the Mass Pike there are Mileage signs that give the distance to "I-495" in text format.  Yet all the signs around the Springfield area use shields on the distance signage.

[SSOWorld]

Do any other states use shields on distance mileage signs?

The Illinois Tollway has been using them.  Many of theirs around Chicagoland also include the name of the expressway or tollway.  IDOT has only one that I know of on I-80 westbound between US-45 and I-355.

hmmm - Haven't seen those - what IL does last I checked is used BGS's to indicated mileage (having the next three exits on the sign bridge - both tollway and IDOT.

[deathtopumpkins]

I've seen both in Virginia, though typically shields are used.

[Brandon]

The Illinois Tollway has been using them.  Many of theirs around Chicagoland also include the name of the expressway or tollway.  IDOT has only one that I know of on I-80 westbound between US-45 and I-355.

hmmm - Haven't seen those - what IL does last I checked is used BGS's to indicated mileage (having the next three exits on the sign bridge - both tollway and IDOT.

They have a few.  This is one (please forgive the Google image),

I-355 North of the Spring Creek Toll Plaza: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=41.585144,-88.004855&spn=0,359.995505&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=41.584843,-88.00467&panoid=6S9Ql_0KlrvOrjYqgKANpA&cbp=12,8.92,,0,5.38 The shields are for I-55, I-88, and I-290, respectively.

I've also seen a few on the Tri-State Tollway and the East-West Tollway.  Those carry the name of the expressway or tollway as well as the shields.

[SSOWorld]

From the reconstruction - they're changing what they do then.

[TheStranger]

Do any other states use shields on distance mileage signs? I've only really noticed it in Florida, but I can't say I paid that much attention elsewhere.

California definitely does do that, the one example that comes to mind is I-280 southbound in Santa Clara County a few miles before the Route 85 interchange, in which "Jct 85" is on a distance sign, with shield.

[LeftyJR]

I'm surprised no one's mentioned PA 60 near New Castle which is covered in them.

US 422 has them as well, but they are a dying breed.  US 220 had all text guide signs near Lock Haven before it was rehabilitated this past year.


Pennsylvania used all text guide signs for interchanges with state and US routes (Interstates always used shields) for a time in the 60s and 70s, then they briefly began to use US and PA shields with a black outline as had existed on former 279 at Saw Mill Run Boulevard until 2000.

And all of those signs on US 220 are now Clearview!  Talk about a drastic change.

[TheStranger]

Saw two NEW text-based signs on 101 southbound in San Mateo tonight...both approaching Highway 92.  "Junction 92" on two straight distance signs, no shield or anything.

[agentsteel53]

those must be extremely new, as I did not notice them when I was there on the 3rd of this month.

[The High Plains Traveler]

Does anyone know what the rationale is to avoid shields and use the text-based number representation?  The idea shows up in the 1961 AASHO interstate signing guide, without explanation: on one page, a sign with a shield, and on the next one, a text-based sign.  So I am guessing the various states picked up the habit, but ... why?  Shields look so much better!

New Mexico used these before the mid-1970s. I think it was first-generation interstate signage and didn't survive the conversion to signs with exit tabs - I know of none today.

[joseph1723]

Ontario used to use them for the QEW on some signs before the '90s. Now they use the letters "Q.E.W." inside a standard Ontario BGS crown. They're still used for some decommissioned highways where they never renamed the road after decommissioning them and on some VMS guide signs with the abbreviation HWY.

Here's a current picture of a guide sign for former Highway 27:


Here's a picture of a old style QEW guide pull through sign which used "Queen Elizabeth Way" instead of QEW inside a BGS crown like the one for Highway 2 there.

(picture from vintagekingshighways.com)

[citrus]

Richmond, RI: RI-112 at RI-138: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=richmond,+ri&sll=32.881,-117.238&sspn=0.042239,0.090895&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Richmond,+Washington,+Rhode+Island&ll=41.49994,-71.659688&spn=0.004709,0.011362&z=17&layer=c&cbll=41.500022,-71.659664&panoid=hCLBCTmCjEPnQZmswAon9g&cbp=12,69.43,,0,-0.35

On WB 138, there's a brand new TO I-95 shield with "I-95" in the shield.

[Sykotyk]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned the abomination that is the signage on I-29 for I-129 in Sioux City:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=sioux+city,+ia&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Sioux+City,+Woodbury,+Iowa&gl=us&ei=0ns_S4y8OM6UtgePzPmSCQ&ved=0CBEQ8gEwAA&ll=42.440688,-96.37516&spn=0.031544,0.109863&z=14&layer=c&cbll=42.441102,-96.37521&panoid=4QS4_fI9I6aU2oRw_emJKA&cbp=12,353.11,,0,-8.15

Shields and text on the same sign. Ridiculous.

Sykotyk

[mightyace]

Near my Dad's house in Bloomsburg @ Exit 241 on I-80 intersecting US 11.  (Button copy, too!)

US 11 Northbound


US 11 Southbound


I-80 WB Exit 241 Ramp


Center tabbed as well!  If you look closely, you can see the where the old exit numbers 36S and 36N were removed.

[Truvelo]

Here's a newish looking one

[Brandon]

Heh.  And if you'll notice ^^ that Wisconsin has a nasty habit of referring to everything as "Hwy" regardless of class.  16, 35, and 157 are state routes, and 53 is a US route.  Don't worry though, WisDOT does the same thing to interstates.

[shoptb1]

Arkansas has started using shields on the clearview mileage signs in lieu of the previous spelled-out text for both listing urban exits, and also long-distance interstate junctions.  The following signs are on I-40 after the sign replacement.

[TheStranger]

Although one of the accidentally-all-text Route 92 references on US 101 in San Mateo has been given retoreflective greenout as of late, the other is still up:

[Ian]

In case no one has mentioned it yet, Massachusetts used to have all text on their paddle signs:

[agentsteel53]

a tradition that goes back at least 80 years.



1930 photo.  Note the classic Massachusetts font!

[Ian]

  That paddle sign would look great in my bedroom!

[WNYroadgeek]

NY 198 has a ton between NY 33 and Elmwood Ave: http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/ny/ny_198/

[florida]

As far as I can think, this is the only one I've come across down here.

[kurumi]

Connecticut did this in the late 1950s for the CT Turnpike; see Michael Summa's photos at Steve Alpert's site: http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/ct/i-95/s.html. Often the town name was above the "Conn ###" designation on the sign.

Florida also had these signs circa 1977 when I lived there, e.g. "FLA 704" signs on I-95.

[Michael in Philly]

In case no one has mentioned it yet, Massachusetts used to have all text on their paddle signs:

Used to?  They don't do that any more?  That's too bad.  It was sort of endearlingly quirky.