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National Boards => General Highway Talk => Traffic Control => Topic started by: Pink Jazz on November 17, 2014, 12:28:52 AM

Title: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: Pink Jazz on November 17, 2014, 12:28:52 AM
I was wondering, does anyone have examples of unconventional street suffix abbreviations used on signs (street name or BGS)?

I know in Virginia Beach, Virginia when I lived there, the city typically abbreviated "Lane" as "LA" rather than the USPS standard "LN".  The few signs that had "LN" were probably contractor errors who were probably unaware of the city's convention.  However, I am not sure if that is still the case with the newest post-2009 MUTCD mixed case signage.

Does anyone have other examples?
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: sammi on November 17, 2014, 12:43:34 AM
Quote from: Pink Jazz on November 17, 2014, 12:28:52 AM
"Lane" as "LA" rather than the USPS standard "LN".

Here the concession roads are sometimes suffixed Line, which gets the abbreviation "Ln", whereas Lane gets "La". That probably isn't the case in Va. Beach. :)

Toronto also abbreviates some suffixes differently. I think most streets are given two-letter abbreviations, even "Av" for Avenue, "Bl" for Boulevard, "Ci" for Circle, "Cr" for Crescent, and one even has "Pk" for Parkway. :pan:
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: freebrickproductions on November 17, 2014, 09:27:11 AM
Huntsville, AL uses Blv. for Boulevard on most of the street signs. There's also the occasional sign with Av. instead of Ave. for Avenue, but they aren't very common. The intersection of Clinton Avenue & Triana Boulevard has one such sign. (It also has a street sign with the Blvd. abbreviation, which is rather uncommon here) (http://www.instantstreetview.com/2d3vqyz1r87juzypzqqzbf)
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: Pete from Boston on November 17, 2014, 09:48:25 AM
FTWY. 

No, not a misspelled "FTFY," but the abbreviation the City of Boston has used for Hampstead Footway in Jamaica Plain, which is pretty much a set of stairs with a street sign. 
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: bzakharin on November 17, 2014, 09:53:04 AM
In my part of NJ, lanes are always abbreviated "la".

Not quite the same thing, but the New Jersey Railroad Avenue in Newark, NJ alternates between NJ Railroad and New Jersey RR on signs, although the former seems to be winning
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: vtk on November 17, 2014, 01:30:43 PM
Franklin County (OH) seems consistent in using Av instead of Ave, though there aren't a lot of intersections under county maintenance that have a road with such a name.

I think Av is common enough to not be called "unconventional" though.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: Pink Jazz on November 17, 2014, 02:52:00 PM
Quote from: vtk on November 17, 2014, 01:30:43 PM

I think Av is common enough to not be called "unconventional" though.

I don't consider "Av" to be unconventional, since I have seen it many places.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: 1995hoo on November 17, 2014, 03:52:53 PM
Outdated picture due to construction. I'll have to watch to see whether this sign is still there next time I go through there–some other nearby signs have been replaced. This is/was on northbound I-395 in Virginia at the "Turkeycock" HOV ramps between Edsall Road and Duke Street.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi31.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc378%2F1995hoo%2FRoad%2520sign%2520pictures%2F5f25e0d5.jpg&hash=82fc997611357c0e36b5b1eb33a36a6ce05eee95)
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: Pink Jazz on November 17, 2014, 04:45:02 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on November 17, 2014, 03:52:53 PM
Outdated picture due to construction. I'll have to watch to see whether this sign is still there next time I go through there–some other nearby signs have been replaced. This is/was on northbound I-395 in Virginia at the "Turkeycock" HOV ramps between Edsall Road and Duke Street.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi31.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc378%2F1995hoo%2FRoad%2520sign%2520pictures%2F5f25e0d5.jpg&hash=82fc997611357c0e36b5b1eb33a36a6ce05eee95)

For Turnpike, I have seen both "Tpke" and "Tnpk".  "Tpke" seems to be more common overall, although "Tnpk" isn't too unusual.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: 1995hoo on November 17, 2014, 06:18:45 PM
Yup, but I've never seen "Trpk" except on that sign.
Title: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: Pete from Boston on November 17, 2014, 09:27:36 PM
Almost exclusively "Tpk" and "Pike," with some Tpke, in my experience.  Never seen Tnpk, and never Trpk (which to me reads "terpk").
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: 1995hoo on November 18, 2014, 11:09:00 AM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on November 17, 2014, 09:27:36 PM
Almost exclusively "Tpk" and "Pike," with some Tpke, in my experience.  Never seen Tnpk, and never Trpk (which to me reads "terpk").

I've always found it very strange too and I have the same reaction you do. Incidentally, in nearby Annandale there are some street signs attached to traffic-signal mast arms that read "Little River Trnpk." At that point, why bother abbreviating at all?

BTW, I was culling through dashcam videos and found the sign shown above was still there last Tuesday afternoon. I've uploaded a picture just to show how much that spot has changed in three years due to the HO/T construction. The picture above was taken on September 22, 2011. The picture below obviously bears the date from last week, just over three years later.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi31.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc378%2F1995hoo%2FRoad%2520sign%2520pictures%2FI-395approachingDuke_zps78e8c354.png&hash=d323b03236c6d9ed8f15c9066607371a4c8b34d1)


There are two new signs (replacements for old ones due to the addition of a new exit-only lane on the right) a little further north that both use "Tnpk." I do not know whether they were made by VDOT or by Transurban, the company building the HO/T lanes.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: hbelkins on November 18, 2014, 04:04:29 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on November 17, 2014, 09:27:36 PM
Almost exclusively "Tpk" and "Pike," with some Tpke, in my experience.  Never seen Tnpk, and never Trpk (which to me reads "terpk").

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5105/5791870054_4a175c9c28_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/9PNRbw)
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: cjk374 on November 18, 2014, 10:27:58 PM
http://www.instantstreetview.com/2bka8iz1mgdc9z2lezp1z2u

How bout this for unconventional.   :sombrero:
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: Alps on November 18, 2014, 11:04:11 PM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alpsroads.net%2Froads%2Fny%2Fny_17%2Ftkpe1.jpg&hash=7486873f309eaa0922025b7ae558d037ce1b2dc8)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alpsroads.net%2Froads%2Fmo%2Fi-435%2Fn66a.jpg&hash=9bbd2553f8ffd4833cd4b6405bc22d56504ee25a)
(typically "Trfwy" for Trafficway)
I've seen "Py" for Parkway. Anyone?
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: hbelkins on November 19, 2014, 12:50:57 PM
Quote from: cjk374 on November 18, 2014, 10:27:58 PM
http://www.instantstreetview.com/2bka8iz1mgdc9z2lezp1z2u

How bout this for unconventional.   :sombrero:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.millenniumhwy.net%2Fvarious_KY_OH_2003_04%2Fvarious_KY_OH_2003_04-Images%2F40.jpg&hash=25d77029cecee7e5589aa448b02886b3095ffb97)

Leslie County, Ky., home of former UK and Cleveland Browns QB Tim Couch.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: empirestate on November 19, 2014, 01:20:34 PM
Quote from: Pink Jazz on November 17, 2014, 12:28:52 AM
I know in Virginia Beach, Virginia when I lived there, the city typically abbreviated "Lane" as "LA" rather than the USPS standard "LN".  The few signs that had "LN" were probably contractor errors who were probably unaware of the city's convention.  However, I am not sure if that is still the case with the newest post-2009 MUTCD mixed case signage.

"La" is the abbreviation I grew up with for "Lane" as well. It's still what looks most correct to me, even though I know "Ln" is "official".

Others I've seen are "Pky" for "Parkway" (can't think where, off hand) and "Avd" for "Avenida".

And, not a street suffix, but I could not get used to Wisconsin's use of "LT" for "Left", even though I believe it's MUTCD standard. (Apparently that's because "L" means "Lake", but how often does the context allow there to be confusion between the two?)
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: 1995hoo on November 19, 2014, 01:24:52 PM
I remember seeing "Exwy" for "Expressway" in the Tampa area and thinking it looked very odd. I've usually seen "Expwy" and, much less often, "Expy," but I've never seen "Exwy" outside Florida.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: Big John on November 19, 2014, 01:36:23 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on November 19, 2014, 12:50:57 PM
Quote from: cjk374 on November 18, 2014, 10:27:58 PM
http://www.instantstreetview.com/2bka8iz1mgdc9z2lezp1z2u

How bout this for unconventional.   :sombrero:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.millenniumhwy.net%2Fvarious_KY_OH_2003_04%2Fvarious_KY_OH_2003_04-Images%2F40.jpg&hash=25d77029cecee7e5589aa448b02886b3095ffb97)

Leslie County, Ky., home of former UK and Cleveland Browns QB Tim Couch.
Or for a street: (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia-cache-ec0.pinimg.com%2F236x%2F9a%2Fd9%2F15%2F9ad91511eda1f756093bed9702443360.jpg&hash=18729ad2dcee43d805702c58666721527fe98e3d)
Jaded locals still like to cover up or remove the "P"
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: jeffandnicole on November 19, 2014, 02:16:06 PM
http://goo.gl/maps/WzubK

NJ Turnpike uses Cnty to abbreviate County.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: Brandon on November 19, 2014, 02:18:25 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on November 19, 2014, 01:24:52 PM
I remember seeing "Exwy" for "Expressway" in the Tampa area and thinking it looked very odd. I've usually seen "Expwy" and, much less often, "Expy," but I've never seen "Exwy" outside Florida.

Never seen "Exwy", and rarely "Expwy".  It's typically (99% of the signage) "Expy" around Chicago.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: vtk on November 19, 2014, 05:11:47 PM
Quote from: empirestate on November 19, 2014, 01:20:34 PM
Others I've seen are "Pky" for "Parkway" (can't think where, off hand) and "Avd" for "Avenida".

Census bureau's TIGER dataset uses Pky.  A lot of the cheaper maps you can buy are made from that data, so it wouldn't surprise me to see it there. 

When I visited southern California in '06 I saw Avd for Avenida, and I wondered why it couldn't just be Ave.  Little chance of confusion with Avenue, because that's usually a suffix while Avenida is a prefix, and besides they mean the same thing anyway.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: sammi on November 19, 2014, 05:24:35 PM
I think if "Avenida" needs to be abbreviated it should probably be "Av" (e.g. "Av. Rizal Av(e).").

This isn't an abbreviation, just an unusual suffix. Near Bathurst and Steeles in Toronto, there is a small community the streets of which are suffixed "Hawkway" (https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.7893495,-79.4559495,18z). :pan: (The map says "Hawk Way", but the signs actually say "Hawkway" (https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.7897555,-79.4577795,3a,15y,75.25h,92.29t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1shxDeMpjIdGDhHfeRj2AYew!2e0).)
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: Pete from Boston on November 19, 2014, 06:26:15 PM

Quote from: Brandon on November 19, 2014, 02:18:25 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on November 19, 2014, 01:24:52 PM
I remember seeing "Exwy" for "Expressway" in the Tampa area and thinking it looked very odd. I've usually seen "Expwy" and, much less often, "Expy," but I've never seen "Exwy" outside Florida.

Never seen "Exwy", and rarely "Expwy".  It's typically (99% of the signage) "Expy" around Chicago.

It's primarily Expwy around New York, I believe.  In Boston few highway names are signed so there's little to go on.  Never seen abbreviations for (Southern, Central, or the former Northern) "Artery" up here.

Quote from: sammi on November 19, 2014, 05:24:35 PM
I think if "Avenida" needs to be abbreviated it should probably be "Av" (e.g. "Av. Rizal Av(e).").

We don't bilingualize in this way like Canada does.  Otherwise you'd have things like "Camino Real Road."

In Boston the street in honor of Lafayette is so named in French.  The English "Avenue" is therefore signed instead with the French word "Avenue," with the French abbreviation "Ave." (thus "Ave. de Lafayette").  Most people who live here a while figure out the translation. 

Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: vtk on November 19, 2014, 07:43:32 PM
Quote from: sammi on November 19, 2014, 05:24:35 PM
I think if "Avenida" needs to be abbreviated it should probably be "Av" (e.g. "Av. Rizal Av(e).").

It's one or the other, not both.  Avenida Queso and Cheese Avenue would be two completely different streets.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: hbelkins on November 19, 2014, 08:57:12 PM
I always liked X-way or Xway for expressway. I can't remember if I've ever seen that on a sign or not, but I almost think I have in my youth.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: jakeroot on November 19, 2014, 09:05:34 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on November 19, 2014, 08:57:12 PM
I always liked X-way or Xway for expressway. I can't remember if I've ever seen that on a sign or not, but I almost think I have in my youth.

Would make me think cross-way.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: Pete from Boston on November 19, 2014, 09:54:32 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on November 19, 2014, 08:57:12 PM
I always liked X-way or Xway for expressway. I can't remember if I've ever seen that on a sign or not, but I almost think I have in my youth.

I've seen it, but for the life of me can't remember where.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: Kniwt on November 20, 2014, 01:10:24 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on November 19, 2014, 02:16:06 PM
NJ Turnpike uses Cnty to abbreviate County.

12-year-old me approves of such a cnty abbreviation.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: NE2 on November 20, 2014, 04:39:20 AM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fvidthekid.info%2Fimghost%2Foldsign-madisoncunty.jpg&hash=33006660e7251b66146c0af359867aa6468403dd)
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: empirestate on November 20, 2014, 06:50:37 PM
Quote from: vtk on November 19, 2014, 05:11:47 PM
Quote from: empirestate on November 19, 2014, 01:20:34 PM
Others I've seen are "Pky" for "Parkway" (can't think where, off hand) and "Avd" for "Avenida".

Census bureau's TIGER dataset uses Pky.  A lot of the cheaper maps you can buy are made from that data, so it wouldn't surprise me to see it there.

Possible, but I'm thinking I've seen it out in the field somewhere.

QuoteWhen I visited southern California in '06 I saw Avd for Avenida, and I wondered why it couldn't just be Ave.  Little chance of confusion with Avenue, because that's usually a suffix while Avenida is a prefix, and besides they mean the same thing anyway.

I don't think there's any reason other than that "Avd." is a Spanish word (albeit an abbreviated one) and "Ave." isn't.

Similarly, I believe the French abbreviation for "Boulevard" is "Boul.", whereas in English it's "Blvd."
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: mjb2002 on November 24, 2014, 03:09:53 AM
I've seen BD used as a suffix  for Boulevard on older signs before.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: Tom958 on November 24, 2014, 08:44:56 AM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on November 19, 2014, 09:54:32 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on November 19, 2014, 08:57:12 PM
I always liked X-way or Xway for expressway. I can't remember if I've ever seen that on a sign or not, but I almost think I have in my youth.

I've seen it, but for the life of me can't remember where.

Long gone now, but apparently I-20 east of Atlanta was once known as the Southeast Expressway, and one sign abbreviated it as "SE XWAY."
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: cjk374 on November 28, 2014, 03:18:12 PM
Quote from: Tom958 on November 24, 2014, 08:44:56 AM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on November 19, 2014, 09:54:32 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on November 19, 2014, 08:57:12 PM
I always liked X-way or Xway for expressway. I can't remember if I've ever seen that on a sign or not, but I almost think I have in my youth.

I've seen it, but for the life of me can't remember where.

Long gone now, but apparently I-20 east of Atlanta was once known as the Southeast Expressway, and one sign abbreviated it as "SE XWAY."

Scroll down this article to see another abbreviation for expressway:  http://phys.org/news/2012-10-shuttle-xing-endeavour-treks-la.html
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: jakeroot on November 28, 2014, 06:04:19 PM
Quote from: cjk374 on November 28, 2014, 03:18:12 PM
Quote from: Tom958 on November 24, 2014, 08:44:56 AM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on November 19, 2014, 09:54:32 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on November 19, 2014, 08:57:12 PM
I always liked X-way or Xway for expressway. I can't remember if I've ever seen that on a sign or not, but I almost think I have in my youth.

I've seen it, but for the life of me can't remember where.

Long gone now, but apparently I-20 east of Atlanta was once known as the Southeast Expressway, and one sign abbreviated it as "SE XWAY."

Scroll down this article to see another abbreviation for expressway:  http://phys.org/news/2012-10-shuttle-xing-endeavour-treks-la.html

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.phys.org%2Fnewman%2Fgfx%2Fnews%2F2012%2F2-shuttlexinge.jpg&hash=e1f32a28ab162253067956f8e4a62cff59174ef4)
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: mrsman on November 30, 2014, 08:10:41 AM
To clarify the above photo, there are small streets on either side of Sepulveda near LAX, Sepulveda Westway and Sepulveda Eastway.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: route17fan on November 30, 2014, 10:45:15 AM
Quote from: NE2 on November 20, 2014, 04:39:20 AM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fvidthekid.info%2Fimghost%2Foldsign-madisoncunty.jpg&hash=33006660e7251b66146c0af359867aa6468403dd)

That one was a classic! It has since been "corrected" with a non-button copy o.  :-D
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: sawblade5 on November 30, 2014, 03:09:01 PM
I would like to nominate the "Sh Mn Pky" mileage signs that is on I-435 around Shawnee Mission Parkway in both directions. Multiple examples exist through here. Here's the shot of one of the signs: https://goo.gl/maps/anB5D It drives me nuts every time I see this sign of the poor suffixes and abbreviations. There's even one that says "Sh Msn Pk" (Which I think is now a Sign error on top of the other issue here now as it makes you think it's going to Shawnee Mission Park instead of Shawnee Mission Parkway) on I-435 SB on the Kaw River Bridge: https://goo.gl/maps/6hK9G that sign replaced the one that said "Sh Mn Pky" earlier this year: https://goo.gl/maps/EjS1H

I can't find of of this variation on I-35 or K-7 as it shows it properly on K-7 and as the Highways US-56-69 on I-35.

At one time Shawnee Mission Parkway was K-10 and was later K-12 when K-10 was realigned to the south. K-12 was decommissioned in the early 90s by KDOT when they were doing mass decommissioning of highways that only ran in the same county or city.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: Darkchylde on December 03, 2014, 10:39:05 PM
I snagged some pics of those awhile back, actually... though only one is visible enough for here given the perspective and distance.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bqHUTOi1RaU/VF2O09u4baI/AAAAAAAAJOs/R-AyBkv-taE/s800/2014-10-05%252017.21.17-14.jpg)

Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: 1995hoo on December 04, 2014, 08:59:49 AM
If I had not seen this thread, I'd read that as guiding you to a park and I'd wonder why that part wasn't on a brown background. I would have no clue what the other two abbreviations meant. Classic example of a sign designed for people who already know the area, IMO. I would never have concluded "Msn" meant "Mission"; I'd probably have assumed it meant "Mason."
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: mrsman on December 05, 2014, 12:50:57 AM
Quote from: 1995hoo on December 04, 2014, 08:59:49 AM
If I had not seen this thread, I'd read that as guiding you to a park and I'd wonder why that part wasn't on a brown background. I would have no clue what the other two abbreviations meant. Classic example of a sign designed for people who already know the area, IMO. I would never have concluded "Msn" meant "Mission"; I'd probably have assumed it meant "Mason."

I agree "Sh Mn Pkwy" would be complete gibberish to me, unless I knew that I was near a famous landmark.  I'm not familiar with the Shawnee Mission.  I would recommend either using a smaller font or possibly two lines in order to get the whole word across.

But if I was in South Dakota, and I saw "Mt Rshmre Pkwy" I could probably figure it out.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: vtk on December 05, 2014, 08:24:13 AM
I think "Mt Rmr Pky" would be more comparable to the example. But I think if I were visiting SD and I saw that, I'd probably get it.  Less likely if just Pk.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: freebrickproductions on December 05, 2014, 09:54:02 AM
Memorial Parkway is signed as "Mem'l Parkway" on most of the street signs. Other street signs say "Mem Parkway".
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: hbelkins on December 05, 2014, 01:33:31 PM
Quote from: freebrickproductions on December 05, 2014, 09:54:02 AM
Memorial Parkway is signed as "Mem'l Parkway" on most of the street signs. Other street signs say "Mem Parkway".

Wouldn't that make more sense as "Memorial Pkwy?"
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: freebrickproductions on December 05, 2014, 02:25:21 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on December 05, 2014, 01:33:31 PM
Quote from: freebrickproductions on December 05, 2014, 09:54:02 AM
Memorial Parkway is signed as "Mem'l Parkway" on most of the street signs. Other street signs say "Mem Parkway".

Wouldn't that make more sense as "Memorial Pkwy?"
Yes, it would. Google labels the street that way as well. I also want to say that the old signs were that way too, but I can't say for sure. It's also signed that way on the BGSs. (http://www.instantstreetview.com/2d44fvz1r8d6oz3gfzrtz8k)
I guess it's just Huntsville being Huntsville, considering the fact that most traffic lights around here use sign blanks as backgrounds and most street signs for streets with the "Boulevard" suffix have Blv. for the abbreviation.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: empirestate on December 05, 2014, 04:49:58 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on December 05, 2014, 01:33:31 PM
Quote from: freebrickproductions on December 05, 2014, 09:54:02 AM
Memorial Parkway is signed as "Mem'l Parkway" on most of the street signs. Other street signs say "Mem Parkway".

Wouldn't that make more sense as "Memorial Pkwy?"

Reminds me of the time I saw Paula Poundstone in Rochester, and she joked about a sign she'd seen that read "University of Roch."
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: vegas1962 on December 05, 2014, 08:06:22 PM
Quote from: vtk on November 19, 2014, 07:43:32 PM
Quote from: sammi on November 19, 2014, 05:24:35 PM
I think if "Avenida" needs to be abbreviated it should probably be "Av" (e.g. "Av. Rizal Av(e).").

It's one or the other, not both.  Avenida Queso and Cheese Avenue would be two completely different streets.

In Henderson, NV, less than a mile apart from each other you will find Green Valley Parkway and Valle Verde Drive.  Very close, but definitely different streets.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: UCFKnights on December 06, 2014, 08:26:07 PM
UCF's campus uses some weird street name signs, for example, Parking Garage ENT:

https://www.google.com/maps/@28.6056307,-81.2005894,3a,15y,45.3h,103.27t/data=!3m5!1e1!3m3!1s376qI3sXIfgDHeUSwbsLAQ!2e0!3e5
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: route17fan on December 07, 2014, 01:29:48 AM
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.0606258,-73.8153733,3a,37.5y,232.69h,89.06t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1shyNdHh84CD0PpDMK8IaRmg!2e0

I always liked X - WEST EXPY for Cross Westchester Expressway
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: ARMOURERERIC on December 07, 2014, 01:58:39 AM
Many years ago as a ute in Pittsburgh, back when it was black letters on white background with the suffix as a white on black vertical strip the were a few "OV" strips for oval.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: roadfro on December 08, 2014, 04:12:13 AM
Quote from: UCFKnights on December 06, 2014, 08:26:07 PM
UCF's campus uses some weird street name signs, for example, Parking Garage ENT:

https://www.google.com/maps/@28.6056307,-81.2005894,3a,15y,45.3h,103.27t/data=!3m5!1e1!3m3!1s376qI3sXIfgDHeUSwbsLAQ!2e0!3e5

ENT for "Entrance" I guess works.

OT: Very interesting that the lighted street name sign hangs from a separate pole *below* the main mast arm. In Nevada, if the lighted SNS doesn't hang from the main mast arm itself, then it is mounted on a separate pole above the mast arm (except in Henderson, where the newer SNSs attach directly to the mast pole.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: Pete from Boston on December 08, 2014, 08:48:52 AM
Not a suffix, but the Mass Pike VMS in Charlton periodically gives motorists info about "I/C 9" (meaning "interchange").  If I had to guess, I would suppose that 70% of people get past this sign without figuring out what that means.  But maybe I underestimate people.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: sandwalk on December 09, 2014, 01:53:03 PM
There a street named "Jackson Street Extension" in my hometown.  The road signs spell out "Jackson" and abbreviate "Street Extension."

Streetview: https://goo.gl/maps/HBGIe

Also, there are a few other unconventionally suffixed streets in the area, including "Sycamore Line," "Anderson Annex" and "Terry Arcade."  Also, there are a few cases of two-suffix streets, including "Shady Lane Drive" and "Lovers Lane Road" (most of the locals drop the second suffix).
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: roadfro on December 09, 2014, 09:35:33 PM
Quote from: sandwalk on December 09, 2014, 01:53:03 PM
There a street named "Jackson Street Extension" in my hometown.  The road signs spell out "Jackson" and abbreviate "Street Extension."

Well, the easy fix there is to just rename it "Jackson Street". Looking at the map, it's not even an extension of the street--it's actually a separate section.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: talllguy on December 10, 2014, 09:52:26 AM
In Baltimore County we have a list of allowable suffixes:



   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Actual Road TypeAbbreviated Road Type
AvenueAVE
BoulevardBLVD
CircleCIR
CourtCT
DaleDALE (not abbreviated)
DriveDR
GarthGARTH (not abbreviated)
GreenGRN
HighwayHWY
LaneLN
LoopLOOP (not abbreviated)
ParkwayPKWY
PathPATH (not abbreviated)
PikePIKE (not abbreviated)
PlacePL
PlazaPLZ
RoadRD
StreetST
StationSTA
SquareSQ
TerraceTER
TrailTRL   (Except for "Old Trail" which is to be spelled as Old Trail, all upper/lower case with no road type)
WalkWALK (not abbreviated)
WayWAY (not abbreviated)
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: Pete from Boston on December 10, 2014, 11:58:33 AM
Garth?
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: freebrickproductions on December 10, 2014, 12:12:23 PM
We have a Garth Road here in Huntsville, but I believe it is just named after a person.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: talllguy on December 10, 2014, 12:17:49 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on December 10, 2014, 11:58:33 AM
Garth?

Ha, its a local thing. Steve asked me the same thing. It is just another way to suffix a cul de sac. Here's an example (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.4076664,-76.6330856,3a,75y,316.44h,86.47t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sHifNASFASnVVR0gFQPfXDg!2e0).
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: Zeffy on December 10, 2014, 12:22:28 PM
What is a DALE? I've never heard of that suffix in my life.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: talllguy on December 10, 2014, 12:49:15 PM
Quote from: Zeffy on December 10, 2014, 12:22:28 PM
What is a DALE? I've never heard of that suffix in my life.
It is like a valley or a vale. We have just one in the county. Here it is signed with clearview (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.3899552,-76.6053647,3a,59.2y,6.38h,88.86t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s2fUMbCecuIvf5QgRJFSWAg!2e0).

"Dale." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2014. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dale>.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: riiga on December 10, 2014, 01:13:21 PM
Must be a word of Germanic roots, it's very similar to the Swedish "dal" with the same meaning as listed.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: cjk374 on December 10, 2014, 02:32:46 PM
Quote from: talllguy on December 10, 2014, 12:17:49 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on December 10, 2014, 11:58:33 AM
Garth?

Ha, its a local thing. Steve asked me the same thing. It is just another way to suffix a cul de sac. Here's an example (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.4076664,-76.6330856,3a,75y,316.44h,86.47t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sHifNASFASnVVR0gFQPfXDg!2e0).

:eyebrow:  That's the strangest street suffix I have ever seen or heard of.   :crazy:
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: NE2 on December 10, 2014, 02:47:18 PM
Quote from: cjk374 on December 10, 2014, 02:32:46 PM
:eyebrow:  That's the strangest street suffix I have ever seen or heard of.   :crazy:
Stravenue.

PS: Garth is also used in Ireland and the UK, and not always for a strict dead-end. Example. (http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=51.493375,-0.303422&spn=0.004763,0.012392&t=m&z=17&layer=c&cbll=51.49333,-0.303723&panoid=O2Qq2DX-lWCDij7D4RVUvA&cbp=12,20.16,,1,-6.23)
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: hbelkins on December 10, 2014, 08:54:14 PM
Winchester, Ky. (or more precisely, a subdivision outside the city limits) has streets named Shalamar Rue and Lamond Ruelle.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: empirestate on December 11, 2014, 01:24:54 AM
Quote from: talllguy on December 10, 2014, 09:52:26 AM

   
TrailTRL   (Except for "Old Trail" which is to be spelled as Old Trail, all upper/lower case with no road type)

Well, yes, because "Trail" is the nominative part of the name, not the descriptive suffix, and "Old" is a modifier like "East" or "West". This has come up before...
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: UCFKnights on December 12, 2014, 06:38:40 PM
Quote from: roadfro on December 08, 2014, 04:12:13 AM
Quote from: UCFKnights on December 06, 2014, 08:26:07 PM
UCF's campus uses some weird street name signs, for example, Parking Garage ENT:

https://www.google.com/maps/@28.6056307,-81.2005894,3a,15y,45.3h,103.27t/data=!3m5!1e1!3m3!1s376qI3sXIfgDHeUSwbsLAQ!2e0!3e5

ENT for "Entrance" I guess works.

OT: Very interesting that the lighted street name sign hangs from a separate pole *below* the main mast arm. In Nevada, if the lighted SNS doesn't hang from the main mast arm itself, then it is mounted on a separate pole above the mast arm (except in Henderson, where the newer SNSs attach directly to the mast pole.
They do that all over Orlando, I have no idea why. I prefer it from the main mast arm as its often easier to see and closer to the normal line of sight.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: SignGeek101 on January 18, 2015, 11:21:23 PM
Quote from: mjb2002 on November 24, 2014, 03:09:53 AM
I've seen BD used as a suffix  for Boulevard on older signs before.

A newer one where I live (although it is for the French prefix rather than the English):

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1291.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb551%2Fslik_sh00ter%2FUnusualPrefix_zps92e6e095.jpg&hash=b90b2dc8602ed015348e2537dcc2b24674c5e261)

GMSV: http://goo.gl/maps/ecjQ8
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: Bruce on April 11, 2019, 03:44:48 AM
Downtown Seattle's 2nd Avenue Extension South, which crosses part of the north-south grid as an extension of the diagonal downtown grid.

(https://i.imgur.com/8f5JVvE.jpg)
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: kphoger on April 11, 2019, 02:39:44 PM
Quote from: Bruce on April 11, 2019, 03:44:48 AM
Downtown Seattle's 2nd Avenue Extension South, which crosses part of the north-south grid as an extension of the diagonal downtown grid.

The Ext generic is also used in Illinois along 161 Extension (https://goo.gl/maps/Qci4CYTUB4H2), which is a county road that runs between Cisne and Route 37.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: Bruce on August 30, 2019, 05:52:04 PM
Leavenworth, WA is a Bavarian-themed mountain village, so they use German street names where they can.

Weg means "Path", Strasse (actually Straße) is "Street", Allee is "Avenue"

(https://i.imgur.com/t3NMUti.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/02hwJvm.jpg)
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: jakeroot on August 30, 2019, 07:27:45 PM
Quote from: Bruce on August 30, 2019, 05:52:04 PM
Weg means "Path", Strasse (actually Straße) is "Street", Allee is "Avenue"

Do you know if 'Alpen Strasse' and 'Park Strasse' are actually known as "9th St" and "Front St", respectively? Or if those are just anglicised terms for those streets to make it easier for tourists.

Seems odd to have two street names for the same direction.
Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: tdindy88 on August 30, 2019, 08:58:38 PM
I'm curious why that town would have two different names instead of just using the German names of the actual English named streets. In Oldenburg, Indiana they also use German on their street signs but the names are just the German translations of the actual street names. I for one love the sound of "Landstrasse 229".

https://goo.gl/maps/Zvpuv32hgzpPhyPd9

Title: Re: Unconventional street suffix abbreviations on signs
Post by: jbnv on September 03, 2019, 02:29:29 PM
Quote from: talllguy on December 10, 2014, 12:17:49 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on December 10, 2014, 11:58:33 AM
Garth?

Ha, its a local thing. Steve asked me the same thing. It is just another way to suffix a cul de sac. Here's an example (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.4076664,-76.6330856,3a,75y,316.44h,86.47t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sHifNASFASnVVR0gFQPfXDg!2e0).

Note to self: Develop subdivision. Name a cul-de-sac "Party On Garth."