How many of these signs (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.547685,-71.84967,3a,63.1y,69.97h,90.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sCl7UUvd_nLKEo-NZRmxi5A!2e0!7i3328!8i1664) still remain out in the field? I'm guessing this particular one may have been replaced since the Google Maps street view image is from 2008, but it made me wonder how many of these still lurk in Massachusetts. I remember seeing another one on Google Maps before, but I can't remember where it was. Perhaps it was Marlborough, not sure.
One thing I like about these signs is the route number through the arrow, instead of placing a route shield. I think it looks good.
Based on my last trip to Mass., there are still plenty of them.
Quote from: Zeffy on June 24, 2015, 08:28:18 PM
How many of these signs (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.547685,-71.84967,3a,63.1y,69.97h,90.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sCl7UUvd_nLKEo-NZRmxi5A!2e0!7i3328!8i1664) still remain out in the field? I'm guessing this particular one may have been replaced since the Google Maps street view image is from 2008, but it made me wonder how many of these still lurk in Massachusetts. I remember seeing another one on Google Maps before, but I can't remember where it was. Perhaps it was Marlborough, not sure.
One thing I like about these signs is the route number through the arrow, instead of placing a route shield. I think it looks good.
I see a few around but they are dying a death of attrition. The one you linked was replaced at some point before I moved from Fitchburg last year.
I grew up in Massachusetts. Every time I go back, I see fewer of them, but they're still around.
For some reason, I particularly miss the ones on MA 63 North as it turns left in North Amherst from MA 116 and the ones on RT 9 at its junction with RT 47. I know putting the shields on them makes them more legible and understandable, but there was just something endearing about those old signs.
They did get pretty ridiculous with multiplexes in the Boston area, though, without the differentiation between state and U.S. and even Interstate routes. :D
Quote from: Zeffy on June 24, 2015, 08:28:18 PM
How many of these signs (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.547685,-71.84967,3a,63.1y,69.97h,90.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sCl7UUvd_nLKEo-NZRmxi5A!2e0!7i3328!8i1664) still remain out in the field? I'm guessing this particular one may have been replaced since the Google Maps street view image is from 2008, but it made me wonder how many of these still lurk in Massachusetts. I remember seeing another one on Google Maps before, but I can't remember where it was. Perhaps it was Marlborough, not sure.
One thing I like about these signs is the route number through the arrow, instead of placing a route shield. I think it looks good.
Here's one of two (https://goo.gl/maps/x3jWO) at the corner of the Southern Artery and Washington Street in Quincy (the other can be seen by scanning to the left), there's a third a 1/4 mile further north on the southbound side. These, IIRC, are the closest old style paddle signs to where I live.
When I first opened this thread; I thought your question was regarding the much older
paddle signs that still had the
cut corners on top. The newest of those signs are circa 1973. From then on, MassDPW (at the time) converted to square/rectangular paddle signs that one sees today.
Scroll down for example of cut-corner D6 Paddle LGS (http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/ma/ma_79/)
It's worth noting that MassDPW
(later MassHighway) maintained the
old school layout with respect to arrows and only route numbers (no shields unless such was an Interstate and usually only for the top "D6" panel)
through the late 80s and possibly into 1990 depending on the district DPW office until 1994.
Once upon a time, the arrow through the route shield (originally just the route number)
used layout to appear on large highway signs (aka BGS'). Such was very common from the mid-60s and earlier.
Quote from: yanksfan6129 on June 24, 2015, 09:10:01 PMBased on my last trip to Mass., there are still plenty of them.
I was up there this past weekend so I can concur.
It's been about five years since the last time I was in Massachusetts, but my recollection is that there were still plenty of them.
Quote from: PHLBOS on June 25, 2015, 08:22:39 AM
When I first opened this thread; I thought your question was regarding the much older paddle signs that still had the cut corners on top. The newest of those signs are circa 1973. From then on, MassDPW (at the time) converted to square/rectangular paddle signs that one sees today.
Scroll down for example of cut-corner D6 Paddle LGS (http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/ma/ma_79/)
It's worth noting that MassDPW maintained the old school layout with respect to arrows and only route numbers (no shields unless such was an Interstate and usually only for the top "D6" panel) through the late 80s and possibly into 1990 depending on the district DPW office.
Oh, I forgot about those ones entirely! Those look much more scarce than the ones I linked.
Quote from: Zeffy on June 25, 2015, 09:14:57 AMOh, I forgot about those ones entirely! Those look much more scarce than the ones I linked.
That's because they're a lot older. :sombrero:
Quote from: PHLBOS on June 25, 2015, 08:22:39 AM
When I first opened this thread; I thought your question was regarding the much older paddle signs that still had the cut corners on top. The newest of those signs are circa 1973. From then on, MassDPW (at the time) converted to square/rectangular paddle signs that one sees today.
It's worth noting that MassDPW maintained the old school layout with respect to arrows and only route numbers (no shields unless such was an Interstate and usually only for the top "D6" panel) through the late 80s and possibly into 1990 depending on the district DPW office. (http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/ma/ma_79/)
The policy regarding route shields on D6 and D8 signs was changed in 1994, largely due to prompting from the Feds. Prior to that time, shields were only used for Interstate routes, and only on D6 (top) signs. All other signs generally used the "arrow through route number" convention, athough in the 'cut corner' days, it was not uncommon for the Interstate shield to be mounted above the D6 sign (I remember that, years ago, the old 'cut corner' advance sign for I-93 on MA 129 at the Reading/Wilmington line had this arrangement).
The next big change in MassDOT secondary route guide signs is that they are currently phasing in the use of mixed-case destination legends, to be in conformance with the 2009 MUTCD. The interim design guidelines call for use of mixed case legends (8 inch uppercase/6 inch lowercase) only where they can be used on MassDOT standard D6/D8 sheet aluminum blanks, and where they can be placed on all signs within a given project - this is for consistency at any given location. The first major project to incorporate these interim standards is the Route 28 Bourne resurfacing and safety improvement project #606178, for which bids were opened on June 23rd.
While this appears to be the beginning of the end for the 'paddle sign' era in Massachusetts, the majority of the D6 and D8 signs recently installed as part of MassDOT's sign update projects should remain in place for the next fifteen to eighteen years.
It is expected that the final design guidelines, which should be issued by the end of 2015, will call for extruded sign panels on single steel beam posts instead of the current 0.250 inch thick sheel aluminum panels top mounted on the tubular posts.
Quote from: PHLBOS on June 25, 2015, 08:22:39 AM
When I first opened this thread; I thought your question was regarding the much older paddle signs that still had the cut corners on top. The newest of those signs are circa 1973. From then on, MassDPW (at the time) converted to square/rectangular paddle signs that one sees today.
Scroll down for example of cut-corner D6 Paddle LGS (http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/ma/ma_79/)
This is what I expected as well.
Quote from: dgolub on June 25, 2015, 09:02:36 AM
It's been about five years since the last time I was in Massachusetts, but my recollection is that there were still plenty of them.
They're dying a slow death, but there are still plenty around.
I've seen a few scattered around Western and Central MA. I also remember seeing one somewhere on the Cape but I forget where.
Quote from: bob7374 on June 24, 2015, 11:22:34 PM
Quote from: Zeffy on June 24, 2015, 08:28:18 PM
How many of these signs (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.547685,-71.84967,3a,63.1y,69.97h,90.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sCl7UUvd_nLKEo-NZRmxi5A!2e0!7i3328!8i1664) still remain out in the field? I'm guessing this particular one may have been replaced since the Google Maps street view image is from 2008, but it made me wonder how many of these still lurk in Massachusetts. I remember seeing another one on Google Maps before, but I can't remember where it was. Perhaps it was Marlborough, not sure.
One thing I like about these signs is the route number through the arrow, instead of placing a route shield. I think it looks good.
Here's one of two (https://goo.gl/maps/x3jWO) at the corner of the Southern Artery and Washington Street in Quincy (the other can be seen by scanning to the left), there's a third a 1/4 mile further north on the southbound side. These, IIRC, are the closest old style paddle signs to where I live.
Here's one close to my former home, at the intersection of East and Hull Streets (https://goo.gl/maps/jFi7s) in Hingham (this is from 2008, but it was still there when I passed by on July 6).
Remnants still linger around the areas of Mass. I occasionally frequent (Wrentham, the Attleboros, Seekonk, Rehoboth, Swansea) yet during a major realignment and repaving project at an intersection near me (Baker's Four Corners (https://goo.gl/maps/T8jNA)) most of the signs were replaced, except for an advance sign (https://goo.gl/maps/p0etE) that is currently hidden by hedges. Personally, I think it's a system that makes sense since much of New England shares the same route shield type, so showing the actual shield would be redundant (with the exception of NH and VT). The only way, IMO, the current system would work is if the New England Interstate Route system was revived, but that's me.
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.518488,-71.210063,3a,75y,136.19h,90.61t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s5YPQX_Qiqm90yRjnxz21JA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1
One of the "newer" looking stragglers kicking around.
Does anyone know of a photo of two of the cut-corner variety in white that directed motorists to parks along Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester at least into the 1980s? They were at the lake shore where Belmont St. (Route 9) crossed into Shrewsbury, and were the only white ones I've seen.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on June 30, 2015, 05:56:46 PM
Does anyone know of a photo of two of the cut-corner variety in white that directed motorists to parks along Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester at least into the 1980s? They were at the lake shore where Belmont St. (Route 9) crossed into Shrewsbury, and were the only white ones I've seen.
Curious if the color had anything to do with that area of Shrewsbury being known as White City?
Quote from: Cjzani on July 01, 2015, 07:50:31 AM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on June 30, 2015, 05:56:46 PM
Does anyone know of a photo of two of the cut-corner variety in white that directed motorists to parks along Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester at least into the 1980s? They were at the lake shore where Belmont St. (Route 9) crossed into Shrewsbury, and were the only white ones I've seen.
Curious if the color had anything to do with that area of Shrewsbury being known as White City?
Nope. Prior to 1966, all Massachusetts D6 and D8 directional signs were black legend on white background. A handful of these signs, mostly on non-numbered state roads connecting to parks and beaches, survived into the 1980s and 1990s before being replaced.
Quote from: Cjzani on July 01, 2015, 07:50:31 AM
Curious if the color had anything to do with that area of Shrewsbury being known as White City?
White City was an amusement park in the western part of Shrewsbury, bordering Lake Quinsigamond. The park closed in 1960 but the name for that area stuck.
Quote from: roadman on July 01, 2015, 12:33:05 PM
Quote from: Cjzani on July 01, 2015, 07:50:31 AM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on June 30, 2015, 05:56:46 PM
Does anyone know of a photo of two of the cut-corner variety in white that directed motorists to parks along Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester at least into the 1980s? They were at the lake shore where Belmont St. (Route 9) crossed into Shrewsbury, and were the only white ones I've seen.
Curious if the color had anything to do with that area of Shrewsbury being known as White City?
Nope. Prior to 1966, all Massachusetts D6 and D8 directional signs were black legend on white background. A handful of these signs, mostly on non-numbered state roads connecting to parks and beaches, survived into the 1980s and 1990s before being replaced.
I am shocked I don't remember those, I must've seen some of them as a kid.
Quote from: SidS1045 on July 01, 2015, 03:59:49 PM
Quote from: Cjzani on July 01, 2015, 07:50:31 AM
Curious if the color had anything to do with that area of Shrewsbury being known as White City?
White City was an amusement park in the western part of Shrewsbury, bordering Lake Quinsigamond. The park closed in 1960 but the name for that area stuck.
The signs were in Worcester, and I've never seen that name cross the lake. But roadman, of course, has already explained their likely origin.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on July 01, 2015, 05:09:05 PM
The signs were in Worcester, and I've never seen that name cross the lake. But roadman, of course, has already explained their likely origin.
The last black on white "cut corner" D6 sign I recall seeing "in the flesh" was for Crane Beach in Ipswich in about 1988. Haven't been to Ipswich in years, but I would think it's been replaced since then.
There may still be some white cut corner ones out in the town of Mt. Washington. Las time I was there (2013) most were still there but either pretty badly faded or had been repainted by the town and no longer had their original paint.
They were all still on concrete posts with the state shield medallion in them.
When I was a kid, the signs directing you to the Quabbin along MA 9 were black-on-white, IIRC. They were replaced long ago, however.
Quote from: Zeffy on June 24, 2015, 08:28:18 PM
How many of these signs (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.547685,-71.84967,3a,63.1y,69.97h,90.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sCl7UUvd_nLKEo-NZRmxi5A!2e0!7i3328!8i1664) still remain out in the field? I'm guessing this particular one may have been replaced since the Google Maps street view image is from 2008, but it made me wonder how many of these still lurk in Massachusetts. I remember seeing another one on Google Maps before, but I can't remember where it was. Perhaps it was Marlborough, not sure.
One thing I like about these signs is the route number through the arrow, instead of placing a route shield. I think it looks good.
Bigger question is how many wooden ones still exist? Last time I paid attention to them they look like they were now made out of sheet metal.
Somewhere in my regular travels there is one made of plywood that has a corner snapped off and the crisscrossed wood fibers exposed, but I can't remember where.
What were these signs edged with that they lasted this long? Even PT ply has a limit of reasonable exposure time, particularly with an upward-facing edge.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on July 07, 2015, 06:56:57 PM
Somewhere in my regular travels there is one made of plywood that has a corner snapped off and the crisscrossed wood fibers exposed, but I can't remember where.
What were these signs edged with that they lasted this long? Even PT ply has a limit of reasonable exposure time, particularly with an upward-facing edge.
For permanent plywood signs, MassDPW specs required the use of 5 ply 3/4 inch HDO Marine Exterior Grade A-B finish. Signs were required to have two coats of primer and two coats of finish color. Also, panel edges and any imperfections on the panels were required to be filled in with plastic wood and sanded smooth prior to application of primer and finish.
It's not a "paddle' sign, but there's an old plywood GAS sign at the end of the exit ramp from I-95 (128) north to North Avenue in Wakefield. The blue background is badly faded, but the panel itself is still intact.
In Wakefield/Lynnfield, MA; there's still a surviving 1976-era D8 sign (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.512274,-71.043603,3a,37.5y,354.8h,85.71t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s03reQIOTXBizJnuy35L19w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1).
Quote from: PHLBOS on July 08, 2015, 04:47:35 PM
In Wakefield/Lynnfield, MA; there's still a surviving 1976-era D8 sign (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.512274,-71.043603,3a,37.5y,354.8h,85.71t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s03reQIOTXBizJnuy35L19w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1).
I drive by that sign a couple of times a week. It was somehow missed in the 1999 Reading to Lynnfield I-95 (MA 128) sign update.
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.529187,-70.957614,3a,75y,140.84h,94.44t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sSpT1UXw2lW67QX8ELZC_GA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
This one seems a bit unique of the old guard, had never seen this one until being on this road today, and don't recall any quite like this. There are similar signs down the street each way from the intersection as well.
Quote from: Cjzani on July 09, 2015, 06:01:09 PM
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.529187,-70.957614,3a,75y,140.84h,94.44t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sSpT1UXw2lW67QX8ELZC_GA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
This one seems a bit unique of the old guard, had never seen this one until being on this road today, and don't recall any quite like this. There are similar signs down the street each way from the intersection as well.
1987-88 vintage; one of the surviving original installments from the I-95/MA 128/Forest St. interchanges project.
Quote from: PHLBOS on July 09, 2015, 06:12:51 PM
Quote from: Cjzani on July 09, 2015, 06:01:09 PM
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.529187,-70.957614,3a,75y,140.84h,94.44t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sSpT1UXw2lW67QX8ELZC_GA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
This one seems a bit unique of the old guard, had never seen this one until being on this road today, and don't recall any quite like this. There are similar signs down the street each way from the intersection as well.
1987-88 vintage; one of the surviving original installments from the I-95/MA 128/Forest St. interchanges project.
Curious PHLBOS if you know the background of something else that caught me eye around there. The bridge on Forest St over I-95 is dated from 1972, yet that stretch of I-95 didn't open until much later, maybe around that 87-88 window?
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.532638,-70.981246,3a,15y,2.03h,75.22t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sTjqvQ1vNThAiaqqhGQF_yA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
I once lived near there (1980-2001) and can answer--they built the overpass for the planned I-95 that was to connect to the cancelled part inside 128. The bridge stood there until the section of 95 from exit 46 down to 128 opened, crossing over nothing but some clearing and dirt paths.
Quote from: PurdueBill on July 09, 2015, 11:06:05 PM
I once lived near there (1980-2001) and can answer--they built the overpass for the planned I-95 that was to connect to the cancelled part inside 128. The bridge stood there until the section of 95 from exit 46 down to 128 opened, crossing over nothing but some clearing and dirt paths.
That's pretty cool, thanks for the answer. I figured it was something like that.
Prior to the final construction and opening of the I-95/MA 128 interchange, the I-95 roadbed underneath that Forest St. overpass wound up being a dumping ground of sorts (including a few old matresses) for many years.
To add: it's worth noting that the only reason why the I-95 roadbed stopped where it did back then was not because then-MassDPW didn't aquire the land for the MA 128 interchange (they did sans some slivers); but rather the decision to cancel building I-95 south of 128 forced a complete redesign of the interchange. It should be noted that the interchange redesign (to its current scheme) did require some additional (comparatively sliver-sized) land takings.
The original interchange design (which included a reroute of the 128 mainline corridor that would later be built) was similar to the original I-95/MA 128 interchange in Canton; except that the flyover ramp movement would have been from 128 South to I-95 South. Needless to say, this was one case where not building the original interchange design sooner ultimately proved beneficial. Such (minus the cancelled I-95 South movements) would've had the same issues that the current Canton interchange faces today.
Quote from: roadman on July 01, 2015, 06:40:50 PM
The last black on white "cut corner" D6 sign I recall seeing "in the flesh" was for Crane Beach in Ipswich in about 1988. Haven't been to Ipswich in years, but I would think it's been replaced since then.
It's still there. Argilla Rd is a town road, so I don't expect it to go away any time soon. The sign at Northgate Rd on MA 133 was replaced with a new green square one though.
Ipswich actually has a decent number of old signs on town roads, including some decades-old warning signs on MA 1A/133 east of the Choate Bridge, and these unfortunately now broken gems on Topsfield Rd (https://goo.gl/maps/FgY88).
The surrounding towns (e.g. Georgetown (https://goo.gl/maps/AxO5m)) have quite a few remaining "arrow through number" signs as well. Including at least one arrow through a 95. A few old shields (https://goo.gl/maps/L8z7b) if you know where to look as well.
Quote from: Beeper1 on July 01, 2015, 11:35:17 PM
There may still be some white cut corner ones out in the town of Mt. Washington. Las time I was there (2013) most were still there but either pretty badly faded or had been repainted by the town and no longer had their original paint.
They were all still on concrete posts with the state shield medallion in them.
That was my experience as well when I was there as well. They're all either so worn they're almost illegible, or the town has recently repainted them. Steve has good coverage of them on his site. (http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/ma/mtwash/)
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on July 15, 2015, 08:10:17 PM
It's still there. Argilla Rd is a town road, so I don't expect it to go away any time soon. The sign at Northgate Rd on MA 133 was replaced with a new green square one though.
Ipswich actually has a decent number of old signs on town roads, including some decades-old warning signs on MA 1A/133 east of the Choate Bridge, and these unfortunately now broken gems on Topsfield Rd (https://goo.gl/maps/FgY88).
The surrounding towns (e.g. Georgetown (https://goo.gl/maps/AxO5m)) have quite a few remaining "arrow through number" signs as well. Including at least one arrow through a 95. A few old shields (https://goo.gl/maps/L8z7b) if you know where to look as well.
That was my experience as well when I was there as well. They're all either so worn they're almost illegible, or the town has recently repainted them. Steve has good coverage of them on his site. (http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/ma/mtwash/)
Here's an old 2-route paddle sign from further west on MA 113. (https://goo.gl/maps/ZRtNe)
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on July 15, 2015, 08:10:17 PMThe surrounding towns (e.g. Georgetown (https://goo.gl/maps/AxO5m)) have quite a few remaining "arrow through number" signs as well. Including at least one arrow through a 95.
That assembly's likely from the late 80s/early 90s. IMHO, the only thing that D6 panel needs is just a new I-95 shield (to replace the faded one).
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on July 15, 2015, 08:10:17 PMA few old shields (https://goo.gl/maps/L8z7b) if you know where to look as well.
I mentioned similar in another thread but will repost here. Here's another old surviving MassDPW route shield for MA 129 (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Swampscott,+MA/@42.476904,-70.883312,3a,75y,286.07h,71.96t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sOLxjrpbKDaymBifpaf3z3A!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DOLxjrpbKDaymBifpaf3z3A%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D100%26h%3D80%26yaw%3D122.63936%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656!4m2!3m1!1s0x89e36b4bd51d3251:0xbcd2926a40178c1f!6m1!1e1) near Preston Beach in Swampscott.
Quote from: bob7374 on July 15, 2015, 11:39:42 PMHere's an old 2-route paddle sign from further west on MA 113. (https://goo.gl/maps/ZRtNe)
Judging by the taller first letters on the direction cardinals; that D6/D8 LGS set-up is from the 1990s and fabricated shortly before then-MassHighway changed their layout format.
Quote from: PHLBOS on July 16, 2015, 08:55:59 AM
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on July 15, 2015, 08:10:17 PMThe surrounding towns (e.g. Georgetown (https://goo.gl/maps/AxO5m)) have quite a few remaining "arrow through number" signs as well. Including at least one arrow through a 95.
That assembly's likely from the late 80s/early 90s. IMHO, the only thing that D6 panel needs is just a new I-95 shield (to replace the faded one).
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on July 15, 2015, 08:10:17 PMA few old shields (https://goo.gl/maps/L8z7b) if you know where to look as well.
I mentioned similar in another thread but will repost here. Here's another old surviving MassDPW route shield for MA 129 (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Swampscott,+MA/@42.476904,-70.883312,3a,75y,286.07h,71.96t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sOLxjrpbKDaymBifpaf3z3A!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DOLxjrpbKDaymBifpaf3z3A%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D100%26h%3D80%26yaw%3D122.63936%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656!4m2!3m1!1s0x89e36b4bd51d3251:0xbcd2926a40178c1f!6m1!1e1) near Preston Beach in Swampscott.
Quote from: bob7374 on July 15, 2015, 11:39:42 PMHere's an old 2-route paddle sign from further west on MA 113. (https://goo.gl/maps/ZRtNe)
Judging by the taller first letters on the direction cardinals; that D6/D8 LGS set-up is from the 1990s and fabricated shortly before then-MassHighway changed their layout format.
The rounded corners on the border also peg these signs as being replaced in the early 1990s. I'd say this set was likely changed out under either accident recovery or the District sign maintenance contract, as the support post appears to predate the panels (SOP for D6/D8 sign replacement in construction projects is to replace both the signs and posts in most cases).
Quote from: Beeper1 on July 01, 2015, 11:35:17 PM
There may still be some white cut corner ones out in the town of Mt. Washington. Las time I was there (2013) most were still there but either pretty badly faded or had been repainted by the town and no longer had their original paint.
They were all still on concrete posts with the state shield medallion in them.
The last time I was over in Mount Washington town, I believe that a number of the white cut corner signs were replaced.
Quote from: bob7374 on July 15, 2015, 11:39:42 PM
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on July 15, 2015, 08:10:17 PM
It's still there. Argilla Rd is a town road, so I don't expect it to go away any time soon. The sign at Northgate Rd on MA 133 was replaced with a new green square one though.
Ipswich actually has a decent number of old signs on town roads, including some decades-old warning signs on MA 1A/133 east of the Choate Bridge, and these unfortunately now broken gems on Topsfield Rd (https://goo.gl/maps/FgY88).
The surrounding towns (e.g. Georgetown (https://goo.gl/maps/AxO5m)) have quite a few remaining "arrow through number" signs as well. Including at least one arrow through a 95. A few old shields (https://goo.gl/maps/L8z7b) if you know where to look as well.
That was my experience as well when I was there as well. They're all either so worn they're almost illegible, or the town has recently repainted them. Steve has good coverage of them on his site. (http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/ma/mtwash/)
Here's an old 2-route paddle sign from further west on MA 113. (https://goo.gl/maps/ZRtNe)
Sadly that one is gone with the new Groveland bridge rebuilt beside it. New D6/D8 panels with the actual route shield on the sign when the bridge opened and the intersection was rebuilt, probably all done sometime last year.
Older wooden one in the middle of the East Longmeadow rotary
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.064682,-72.512817,3a,75y,90h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sLwX9L4jRPZKzskr0O6ES_g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Ivory Street in Braintree
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.207362,-70.999837,3a,77.4y,13.11h,80.22t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sqpUCAHh-oFsUXclkxMGQNA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1
Quote from: spooky on July 20, 2015, 06:51:46 AM
Ivory Street in Braintree
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.207362,-70.999837,3a,77.4y,13.11h,80.22t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sqpUCAHh-oFsUXclkxMGQNA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1
Judging by the font (note the
600 numerals); that D6 LGS is probably from the late 70s/early 80s.
Quote from: PHLBOS on July 20, 2015, 09:22:54 AM
Quote from: spooky on July 20, 2015, 06:51:46 AM
Ivory Street in Braintree
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.207362,-70.999837,3a,77.4y,13.11h,80.22t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sqpUCAHh-oFsUXclkxMGQNA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1
Judging by the font (note the 600 numerals); that D6 LGS is probably from the late 70s/early 80s.
Seems likely. There are a number of BGS and paddle sign relics around the Braintree T station.
It's too bad these signs are being replaced, because this was a distinctive MA thing. They remind me of a bike trip I did as a teen. I rode from Plainville, CT, to Pepperell. They are also fond reminders of my college days in the Commonwealth too.
Another distinctive road sign are the town line signs. These are a good welcome back, since I now live in New Yuck, and would die to move back to New England.
Quote from: Conn. Roads on April 27, 2016, 09:04:39 PMAnother distinctive road sign are the town line signs. These are a good welcome back, since I now live in New Yuck, and would die to move back to New England.
Are you referring to the
ENTERING XXXXXX bookleaf signs or the tri-street blade signs (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.1538124,-72.0926222,3a,75y,188.4h,68.76t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sKGzMn2pRTnOghf0ZkFzDxw!2e0!7i3328!8i1664!6m1!1e1) (normally seen on unnumbered roads & typically local installations) pardon the blurry GSV?
As far as I know, neither of those signs styles are changing. Roadman can confirm/correct.
Quote from: PHLBOS on April 28, 2016, 11:52:14 AM
Quote from: Conn. Roads on April 27, 2016, 09:04:39 PMAnother distinctive road sign are the town line signs. These are a good welcome back, since I now live in New Yuck, and would die to move back to New England.
Are you referring to the ENTERING XXXXXX bookleaf signs or the tri-street blade signs (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.1538124,-72.0926222,3a,75y,188.4h,68.76t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sKGzMn2pRTnOghf0ZkFzDxw!2e0!7i3328!8i1664!6m1!1e1) (normally seen on unnumbered roads & typically local installations) pardon the blurry GSV?
As far as I know, neither of those signs styles are changing. Roadman can confirm/correct.
PHLBOS is correct. MassDOT has no plans to change the format or design of town line signs on secondary state highways or other local roads where towns have requested such signs be placed.
Please excuse the untimeliness of this reply--
Would just like to point out a few more of these. I've grown up seeing these and taking them for granted (I'm 19) because there's still so many in my area!
The intersection of Routes 113 (Pleasant St.) and 38 (Bridge St.) in Dracut has paddles all four ways, as well as the 113 Eastbound at the "Y" with Hovey Street.
Another set of signs, both directions, are in the islands at the intersection of Rte 113 (Riverside St.) and the VFW Highway, in Lowell.
Again, sorry for the untimeliness.