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Regional Boards => Mountain West => Topic started by: N9JIG on December 12, 2015, 07:39:44 PM

Title: Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ
Post by: N9JIG on December 12, 2015, 07:39:44 PM
On the way from Phoenix to Las Vegas the other day I noted a couple white on green US-93 markers on NB US-93 north of Wickenburg AZ. The directional banner as also white on green.

There were 2 sets NB that I noticed, just a few miles north of Wickenburg. I didn't see any matching SB signs but I could have missed them. I was unable to get a pic as it was starting to get dark.

At first i thought it was a resurrection of the old colored route markers AZ used in the past or perhaps something to do with the I-11 project...

Any ideas?
Title: Re: Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ
Post by: mwb1848 on December 16, 2015, 04:34:43 PM
Here's a quick pic I snapped a few weeks ago:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi907.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fac274%2Fmartinbartlett%2FIMG_2405_zpsz1zpleym.jpg&hash=eecdf53f0237d4d6db17d22156a106173a788c6a) (http://s907.photobucket.com/user/martinbartlett/media/IMG_2405_zpsz1zpleym.jpg.html)

It's such a small portion and it's only on the newly reconstructed section so it seems like a contractor's error more than anything else -- but a happy coincidence that green was the color used on US 93 shields once-upon-a-time.
Title: Re: Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ
Post by: ModernDayWarrior on December 16, 2015, 07:46:21 PM
^ I like it! Then again, I liked Florida's differently colored US route shields, too.
Title: Re: Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ
Post by: N9JIG on December 16, 2015, 08:27:15 PM
Well, that verifies that it is in both directions anyway!
Title: Re: Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ
Post by: Alps on December 21, 2015, 06:47:20 PM
Can someone clarify how far north of Wickenburg? I plan to pass through there next year on US 60 and I'll detour if it's within "a few miles" - but that's too vague. The first set would be fine.
Title: Re: Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ
Post by: N9JIG on December 21, 2015, 06:52:36 PM
It was just 5 or 10 miles north, just inside Yavapai County. I think it was very close to the AZ-89 cutoff.
Title: Re: Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ
Post by: corco on December 22, 2015, 01:22:37 AM
That picture looks like it was taken at MP 189, which would be about right https://goo.gl/maps/7xnqgvV8Je42, just as was described.
Title: Re: Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ
Post by: jwolfer on December 27, 2015, 04:16:39 PM
I like it.. I have thought that freeway sections of US highways should have a colored scheme.  Yes I know this section is not freeway.  But seeing the pic shows how the current US 93 is sufficient for Las Vegas-Phoenix no need for I-11
Title: Re: Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ
Post by: mwb1848 on December 27, 2015, 04:41:31 PM
Quote from: jwolfer on December 27, 2015, 04:16:39 PM
I like it.. I have thought that freeway sections of US highways should have a colored scheme.  Yes I know this section is not freeway.  But seeing the pic shows how the current US 93 is sufficient for Las Vegas-Phoenix no need for I-11

I drove this route for the first time a few weeks ago and was left with the exact opposite impression. I-11 is absolutely needed between Phoenix and Vegas. These four-laned sections are a good start. However, there are still many sections which are two-lanes and absolutely need upgrading. Ultimately, this entire corridor needs to be upgraded. So, bring on I-11.  :cool:
Title: Re: Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ
Post by: N9JIG on December 27, 2015, 06:06:03 PM
I am with the I=11 crowd. As a resident of the area I-11 is going to be a great boon for me. I live 30 miles from Wickenburg and about 10 miles from the I-10 corridor and it will be great to head to the northwest from here. Phoenix to Las Vegas is a growing corridor and US-93 is getting pretty overtaxed, even in the 4-lane segments. It will also relieve the very busy I-17 to the east.
Title: Re: Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ
Post by: pumpkineater2 on December 27, 2015, 07:47:45 PM
Quote from: N9JIG on December 27, 2015, 06:06:03 PM
It will also relieve the very busy I-17 to the east.

I doubt that once I-11 is completed it will have any effect on I-17 at all, as any traffic that would use interstate 11 is already using US-93, and not I-17. I agree with you though that I-11 is needed in Arizona and I look forward to it becoming reality.
Title: Re: Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ
Post by: Alps on December 29, 2015, 01:15:17 AM
Quote from: corco on December 22, 2015, 01:22:37 AM
That picture looks like it was taken at MP 189, which would be about right https://goo.gl/maps/7xnqgvV8Je42, just as was described.
Around 10-11 miles north of US 60? OK. Unlikely but possible.
Title: Re: Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ
Post by: N9JIG on January 03, 2016, 03:10:31 PM
OK, so we went out for a Sunday Drive and snapped some decent pics. There are 2 of these sign sets NB, about MP 190 and 188 just north of Wickenburg. I only saw 1 SB in the mirror but we took a different route back so I might have missed others. (https://goo.gl/maps/ZUsfnSP8GVz)

The furthest south sign on the NB side:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.n9jig.com%2F010316%2FGreenUS93.jpg&hash=35d1d9ac0d6301ef207b2b80b671503de96d178d)


The stickers on the back indicate the signs were posted by a contractor; Zumar of Surprise AZ (30 or 40 miles away) in November 2015:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.n9jig.com%2F010316%2FZumar.jpg&hash=1c60eb0580312f06d74da5e154b1bfeb0b28ae03)


The pavement markings presumably from AZ-DOT to direct the signs. If anyone can interpret these and let us know what they mean I would appreciate it!
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.n9jig.com%2F010316%2FMarkings.jpg&hash=0ad53c6d908153582892e9b9696b331b16e8a189)

A couple miles ahead is the Future I-11 Corridor sign:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.n9jig.com%2F010316%2FI11Corridor.jpg&hash=d4b203e8eb37caffa9bf1d3c615b68079e8c7e10)
Title: Re: Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ
Post by: N9JIG on January 03, 2016, 03:19:18 PM
Quote from: Alps on December 29, 2015, 01:15:17 AM
Quote from: corco on December 22, 2015, 01:22:37 AM
That picture looks like it was taken at MP 189, which would be about right https://goo.gl/maps/7xnqgvV8Je42, just as was described.
Around 10-11 miles north of US 60? OK. Unlikely but possible.

9.38 miles measured, I would say 10-11 was a pretty good guess!
Title: Re: Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ
Post by: roadfro on January 04, 2016, 04:50:21 AM
Quote from: N9JIG on January 03, 2016, 03:10:31 PM
The pavement markings presumably from AZ-DOT to direct the signs. If anyone can interpret these and let us know what they mean I would appreciate it!
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.n9jig.com%2F010316%2FMarkings.jpg&hash=0ad53c6d908153582892e9b9696b331b16e8a189)

I think the markings are pointing out the point in that has been circled. These markings are indicative of something on the survey line that was used for constructing the roadway or a feature thereof.

The first bit of text says "15' CL S". This is seeming to indicate 15 feet from centerline (the overlapping 'CL' is survey/engineer shorthand for 'centerline'). The 'S' may indicate 'south side' or something similar – not quite sure on this one.

The "345+00" represents a station on the project survey line. A station represents the distance, usually in 100s of feet, from the beginning of the survey line. (For example, station 285+75.36 would be 28,575.36 feet from the beginning of the survey line.) Typically, engineering drawings will call out the locations of most, if not all, roadway features (signposts, ends of culverts, radius point on a curb, etc.) by station location and distance left or right from the survey line at that station. Note also that the construction survey line is not necessarily the roadway centerline.
Title: Re: Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ
Post by: Henry on January 04, 2016, 10:29:58 AM
Those green US 93 signs are cool! Until I saw them, I used to think that colored US route shields only existed in FL. When were they used in AZ?

And BTW, I'm part of the pro-I-11 crowd!
Title: Re: Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ
Post by: N9JIG on January 04, 2016, 12:05:30 PM
As I understand it they used various colors for US Markers in Arizona back in the 1950's. I don't know if the color was based on direction or route number.
Title: Re: Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ
Post by: Alex on January 04, 2016, 02:53:52 PM
Quote from: N9JIG on January 04, 2016, 12:05:30 PM
As I understand it they used various colors for US Markers in Arizona back in the 1950's. I don't know if the color was based on direction or route number.

Based upon cardinal direction (//www.aaroads.com/shields/show.php?image=AZ19610404):

(//www.aaroads.com/shields/img/AZ/AZ19610404i1.jpg)
Title: Re: Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ
Post by: N9JIG on January 04, 2016, 03:24:53 PM
So if they were to return to this system the NB markers would be orange and the SB green.

My guess is that it was a contractor error. I don't see AZ-DOT going off the MUTCD for something like this.
Title: Re: Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ
Post by: 707 on January 05, 2016, 11:59:08 PM
Quote from: jwolfer on December 27, 2015, 04:16:39 PM
I like it.. I have thought that freeway sections of US highways should have a colored scheme.  Yes I know this section is not freeway.  But seeing the pic shows how the current US 93 is sufficient for Las Vegas-Phoenix no need for I-11

If you travelled the road and heard about how many fatal front ends caused by high traffic, you'd change your mind immediately. It doesn't look like much, until you see 15 semi trucks going over 55 on a two lane road with very few if any shoulders and no passing lane. Then when you try to pass, you're in the opposite direction's lane and front end it with a sedan, get serious thousand dollar medical wounds, angry insurance company policies, lawsuits and the fact you've pretty much shut down all of US 93 from I-40 to Wickenburg for the next two days. We should really be saying, I-11 or some four lane divided highway needs to come faster than it is right now!
Title: Re: Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ
Post by: jwolfer on January 06, 2016, 07:58:44 AM
Quote from: 707 on January 05, 2016, 11:59:08 PM
Quote from: jwolfer on December 27, 2015, 04:16:39 PM
I like it.. I have thought that freeway sections of US highways should have a colored scheme.  Yes I know this section is not freeway.  But seeing the pic shows how the current US 93 is sufficient for Las Vegas-Phoenix no need for I-11

If you travelled the road and heard about how many fatal front ends caused by high traffic, you'd change your mind immediately. It doesn't look like much, until you see 15 semi trucks going over 55 on a two lane road with very few if any shoulders and no passing lane. Then when you try to pass, you're in the opposite direction's lane and front end it with a sedan, get serious thousand dollar medical wounds, angry insurance company policies, lawsuits and the fact you've pretty much shut down all of US 93 from I-40 to Wickenburg for the next two days. We should really be saying, I-11 or some four lane divided highway needs to come faster than it is right now!
I agree about the 2 Lane highway.. Make it a 4 lane nin freeway, reserve enough ROW for future upgrade, that way it can be finished quicker
Title: Re: Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ
Post by: Quillz on January 10, 2016, 04:09:22 PM
Quote from: N9JIG on January 04, 2016, 03:24:53 PM
So if they were to return to this system the NB markers would be orange and the SB green.

My guess is that it was a contractor error. I don't see AZ-DOT going off the MUTCD for something like this.
It's also California-style US route shield (or a 1961 cutout shape, I guess). Notice the shield is curvier than the 1970 federal standard.
Title: Re: Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ
Post by: kdk on February 19, 2016, 05:39:14 PM
I noticed these too myself.  They look really out of place but I like them. 

I do know that even though this new section is open, that it's not "officially" done- ADOT opened it but they still have plans to fully pave the top layer and that project would come in the spring.  My only thought was that these were some sort of temporary signs like a work in progress or something.  I guess we'll know if they get changed out in a few months.  Never saw this on any other part of 93 during any of the projects and I travel it regularly.
Title: Re: Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ
Post by: kdk on March 07, 2016, 01:23:17 AM
Drove this route again this past week.  The green signs are gone- were replaced with the standard black/white 93 signs, same as the rest of the highway.  Must have been a contractor error.
Title: Re: Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ
Post by: N9JIG on March 08, 2016, 07:12:07 PM
Quote from: kdk on March 07, 2016, 01:23:17 AM
Drove this route again this past week.  The green signs are gone- were replaced with the standard black/white 93 signs, same as the rest of the highway.  Must have been a contractor error.

Thanks for the update! I am glad I got some shots in before they disappeared.

I would have liked to heard the reason for the screw-up. Did someone from A-DOT make an error on the order? Did the shop read the order wrong? Did the guy masking the signs draw out the wrong material? Was QC taking the day off?
Title: Re: Green route Markers, US-93 Yavapai Co. AZ
Post by: Max Rockatansky on March 08, 2016, 09:20:42 PM
I've ended up with a lot of Zumar signs out of Arizona over the years, that's the worst error I've seen them make but then again I'm used to them mostly making Interstate signs in the state.  Their signs tend to make it to EBay quite often, someone might be able to snag a cool piece if they have their eye out long enough.