AARoads Forum

National Boards => General Highway Talk => Traffic Control => Topic started by: dbz77 on August 23, 2019, 07:11:42 PM

Title: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: dbz77 on August 23, 2019, 07:11:42 PM
Here is an example from Anaheim in 1959.

https://goo.gl/maps/q4N6opWENk7iZT7w6

I wonder why traffic signals in southern California are no longer mounted on wooden utility poles. I never seen one personally, so I guess the practice stopped around the 1960's.
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: Big John on August 23, 2019, 07:29:54 PM
Near Appleton WI: https://goo.gl/maps/rgEwnN1qqVNWQBUL8
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: kphoger on August 23, 2019, 09:02:26 PM
Quote from: dbz77 on August 23, 2019, 07:11:42 PM
Here is an example from Anaheim in 1959.

https://goo.gl/maps/q4N6opWENk7iZT7w6

I wonder why traffic signals in southern California are no longer mounted on wooden utility poles. I never seen one personally, so I guess the practice stopped around the 1960's.

What am I missing?  I don't see any traffic signals mounted on wooden utility poles in that GSV.
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: steviep24 on August 23, 2019, 09:21:54 PM
Here's one I know of in Rochester, NY. That one may be the last signal left that's mounted on wooden poles in the city.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1594791,-77.6541578,3a,75y,188.25h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sxZQ3NOlakV5a-TsJ7oQmQA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en&authuser=0

Also, it is common in my area for beacons to be mounted on span wire strung from wooden poles.

EDIT: Looks like this signal may be removed soon as this intersection was recently converted to an all way stop.
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: dbz77 on August 24, 2019, 01:56:24 PM
Quote from: kphoger on August 23, 2019, 09:02:26 PM
Quote from: dbz77 on August 23, 2019, 07:11:42 PM
Here is an example from Anaheim in 1959.

https://goo.gl/maps/q4N6opWENk7iZT7w6

I wonder why traffic signals in southern California are no longer mounted on wooden utility poles. I never seen one personally, so I guess the practice stopped around the 1960's.

What am I missing?  I don't see any traffic signals mounted on wooden utility poles in that GSV.
Try this.

https://www.davelandweb.com/entrance/images/50s/Drall_SignMonorail50s.jpg
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: steviep24 on August 25, 2019, 10:13:30 AM
This is at the intersection of Flatbush and Ave. U that was discussed in this thread. (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=17051.0) One of the mast arms is attached to a wooden utility pole.

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.609753,-73.9226955,3a,75y,156.03h,78.86t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7adKAhPTgCuTlqfzL5WY2g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

EDIT TO ADD: I found other intersections in NYC with signals attached to wooden utility poles so it must be a common practice there outside of Manhattan.
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: Ian on August 26, 2019, 08:12:48 AM
It's fairly common to come across span-wire signals hung off wooden utility poles (https://goo.gl/maps/TT9VYwRU37qsHkv17) around Maine.
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: Brandon on August 26, 2019, 01:22:53 PM
Common for temporary signals in Illinois, no matter how long said temporary signals are in place (years, decades?).
https://goo.gl/maps/gYCJN8Pok2K8xFW2A
https://goo.gl/maps/HnUPXxddmKSqAFBQ9
https://goo.gl/maps/hK78avcMUcaxnFVv8 (since replaced)
https://goo.gl/maps/xaSbMGfSeo2J2CqH8 (temporary signals with permanent signals covered up for construction)
https://goo.gl/maps/FqmjdTe65UrmD2YUA (during construction)
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: roadman65 on August 27, 2019, 11:37:32 AM
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/48384458012/in/album-72157635265627400/
On La 1 where it interchanges with I-49.

NC and SC use these quite regular in their states, so its not  completely uncommon.
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: kphoger on August 27, 2019, 02:43:13 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on August 27, 2019, 11:37:32 AM
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/48384458012/in/album-72157635265627400/
On La 1 where it interchanges with I-49.

NC and SC use these quite regular in their states, so its not  completely uncommon.

Is that a utility pole, though?  I don't see any other utilities hooked up to it.
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: bcroadguy on August 30, 2019, 02:44:15 AM
There are a few older mast arms mounted on wooden utility poles in and around Victoria BC:

https://www.google.ca/maps/@48.4311161,-123.3645317,3a,41y,115.96h,100.91t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1slEG2_3C7515lm_W34P4m2A!2e0!5s20180501T000000!7i13312!8i6656 (upgraded shiny new mast arm, still on wooden pole)

https://www.google.ca/maps/@48.4308135,-123.3903604,3a,44.1y,301.69h,94.76t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1s_LkI0IA5NR_qOh-zTGKFHw!2e0!5s20140501T000000!6s%2F%2Fgeo2.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3D_LkI0IA5NR_qOh-zTGKFHw%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D173.82304%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656


https://www.google.ca/maps/@48.4299052,-123.4169283,3a,49.9y,251.87h,96.35t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1svtqvK3GEsVrFcd-xN8At6w!2e0!5s20140501T000000!7i13312!8i6656 (also has rare 12-8-8-8-8 signals)

There were also a few signals on span wires hanging from wooden utility poles in Victoria, but I think they're all gone now.



Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: roadfro on September 01, 2019, 01:39:41 PM
A bit off topic, but...

Quote from: bcroadguy on August 30, 2019, 02:44:15 AM
https://www.google.ca/maps/@48.4299052,-123.4169283,3a,49.9y,251.87h,96.35t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1svtqvK3GEsVrFcd-xN8At6w!2e0!5s20140501T000000!7i13312!8i6656 (also has rare 12-8-8-8-8 signals)

At this same intersection, take a look at the signal masts and mast arms on the other corners. This is a unique style I haven't seen before.
https://goo.gl/maps/VLJwBtKXghaHQffa9
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: PHLBOS on September 03, 2019, 09:38:13 AM
Just outside of Morton, PA (Delaware County).

2012 GSV showing utility pole-mounted signal at the PA 420 (Kedron Ave.) & Franklin Ave. intersection. (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9066197,-75.3257241,3a,75y,63.06h,83.82t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1swDWHdLBgz03IxxDfPMrFhg!2e0!5s20120401T000000!7i13312!8i6656)

2018 GSV of the same intersection showing utility pole-mounted signals on a new, shortened utility pole. (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9066346,-75.3257361,3a,75y,84.44h,80.39t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1shwypyi4gDR2MqkiEQdvzrg!2e0!5s20181001T000000!7i16384!8i8192)
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: roadfro on September 04, 2019, 10:43:16 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on September 03, 2019, 09:38:13 AM
Just outside of Morton, PA (Delaware County).

2012 GSV showing utility pole-mounted signal at the PA 420 (Kedron Ave.) & Franklin Ave. intersection. (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9066197,-75.3257241,3a,75y,63.06h,83.82t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1swDWHdLBgz03IxxDfPMrFhg!2e0!5s20120401T000000!7i13312!8i6656)

2018 GSV of the same intersection showing utility pole-mounted signals on a new, shortened utility pole. (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9066346,-75.3257361,3a,75y,84.44h,80.39t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1shwypyi4gDR2MqkiEQdvzrg!2e0!5s20181001T000000!7i16384!8i8192)

And, on the diagonally opposite corner, an older style signal mounted on a wood post was replaced by a contemporary signal and post similar to the two other corners.
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: PHLBOS on September 04, 2019, 11:21:04 AM
Quote from: roadfro on September 04, 2019, 10:43:16 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on September 03, 2019, 09:38:13 AM
Just outside of Morton, PA (Delaware County).

2012 GSV showing utility pole-mounted signal at the PA 420 (Kedron Ave.) & Franklin Ave. intersection. (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9066197,-75.3257241,3a,75y,63.06h,83.82t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1swDWHdLBgz03IxxDfPMrFhg!2e0!5s20120401T000000!7i13312!8i6656)

2018 GSV of the same intersection showing utility pole-mounted signals on a new, shortened utility pole. (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9066346,-75.3257361,3a,75y,84.44h,80.39t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1shwypyi4gDR2MqkiEQdvzrg!2e0!5s20181001T000000!7i16384!8i8192)

And, on the diagonally opposite corner, an older style signal mounted on a wood post was replaced by a contemporary signal and post similar to the two other corners.
True, but I was mainly focused on installations that are presently still around.
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: roadfro on September 04, 2019, 11:46:11 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on September 04, 2019, 11:21:04 AM
Quote from: roadfro on September 04, 2019, 10:43:16 AM
Quote from: PHLBOS on September 03, 2019, 09:38:13 AM
Just outside of Morton, PA (Delaware County).

2012 GSV showing utility pole-mounted signal at the PA 420 (Kedron Ave.) & Franklin Ave. intersection. (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9066197,-75.3257241,3a,75y,63.06h,83.82t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1swDWHdLBgz03IxxDfPMrFhg!2e0!5s20120401T000000!7i13312!8i6656)

2018 GSV of the same intersection showing utility pole-mounted signals on a new, shortened utility pole. (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9066346,-75.3257361,3a,75y,84.44h,80.39t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1shwypyi4gDR2MqkiEQdvzrg!2e0!5s20181001T000000!7i16384!8i8192)

And, on the diagonally opposite corner, an older style signal mounted on a wood post was replaced by a contemporary signal and post similar to the two other corners.
True, but I was mainly focused on installations that are presently still around.
I suppose that makes the current installation all the more intriguing. They removed a wood post on one corner to be replaced by a metal post, but the other corner they replaced with another wood post. (And the wood post kept also holds the signal controller cabinet, which is also interesting to me at least.)
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: roadman65 on September 05, 2019, 10:31:24 AM
Quote from: kphoger on August 27, 2019, 02:43:13 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on August 27, 2019, 11:37:32 AM
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/48384458012/in/album-72157635265627400/
On La 1 where it interchanges with I-49.

NC and SC use these quite regular in their states, so its not  completely uncommon.

Is that a utility pole, though?  I don't see any other utilities hooked up to it.
If you are talking about poles used for power already no, I thought this thread was about the nature of the type of pole.   As both NC and SC do use those type of poles to mount their span wires from, though in Santee, SC I see at the intersections of US 15 & 301 and SC 6 & Old 15 & 301 they used metal poles there now.  So maybe that state could be wising up some and caring about aethstetics finally.
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: plain on September 05, 2019, 01:02:51 PM
A 5-section signal on a utility pole in Richmond at Three Chopt Rd & Grove Ave

https://maps.app.goo.gl/FdDRm1MhvvC39J6k8

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190905/e25186121c477f1f0995e456794ee10c.jpg)

SM-S820L

Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: roadman65 on September 07, 2019, 11:03:35 AM

https://goo.gl/maps/iaZuEuFeXzm846KR7 Staten Island, NY has mast arms extending from wooden utility poles.  Also some other mount for permissive turn at that same intersection https://goo.gl/maps/NGszLZ2uuQ5bJs1z5

Anyway, sorry I did not see the original thread meaning as we have so many users on here who bring up past threads or the obvious at times.  I should have known when the regulars on here did not post a link to another thread that was talked about already.   When I seen the wooden poles in the title it automatically made me think of the Carolinas as your mind becomes numb after a while from seeing the same words over and over again.
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: jay8g on September 08, 2019, 03:27:36 AM
One of Seattle's historic Pioneer Square signals (https://www.google.com/maps/@47.5982975,-122.3341183,3a,50.6y,141.71h,92.45t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFPEYBZHymWaFypzUv7TTFg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en) is mounted on a standard wood utility pole, rather than the historic metal poles the rest are on. I've always found it a little funny how such a fancy signal is mounted on a boring pole like that, but it's quite possible that's just how it's always been.

There are way too many span wire signals using shared utility poles to count around here! That's never really struck me as something out of the ordinary, but I guess it is in other places...
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: roadman65 on September 08, 2019, 09:33:44 AM
Quote from: Ian on August 26, 2019, 08:12:48 AM
It's fairly common to come across span-wire signals hung off wooden utility poles (https://goo.gl/maps/TT9VYwRU37qsHkv17) around Maine.
To me the whole thing looks cheap.  I prefer span wires to be hung on metal poles or concrete ones as both Florida and Puerto Rico uses.

Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: lepidopteran on November 05, 2019, 02:25:35 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on September 07, 2019, 11:03:35 AM

https://goo.gl/maps/iaZuEuFeXzm846KR7 Staten Island, NY has mast arms extending from wooden utility poles.  Also some other mount for permissive turn at that same intersection https://goo.gl/maps/NGszLZ2uuQ5bJs1z5
And in the borough of Queens
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49015366928_c271c38fcd_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hFjyVf)
r_191104025_beat0072_a (https://flic.kr/p/2hFjyVf) by Mitch Waxman (https://www.flickr.com/photos/mitchwaxman/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: paulthemapguy on November 05, 2019, 09:16:38 PM
Here's one that's a bit strange for those found in Illinois, as it has side-mounted signal heads attached directly to the poles. https://goo.gl/maps/xaH7qfEbRrU2KKSF8
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: 7/8 on November 05, 2019, 10:45:48 PM
Some of the lights at Speedsville Rd and Maple Grove Rd in Cambridge, ON are on wooden hydro poles:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.4287112,-80.3551536,3a,75y,261.26h,89.69t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7GaED-6ob_CUheTHnoPj5w!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 (https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.4287112,-80.3551536,3a,75y,261.26h,89.69t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7GaED-6ob_CUheTHnoPj5w!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)

I'll have to keep an eye out for other examples, but I don't think it's too common in my area.
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: kphoger on November 06, 2019, 02:15:32 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on November 05, 2019, 09:16:38 PM
Here's one that's a bit strange for those found in Illinois, as it has side-mounted signal heads attached directly to the poles. https://goo.gl/maps/xaH7qfEbRrU2KKSF8

From my perspective, those wooden poles aren't supporting any utilities other than the electricity feeding directly to the stoplights.  Should we really call those "utility poles", then?  If they were made of metal, I doubt you would even look twice.
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: MNHighwayMan on November 07, 2019, 08:18:36 AM
Quote from: kphoger on November 06, 2019, 02:15:32 PM
From my perspective, those wooden poles aren't supporting any utilities other than the electricity feeding directly to the stoplights.  Should we really call those "utility poles", then?  If they were made of metal, I doubt you would even look twice.

I think you might be taking the term "utility pole" a bit too literally.

Edit: What do I call such poles, anyway? What's the term for just the pole itself, regardless of what's attached to it? Merely a "wood pole?" I honestly don't know. I've always called them utility poles, even without utilities on them.
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: DaBigE on November 07, 2019, 09:08:54 AM
Fond du Lac, WI (https://goo.gl/maps/LExNW191HMcW3joR7) Mounted to the conduit that is attached to the utility pole. Also, probably one of the shortest arms I've ever seen for a horizontally-mounted signal head.

Madison, WI (https://goo.gl/maps/EdYehXW2aVEFqzAaA)
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: kphoger on November 07, 2019, 12:37:48 PM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on November 07, 2019, 08:18:36 AM

Quote from: kphoger on November 06, 2019, 02:15:32 PM
From my perspective, those wooden poles aren't supporting any utilities other than the electricity feeding directly to the stoplights.  Should we really call those "utility poles", then?  If they were made of metal, I doubt you would even look twice.

I think you might be taking the term "utility pole" a bit too literally.

Edit: What do I call such poles, anyway? What's the term for just the pole itself, regardless of what's attached to it? Merely a "wood pole?" I honestly don't know. I've always called them utility poles, even without utilities on them.

Yeah, I suppose you're right.  I hadn't thought this deeply about it when I first posted that, but...  Considering that the poles are right there with the utilities, I'm 99% certain they're owned by the electric company, which in and of itself should qualify them for being called "utility poles":  they are, after all, poles owned by the utility company.  If they were a decent distance away from the electric mainline, then it would be possible they're owned by another entity, but that's not the case here.

As for nomenclature, the term I'm most familiar with is "bump pole", which is an intermediate pole between the mainline and the premise if the distance is too great for a single span.  That's not exactly the same as here, but the pole itself would be identical.
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: kphoger on November 07, 2019, 12:39:31 PM
Quote from: DaBigE on November 07, 2019, 09:08:54 AM
Fond du Lac, WI (https://goo.gl/maps/LExNW191HMcW3joR7) Mounted to the conduit that is attached to the utility pole.

That one's pretty sweet!
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: steviep24 on November 07, 2019, 04:29:04 PM
Quote from: kphoger on November 07, 2019, 12:39:31 PM
Quote from: DaBigE on November 07, 2019, 09:08:54 AM
Fond du Lac, WI (https://goo.gl/maps/LExNW191HMcW3joR7) Mounted to the conduit that is attached to the utility pole.

That one's pretty sweet!
On that same pole there's a horizontal signal attached to the conduit.
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.7697225,-88.4570306,3a,30y,221.51h,97.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sIoZj718Dm5OrVUK4M-a5Kw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: DaBigE on November 07, 2019, 10:12:41 PM
Quote from: steviep24 on November 07, 2019, 04:29:04 PM
Quote from: kphoger on November 07, 2019, 12:39:31 PM
Quote from: DaBigE on November 07, 2019, 09:08:54 AM
Fond du Lac, WI (https://goo.gl/maps/LExNW191HMcW3joR7) Mounted to the conduit that is attached to the utility pole.

That one's pretty sweet!
On that same pole there's a horizontal signal attached to the conduit.
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.7697225,-88.4570306,3a,30y,221.51h,97.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sIoZj718Dm5OrVUK4M-a5Kw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

If you look closer, that one is banded to the pole: https://goo.gl/maps/YPo9P3KA6NphY5uBA (https://goo.gl/maps/YPo9P3KA6NphY5uBA)
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: kphoger on November 08, 2019, 01:55:54 PM
Quote from: steviep24 on November 07, 2019, 04:29:04 PM
On that same pole there's a horizontal signal attached to the conduit.
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.7697225,-88.4570306,3a,30y,221.51h,97.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sIoZj718Dm5OrVUK4M-a5Kw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Yep.  He mentioned it in his post already.

Quote from: DaBigE on November 07, 2019, 09:08:54 AM
Fond du Lac, WI (https://goo.gl/maps/LExNW191HMcW3joR7) Mounted to the conduit that is attached to the utility pole. Also, probably one of the shortest arms I've ever seen for a horizontally-mounted signal head.
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: silveradoman298 on February 14, 2020, 11:13:06 AM
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.5160917,-82.9686238,3a,42.9y,357.76h,90.01t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1staLwdQdfN8ANrz3893iuaA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.5160917,-82.9686238,3a,42.9y,357.76h,90.01t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1staLwdQdfN8ANrz3893iuaA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)

This Michigan setup is becoming a rarity.
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: jakeroot on March 02, 2020, 01:57:10 PM
Here's one (not unlike some of the above) where the signal is directly mounted to the wooden utility pole, rather than from an attached wire:

Seattle, WA: SW Admiral Way @ 47th Ave SW (https://goo.gl/maps/6xjcJJkiz4Frv3x28).

Whether it's truly a utility pole or not, I'm not sure. There's a lot of stuff going on, with at least one wire going directly to a nearby power pole.

Another similar one here, also attached directly to the pole:

Auburn, WA: Oravetz Rd @ Kersey Way (https://goo.gl/maps/5N9uNKSDJw5WoNRX6)
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: stevashe on March 05, 2020, 02:59:12 PM
Plenty of span wire installations mounted to wood/utility poles by King County for their older installs as well, like this one at Avondale Rd and Woodinville-Duvall Rd:

https://www.google.com/maps/@47.7550042,-122.0806063,3a,80.4y,310.92h,78.85t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sCeXR7nn8OfQqKsoTyHV6Tw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: bcroadguy on March 20, 2020, 05:17:40 AM
I've always thought that this intersection in Blaine, WA (WSDOT maintained I believe?) is unusual given that the intersection right next to it uses metal mast arms and that metal poles are used for streetlights on both intersecting roads.
https://www.google.com/maps/@48.9905542,-122.734993,3a,39.6y,79.01h,84.5t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJhUSHbxur1Lf1AZ2_xdgPw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: jakeroot on March 20, 2020, 09:38:00 PM
Quote from: bcroadguy on March 20, 2020, 05:17:40 AM
I've always thought that this intersection in Blaine, WA (WSDOT maintained I believe?) is unusual given that the intersection right next to it uses metal mast arms and that metal poles are used for streetlights on both intersecting roads.
https://www.google.com/maps/@48.9905542,-122.734993,3a,39.6y,79.01h,84.5t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJhUSHbxur1Lf1AZ2_xdgPw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Looks to be WSDOT, yeah. I've never quite understood what the reasoning was for using wooden poles vs metal poles, or wire-span vs mast-arms. WSDOT doesn't install intersections like this today (the intersection just to the north is the standard WSDOT look now), but they were very common for decades.
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: plain on October 17, 2021, 12:55:53 PM
Bumping this because I just got reminded of this.

An example in Bristol, TN

https://maps.app.goo.gl/p6Y52FwxFmzWMU2Y8
Title: Re: Traffic Signals Mounted on Wooden Utility Poles
Post by: US20IL64 on October 18, 2021, 02:18:42 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on September 08, 2019, 09:33:44 AM
Quote from: Ian on August 26, 2019, 08:12:48 AM
It's fairly common to come across span-wire signals hung off wooden utility poles (https://goo.gl/maps/TT9VYwRU37qsHkv17) around Maine.
To me the whole thing looks cheap.  I prefer span wires to be hung on metal poles or concrete ones as both Florida and Puerto Rico uses.

Agree, since in IL and other states, wood post signals mean "under construction".  :crazy: