I was thinking about the demise of the famous New Jersey Turnpike "art-deco" gantries southbound at Exit 6 and eastbound on the nearby Turnpike Extension and I found myself wondering how many older-style gantries are still out there. By that I don't mean situations where a state has made relatively minor changes in style of utilitarian gantry, such as going from the triangular truss arrangement to a box-style truss. I'm thinking more of older styles that you flat-out don't see in any form anymore except where they're left over.
What prompted me to think of this was the "Unauthorized routes" thread. I was thinking about the eastern half of the Capital Beltway being dual-signed as I-95 and I-495. That prompted me to look at that road's Wikipedia article, which had a reference to partial interchanges in Virginia and drivers on Route 123 being "expected" to know to stay on 123 to reach the southbound Beltway. That, in turn, reminded me of a very old gantry located on southbound 123 just before the Dulles exit, and it's that gantry that prompted me to start this thread.
Here is the gantry I'm thinking of: https://goo.gl/maps/uVrVNckYJMhpxBjZA
(As an example of what I don't mean, I don't mean a shift from this sort of thing (https://goo.gl/maps/ohrsiRqLMzADD7YY8) to this sort of thing seen a very short distance away (https://goo.gl/maps/bNgMnHHhaBfgqCMk8).)
Speaking of I-95/I-495, here's one that comes to mind that (I think) is the last of its kind left in Maryland: The exit 27 ramp divide between I-95 north and the Weigh Station/Park & Ride (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.0182173,-76.955283,3a,44.1y,139.13h,88.92t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sEZkRxoyKBI20Xp5k9z4r1g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?hl=en).
There used to be more on I-95 north at the southern I-695 interchange (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.2465483,-76.6857914,3a,43.1y,56.21h,90.9t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7pMSHeUZhIsD1lDW2vjFdw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1?hl=en), but these were replaced in 2019 with some sharp-looking (IMHO), non-clearview signs on box truss (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.2465153,-76.6857707,3a,75y,64.8h,87.11t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sl5SvvGVWVSv-DeBKIXbgUA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?hl=en).
Quote from: jmacswimmer on January 27, 2021, 08:46:55 AM
Speaking of I-95/I-495, here's one that comes to mind that (I think) is the last of its kind left in Maryland: The exit 27 ramp divide between I-95 north and the Weigh Station/Park & Ride (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.0182173,-76.955283,3a,44.1y,139.13h,88.92t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sEZkRxoyKBI20Xp5k9z4r1g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?hl=en).
There used to be more on I-95 north at the southern I-695 interchange (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.2465483,-76.6857914,3a,43.1y,56.21h,90.9t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7pMSHeUZhIsD1lDW2vjFdw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1?hl=en), but these were replaced in 2019 with some sharp-looking (IMHO), non-clearview signs on box truss (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.2465153,-76.6857707,3a,75y,64.8h,87.11t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sl5SvvGVWVSv-DeBKIXbgUA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?hl=en).
One more of them remains at the I-95/495 interchange as of 4 days ago:
https://goo.gl/maps/7Ni3YeRSPMQfyqJBA and
Quote from: Mapmikey on January 27, 2021, 09:28:50 AM
Quote from: jmacswimmer on January 27, 2021, 08:46:55 AM
Speaking of I-95/I-495, here's one that comes to mind that (I think) is the last of its kind left in Maryland: The exit 27 ramp divide between I-95 north and the Weigh Station/Park & Ride (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.0182173,-76.955283,3a,44.1y,139.13h,88.92t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sEZkRxoyKBI20Xp5k9z4r1g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?hl=en).
There used to be more on I-95 north at the southern I-695 interchange (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.2465483,-76.6857914,3a,43.1y,56.21h,90.9t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7pMSHeUZhIsD1lDW2vjFdw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1?hl=en), but these were replaced in 2019 with some sharp-looking (IMHO), non-clearview signs on box truss (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.2465153,-76.6857707,3a,75y,64.8h,87.11t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sl5SvvGVWVSv-DeBKIXbgUA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?hl=en).
One more of them remains at the I-95/495 interchange as of 4 days ago:
https://goo.gl/maps/7Ni3YeRSPMQfyqJBA and
D'oh! I've been thru that interchange so many times, I don't know how I forgot about the southbound one when typing my above post. :pan:
But yes, make that 2 of those gantries still kicking! That gantry must have been SHA's preferred style during the time period the "between the beltways" segment was constructed.
In Minnesota there used to be quite a few curved monotube-ish gantries, especially on lower-speed urban roads/junctions throughout the state. I'm not sure how old they are, but very few remain. Here's one that was removed a few years back in Red Wing (https://goo.gl/maps/rQQqkP7J74xvhGDp7). This is notable because (with the exception of the Saint Anthony Falls I-35W Bridge in Minneapolis) Minnesota doesn't use curved monotube gantries. More conventional monotube gantries (like this (https://goo.gl/maps/p8h5LxJbH8WZGava6)) are still used sparingly in new installations, but most of Minnesota's newer gantries have a triangular truss design like this (https://goo.gl/maps/Jz2cvxYFbUH4SC2s7).
Quote from: EpicRoadways on January 27, 2021, 09:55:47 AM
In Minnesota there used to be quite a few curved monotube-ish gantries, especially on lower-speed urban roads/junctions throughout the state. I'm not sure how old they are, but very few remain. Here's one that was removed a few years back in Red Wing (https://goo.gl/maps/rQQqkP7J74xvhGDp7). This is notable because (with the exception of the Saint Anthony Falls I-35W Bridge in Minneapolis) Minnesota doesn't use curved monotube gantries. More conventional monotube gantries (like this (https://goo.gl/maps/p8h5LxJbH8WZGava6)) are still used sparingly in new installations, but most of Minnesota's newer gantries have a triangular truss design like this (https://goo.gl/maps/Jz2cvxYFbUH4SC2s7).
Weird, it's exactly backwards in Oklahoma - trusses are out and monotubes are now the preferred choice. The monotubes are a much cleaner design, IMHO.
Quote from: 1995hoo on January 27, 2021, 08:27:26 AM
Here is the gantry I'm thinking of: https://goo.gl/maps/uVrVNckYJMhpxBjZA
That style of enclosed gantry with the corrugated metal facia is still quite common in California–along with that state's wealth of non-reflective button copy signage. Here's one near my former home in Marin County: https://goo.gl/maps/bAUnkesj9rbJ9MUj7
Pennsylvania has a few these older sign support structures around, with at least a couple of them being on US 220 between I-180 and I-80: https://goo.gl/maps/f98UzA1NcbzRMrCj9
They're a bit unusual in that the horizontal truss structure of the sign "bridge" (excuse my lack of proper terminology knowledge) extends beyond the vertical supports and connects diagonally with the footings at the base, giving the overall assembly an odd, top-heavy appearance.
Quote from: EpicRoadways on January 27, 2021, 09:55:47 AM
In Minnesota there used to be quite a few curved monotube-ish gantries, especially on lower-speed urban roads/junctions throughout the state. I'm not sure how old they are, but very few remain. Here's one that was removed a few years back in Red Wing (https://goo.gl/maps/rQQqkP7J74xvhGDp7). This is notable because (with the exception of the Saint Anthony Falls I-35W Bridge in Minneapolis) Minnesota doesn't use curved monotube gantries. More conventional monotube gantries (like this (https://goo.gl/maps/p8h5LxJbH8WZGava6)) are still used sparingly in new installations, but most of Minnesota's newer gantries have a triangular truss design like this (https://goo.gl/maps/Jz2cvxYFbUH4SC2s7).
It's not monotube, but one assembly I found to be an oddball was this one at US 169 and MN 7 in St. Louis Park. (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.9308515,-93.3976331,3a,37.5y,30.9h,93.76t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sol_jlHH9zhkiAXEsJTjfWQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)
Most of the old brown structures with wire mesh backgrounds were removed from the interstates in Charleston, WV, several years ago when signs were replaced. But a few of the old gantries are still there.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on January 27, 2021, 01:02:42 PM
Quote from: EpicRoadways on January 27, 2021, 09:55:47 AM
In Minnesota there used to be quite a few curved monotube-ish gantries, especially on lower-speed urban roads/junctions throughout the state. I'm not sure how old they are, but very few remain. Here's one that was removed a few years back in Red Wing (https://goo.gl/maps/rQQqkP7J74xvhGDp7). This is notable because (with the exception of the Saint Anthony Falls I-35W Bridge in Minneapolis) Minnesota doesn't use curved monotube gantries. More conventional monotube gantries (like this (https://goo.gl/maps/p8h5LxJbH8WZGava6)) are still used sparingly in new installations, but most of Minnesota's newer gantries have a triangular truss design like this (https://goo.gl/maps/Jz2cvxYFbUH4SC2s7).
It's not monotube, but one assembly I found to be an oddball was this one at US 169 and MN 7 in St. Louis Park. (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.9308515,-93.3976331,3a,37.5y,30.9h,93.76t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sol_jlHH9zhkiAXEsJTjfWQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)
There's a few of those scattered around the metro. MN-100 has several in the vicinity of Duluth Street and 36th Avenue and MN-610 has some around US-10 as well. Maybe they were some sort of test installation like 20 years ago that didn't perform well enough to see widespread use?
Quote from: I-35 on January 27, 2021, 11:23:13 AM
Quote from: EpicRoadways on January 27, 2021, 09:55:47 AM
In Minnesota there used to be quite a few curved monotube-ish gantries, especially on lower-speed urban roads/junctions throughout the state. I'm not sure how old they are, but very few remain. Here's one that was removed a few years back in Red Wing (https://goo.gl/maps/rQQqkP7J74xvhGDp7). This is notable because (with the exception of the Saint Anthony Falls I-35W Bridge in Minneapolis) Minnesota doesn't use curved monotube gantries. More conventional monotube gantries (like this (https://goo.gl/maps/p8h5LxJbH8WZGava6)) are still used sparingly in new installations, but most of Minnesota's newer gantries have a triangular truss design like this (https://goo.gl/maps/Jz2cvxYFbUH4SC2s7).
Weird, it's exactly backwards in Oklahoma - trusses are out and monotubes are now the preferred choice. The monotubes are a much cleaner design, IMHO.
Only in certain counties, though–urban counties get monotubes but rural still gets trusses, apparently. The only reason I suspect such a policy is that there was a project that spanned between Cleveland and McClain counties and replaced a bunch of signs. On the Cleveland side of the line, all monotubes. The signs on the McClain side got trusses.
This also only applies to free roads. The new turnpikes in the OKC area all use trusses.
I personally prefer the trusses because the monotubes look
too clean. I know, intellectually, that the monotubes are designed to hold the weight of a sign. But visually, from a design standpoint, a single pole 'feels' too flimsy, like the sign is going to tip over backward off the back of the gantry or slip off of it.
Quote from: briantroutman on January 27, 2021, 12:27:49 PM
Pennsylvania has a few these older sign support structures around, with at least a couple of them being on US 220 between I-180 and I-80: https://goo.gl/maps/f98UzA1NcbzRMrCj9
They're a bit unusual in that the horizontal truss structure of the sign "bridge" (excuse my lack of proper terminology knowledge) extends beyond the vertical supports and connects diagonally with the footings at the base, giving the overall assembly an odd, top-heavy appearance.
Louisiana also has a bunch of these old gantries still around as well, I believe.
There are still a number of the old brown painted sign bridges with the screen backgrounds in Philadelphia.
(https://www.aaroads.com/pa/095/i-095-s-exit-019-3.jpg)
(https://www.aaroads.com/pa/095/i-095-s-exit-020-6.jpg)
(https://www.aaroads.com/pa/676/i-676-e-exit-001-12.jpg)
This style was commonly used along I-95 in Baltimore at one point as well. Some are still in use along I-83 (Jones Falls Expwy):
(https://www.aaroads.com/md/083/i-083_nb_exit_006_09.jpg)
This gantry type (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.0989057,-84.5077907,3a,75y,88.97h,99.77t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJb9eQxseavaMDkRH-0xuoQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192) looks similar to some of the examples posted already in this thread. It's only used in Downtown Cincinnati today, specifically the FWW, not sure if ODOT used it outside of the area though. Otherwise, ODOT is pretty consistent with the box truss gantries they use.
Quote from: Alex on January 27, 2021, 11:20:31 PM
There are still a number of the old brown painted sign bridges with the screen backgrounds in Philadelphia.
(https://www.aaroads.com/pa/095/i-095-s-exit-019-3.jpg)
(https://www.aaroads.com/pa/095/i-095-s-exit-020-6.jpg)
(https://www.aaroads.com/pa/676/i-676-e-exit-001-12.jpg)
I believe these are the style Philly/PennDOT chose when 676 was built in the 1990s, so they're not all that old. I'm quite certain they are not original to 95 when that highway opened.
Where US 130 & NJ 168 intersect near Camden:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/VgNtAi1Lcg4xTJbt9
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mHwt1j96C7G48pj49
Quote from: 1995hoo on January 27, 2021, 08:27:26 AM
I was thinking about the demise of the famous New Jersey Turnpike "art-deco" gantries southbound at Exit 6 and eastbound on the nearby Turnpike Extension and I found myself wondering how many older-style gantries are still out there.
BTW, the style does still exist for the NJ Turnpike at NJ 139.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/59ARTxuJwHifJri57
Quote from: jeffandnicole on January 28, 2021, 12:09:31 AM
Quote from: 1995hoo on January 27, 2021, 08:27:26 AM
I was thinking about the demise of the famous New Jersey Turnpike "art-deco" gantries southbound at Exit 6 and eastbound on the nearby Turnpike Extension and I found myself wondering how many older-style gantries are still out there.
BTW, the style does still exist for the NJ Turnpike at NJ 139.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/59ARTxuJwHifJri57
Heh, that's the one part of the Turnpike I've never been on (the only time I used that extension, I exited at 14A and took the Bayonne Bridge). If the pandemic hadn't arisen, I'd almost certainly have used it by now, but because of the pandemic I haven't been to New York since last January.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on January 28, 2021, 12:09:31 AM
Quote from: 1995hoo on January 27, 2021, 08:27:26 AM
I was thinking about the demise of the famous New Jersey Turnpike "art-deco" gantries southbound at Exit 6 and eastbound on the nearby Turnpike Extension and I found myself wondering how many older-style gantries are still out there.
BTW, the style does still exist for the NJ Turnpike at NJ 139.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/59ARTxuJwHifJri57
You know what would be a cool idea? When the New Jersey Turnpike goes AET, they should build replicas of these for the toll gantries.
Quote from: Alex on January 27, 2021, 11:20:31 PM
There are still a number of the old brown painted sign bridges with the screen backgrounds in Philadelphia.
(https://www.aaroads.com/pa/095/i-095-s-exit-019-3.jpg)
(https://www.aaroads.com/pa/095/i-095-s-exit-020-6.jpg)
(https://www.aaroads.com/pa/676/i-676-e-exit-001-12.jpg)
This style was commonly used along I-95 in Baltimore at one point as well. Some are still in use along I-83 (Jones Falls Expwy):
(https://www.aaroads.com/md/083/i-083_nb_exit_006_09.jpg)
I also remember seeing this exact same style in Charleston, WV (along I-77, IIRC, and it had the backing grates like the ones in Philly).
More often than not, you'll see this variant in Chicago (which either inspired, or was inspired by, the ones above it; you tell me which):
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qv4PD4xFLfo/XLqXeKbyTHI/AAAAAAAAcS0/Ix8PIeJpAmszv5d6Qi0rKdXfZ7DqOxwSwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2574.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f87sRWiU6Gs/XLqW66-IAdI/AAAAAAAAcSM/luZrTulfc5UQjlWxDajYNod4m0iAVNnPACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2470.JPG)
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-twVC1BZlwZw/XLqWXxpuvHI/AAAAAAAAcR4/Q0Hw894FcOcNxsEnzNrk0GF43JihcRZbwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2466.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6gCoDDqX4Sw/XLqW77Y31hI/AAAAAAAAcSY/P8zTp-3LdkU3nd8q-dil4rbndL3lHrrZQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2475.JPG)
However, they're not exclusive to the Windy City, as they can also be seen elsewhere in IL, such as this one at the south end of I-39 near Bloomington:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.crosscountryroads.com%2Fimages%2Fillinois%2Fi39nb%2F001-begin.JPEG.jpg&hash=d48e0212a4e12ec8135a9512f714b848b36a3f19)
Quote from: Scott5114 on January 27, 2021, 03:05:08 PM
Quote from: I-35 on January 27, 2021, 11:23:13 AM
Quote from: EpicRoadways on January 27, 2021, 09:55:47 AM
In Minnesota there used to be quite a few curved monotube-ish gantries, especially on lower-speed urban roads/junctions throughout the state. I'm not sure how old they are, but very few remain. Here's one that was removed a few years back in Red Wing (https://goo.gl/maps/rQQqkP7J74xvhGDp7). This is notable because (with the exception of the Saint Anthony Falls I-35W Bridge in Minneapolis) Minnesota doesn't use curved monotube gantries. More conventional monotube gantries (like this (https://goo.gl/maps/p8h5LxJbH8WZGava6)) are still used sparingly in new installations, but most of Minnesota's newer gantries have a triangular truss design like this (https://goo.gl/maps/Jz2cvxYFbUH4SC2s7).
Weird, it's exactly backwards in Oklahoma - trusses are out and monotubes are now the preferred choice. The monotubes are a much cleaner design, IMHO.
Only in certain counties, though–urban counties get monotubes but rural still gets trusses, apparently. The only reason I suspect such a policy is that there was a project that spanned between Cleveland and McClain counties and replaced a bunch of signs. On the Cleveland side of the line, all monotubes. The signs on the McClain side got trusses.
This also only applies to free roads. The new turnpikes in the OKC area all use trusses.
I personally prefer the trusses because the monotubes look too clean. I know, intellectually, that the monotubes are designed to hold the weight of a sign. But visually, from a design standpoint, a single pole 'feels' too flimsy, like the sign is going to tip over backward off the back of the gantry or slip off of it.
The contractor is absolutely dragging their feet on this resigning project in southern Oklahoma, but the overhead gantries near Ardmore are going to monotubes.
https://www.odot.org/contracts/a2019/plans1910/210_1910_HSIPG-243F(033)TR_3414404/T134-3414404-SIGN%20STR%203.pdf (https://www.odot.org/contracts/a2019/plans1910/210_1910_HSIPG-243F(033)TR_3414404/T134-3414404-SIGN%20STR%203.pdf)
Quote from: Henry on January 28, 2021, 10:40:48 AM
Quote from: Alex on January 27, 2021, 11:20:31 PM
There are still a number of the old brown painted sign bridges with the screen backgrounds in Philadelphia.
(https://www.aaroads.com/pa/095/i-095-s-exit-019-3.jpg)
(https://www.aaroads.com/pa/095/i-095-s-exit-020-6.jpg)
(https://www.aaroads.com/pa/676/i-676-e-exit-001-12.jpg)
This style was commonly used along I-95 in Baltimore at one point as well. Some are still in use along I-83 (Jones Falls Expwy):
(https://www.aaroads.com/md/083/i-083_nb_exit_006_09.jpg)
I also remember seeing this exact same style in Charleston, WV (along I-77, IIRC, and it had the backing grates like the ones in Philly).
Yep. A few of them are still in use, without the background mesh.
Quote from: hbelkins on January 27, 2021, 01:12:05 PM
Most of the old brown structures with wire mesh backgrounds were removed from the interstates in Charleston, WV, several years ago when signs were replaced. But a few of the old gantries are still there.
Quote from: 1995hoo on January 27, 2021, 08:27:26 AM
That, in turn, reminded me of a very old gantry located on southbound 123 just before the Dulles exit, and it's that gantry that prompted me to start this thread.
Here is the gantry I'm thinking of: https://goo.gl/maps/uVrVNckYJMhpxBjZA
For a brief time these gantries were also used by California. There are still some being used, including on the 57 Freeway in Orange County.
(https://i.imgur.com/0QAlbjv.jpg)
Quote from: 1995hoo on January 27, 2021, 08:27:26 AM
Are you asking about old gantries that are still around despite having newer/replacement signs on them or just ones in general regardless of whether the signs on them are as old as the gantry?
Many of the posted examples by others are including those that still have their original signs on them (example: the ones along I-95 in Philadelphia between I-76 & I-676).
Quote from: PHLBOS on January 29, 2021, 12:21:10 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on January 27, 2021, 08:27:26 AM
Are you asking about old gantries that are still around despite having newer/replacement signs on them or just ones in general regardless of whether the signs on them are as old as the gantry?
Many of the posted examples by others are including those that still have their original signs on them (example: the ones along I-95 in Philadelphia between I-76 & I-676).
I suppose it could be either–doesn't matter whether the signs are new. Certainly I think most of us on this forum like to celebrate old signs that last a really long time, and if they're coupled with a really old gantry, so much the better, right? The one on I-66 in DC that recently had some 50-year-old signs replaced (on the existing structure) seems like the type of thing that would be of an ideal sort for this thread regardless of whether the reference were pre- or post-replacement.
Quote from: Mapmikey on January 27, 2021, 09:28:50 AM
Quote from: jmacswimmer on January 27, 2021, 08:46:55 AM
Speaking of I-95/I-495, here's one that comes to mind that (I think) is the last of its kind left in Maryland: The exit 27 ramp divide between I-95 north and the Weigh Station/Park & Ride (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.0182173,-76.955283,3a,44.1y,139.13h,88.92t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sEZkRxoyKBI20Xp5k9z4r1g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?hl=en).
There used to be more on I-95 north at the southern I-695 interchange (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.2465483,-76.6857914,3a,43.1y,56.21h,90.9t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7pMSHeUZhIsD1lDW2vjFdw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1?hl=en), but these were replaced in 2019 with some sharp-looking (IMHO), non-clearview signs on box truss (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.2465153,-76.6857707,3a,75y,64.8h,87.11t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sl5SvvGVWVSv-DeBKIXbgUA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?hl=en).
One more of them remains at the I-95/495 interchange as of 4 days ago:
https://goo.gl/maps/7Ni3YeRSPMQfyqJBA and
There is also a single-sign, cantilever version (https://goo.gl/maps/4cSEvcq5GceTEVLB9) on each end of the MD-212 overpass, pointing to the loop ramps.
Quote from: stridentweasel on January 28, 2021, 09:11:02 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on January 28, 2021, 12:09:31 AM
Quote from: 1995hoo on January 27, 2021, 08:27:26 AM
I was thinking about the demise of the famous New Jersey Turnpike "art-deco" gantries southbound at Exit 6 and eastbound on the nearby Turnpike Extension and I found myself wondering how many older-style gantries are still out there.
BTW, the style does still exist for the NJ Turnpike at NJ 139.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/59ARTxuJwHifJri57
You know what would be a cool idea? When the New Jersey Turnpike goes AET, they should build replicas of these for the toll gantries.
I would absolutely go along with this!! Wow
Some old ones remain on I-95 through Milford, CT
https://goo.gl/maps/Csttz3XC4H5n6kgW6
https://goo.gl/maps/WeTcsq3Rx5Rru3tu6
https://goo.gl/maps/JnofaE8wjLHUf1bJ7
https://goo.gl/maps/K4ecrV8Df8Kmvpt38
There's a couple on the Northern Expy on I-93 in Somerville/Boston:
SB: 1 (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3837293,-71.0767613,3a,19.4y,180.09h,90.1t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s6m6tanMO_cqF4C4GYqVQgg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192), 2 (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3932521,-71.0854981,3a,24.2y,140.14h,94.29t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s0pu_2rZ2R1UXz2l5u_IB1Q!2e0!7i16384!8i8192), 3 (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3907628,-71.0831552,3a,21.7y,161.84h,88.35t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sn9vYGsziEfYoikY4B04N7w!2e0!7i16384!8i8192), 4 (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3883706,-71.0802257,3a,24y,139.86h,90.69t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1saAWGKSEV1cAycL5pX85sVg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)
NB: 1 (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3746896,-71.0719936,3a,25.2y,309.31h,90.35t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sSYiqrVM4Cps2uQh73iIe_A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192), 2 (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3838878,-71.0764329,3a,24.2y,346.37h,92.49t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s3aybBjD65SUGUXQm9GQvgw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192), 3 (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3909658,-71.0830068,3a,75y,349.7h,81.42t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sHad4wnnTPoY0WkbYCLhEWQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192), 4 (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3929526,-71.0844289,3a,64.6y,356.7h,91.07t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1ssQ884F0pawLNhUO9mj8o5g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)
And a few on Route 99 as well:
1 (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3785233,-71.0700945,3a,25.3y,325.28h,91.7t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suXNxPr_nJp3Fy7Z7OSreYA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656), 2 (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3764977,-71.0691781,3a,80.7y,173.91h,90.58t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sEBCXTTq0IsyDlc5Uy9QYcg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)
Quote from: plain on January 29, 2021, 04:21:09 PM
Quote from: stridentweasel on January 28, 2021, 09:11:02 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on January 28, 2021, 12:09:31 AM
Quote from: 1995hoo on January 27, 2021, 08:27:26 AM
I was thinking about the demise of the famous New Jersey Turnpike "art-deco" gantries southbound at Exit 6 and eastbound on the nearby Turnpike Extension and I found myself wondering how many older-style gantries are still out there.
BTW, the style does still exist for the NJ Turnpike at NJ 139.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/59ARTxuJwHifJri57
You know what would be a cool idea? When the New Jersey Turnpike goes AET, they should build replicas of these for the toll gantries.
I would absolutely go along with this!! Wow
I second that. Great idea.
Quote from: Henry on January 28, 2021, 10:40:48 AM
However, they're not exclusive to the Windy City, as they can also be seen elsewhere in IL, such as this one at the south end of I-39 near Bloomington:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.crosscountryroads.com%2Fimages%2Fillinois%2Fi39nb%2F001-begin.JPEG.jpg&hash=d48e0212a4e12ec8135a9512f714b848b36a3f19)
Were the vierendeel designs really one the first type of gantries used or was it more of a fad?
The I-255/IL 255 corridor in Illinois, included the somewhat recently completed section near Godfrey (https://goo.gl/maps/iwpyRawqDsMTZoJv8), only uses vierendel gantries.
Quote from: Revive 755 on January 30, 2021, 01:35:52 PM
Were the vierendeel designs really one the first type of gantries used or was it more of a fad?
The I-255/IL 255 corridor in Illinois, included the somewhat recently completed section near Godfrey (https://goo.gl/maps/iwpyRawqDsMTZoJv8), only uses vierendel gantries.
I was split on whether to post the "brown gantries with only vertical bars," as I know them. While they haven't been used on new gantries in the Chicago area in the last 15 years AFAIK, I wasn't sure if that was enough evidence to declare them antiquated. I just clinched IL-255 during my last Illinois daytrip a week ago, oddly enough, and I can confirm what you're saying:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50869230071_c7e1c4031b_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kv96QT)
IL-255X13S (https://flic.kr/p/2kv96QT) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr
I also clinched I-290 and the IL-53 freeway extension to test out my new dashcam, and that section of freeway has lots of these gantries:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50864874551_7970046c36_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kuKM6H)
IL-053X7N (https://flic.kr/p/2kuKM6H) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr
In fact, one of the ways you can tell the old section of IL-390 from the new one, is that the old section has the brown gantries mentioned in this thread, whereas the new section uses gray commonplace gantries used nowadays.
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 30, 2021, 02:07:00 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on January 30, 2021, 01:35:52 PM
Were the vierendeel designs really one the first type of gantries used or was it more of a fad?
The I-255/IL 255 corridor in Illinois, included the somewhat recently completed section near Godfrey (https://goo.gl/maps/iwpyRawqDsMTZoJv8), only uses vierendel gantries.
I was split on whether to post the "brown gantries with only vertical bars," as I know them. While they haven't been used on new gantries in the Chicago area in the last 15 years AFAIK, I wasn't sure if that was enough evidence to declare them antiquated. I just clinched IL-255 during my last Illinois daytrip a week ago, oddly enough, and I can confirm what you're saying:
IDOT started using them in the 1980s and stopped sometime just before 2000. Oddly enough, they coincide with IDOT's button copy period. Of the districts to employ them, District 1 was a big user, and even sized the signs to be all the same height a la CalTrans on these gantries. District 8 used them on I-255, and there's a few around Bloomington-Normal. The other districts and ISTHA did not use them as far as I can tell.
I wouldn't include them here as "old-style gantries" as they only date to the early 80s at the earliest.
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 30, 2021, 02:07:00 PM
I was split on whether to post the "brown gantries with only vertical bars," as I know them. While they haven't been used on new gantries in the Chicago area in the last 15 years AFAIK, I wasn't sure if that was enough evidence to declare them antiquated.
Why did this type of gantry fall out of favor everywhere? I always found them very attractive. Not to mention that they added a distinctive look to the highways of the urban areas that used them.
Vancouver, the land of things that don't follow WSDOT standards, has quite a few of these square-tube arched monotubes (https://www.google.com/maps/@45.626099,-122.6680531,3a,60.4y,17.7h,87.16t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sGppoZsU5OdkQnJtgUh5DkQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en), which seem to have evolved into WSDOT's standard square monotubes (though Vancouver also used round-tube arched ones for a brief time). Speaking of the Vancouver area not following standards, WSDOT also installed a brand-new old-style truss gantry (https://www.google.com/maps/@45.720917,-122.6513334,3a,74.4y,354.98h,96.86t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sWkYdkeBJadjJiwDOPdJxMw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en) on a project there a few years back, despite the same project installing a bunch of standard monotubes.
A similar design to the Vancouver arched monotube gantries was also used in a couple locations in Wenatchee (https://www.google.com/maps/@47.4684753,-120.3407832,3a,64y,136.51h,104.04t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgzC3pqrLq6UQ6sd8R3aCpw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en), strangely enough.
And while the space-age gantries on SR 99 are sadly gone now (about the only thing I miss about the Alaskan Way Viaduct), this very old gantry (https://www.google.com/maps/@47.6266197,-122.3437394,3a,75y,178.48h,94.41t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sBNKbBPBzww3-y9S0l5BcLw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en) still remains on Aurora approaching the north end of the tunnel, though stripped of all of its signs.
Quote from: Scott5114 on January 27, 2021, 03:05:08 PM
I personally prefer the trusses because the monotubes look too clean. I know, intellectually, that the monotubes are designed to hold the weight of a sign. But visually, from a design standpoint, a single pole 'feels' too flimsy, like the sign is going to tip over backward off the back of the gantry or slip off of it.
Yeah, I agree. Trusses are much more classy, and I've been disappointed to see some monotubes appearing in the Buffalo area in the past few years.
Quote from: jay8g on January 31, 2021, 02:36:32 AM
Vancouver, the land of things that don't follow WSDOT standards, has quite a few of these square-tube arched monotubes (https://www.google.com/maps/@45.626099,-122.6680531,3a,60.4y,17.7h,87.16t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sGppoZsU5OdkQnJtgUh5DkQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en), which seem to have evolved into WSDOT's standard square monotubes (though Vancouver also used round-tube arched ones for a brief time). Speaking of the Vancouver area not following standards, WSDOT also installed a brand-new old-style truss gantry (https://www.google.com/maps/@45.720917,-122.6513334,3a,74.4y,354.98h,96.86t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sWkYdkeBJadjJiwDOPdJxMw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en) on a project there a few years back, despite the same project installing a bunch of standard monotubes.
A similar design to the Vancouver arched monotube gantries was also used in a couple locations in Wenatchee (https://www.google.com/maps/@47.4684753,-120.3407832,3a,64y,136.51h,104.04t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgzC3pqrLq6UQ6sd8R3aCpw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en), strangely enough.
And while the space-age gantries on SR 99 are sadly gone now (about the only thing I miss about the Alaskan Way Viaduct), this very old gantry (https://www.google.com/maps/@47.6266197,-122.3437394,3a,75y,178.48h,94.41t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sBNKbBPBzww3-y9S0l5BcLw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en) still remains on Aurora approaching the north end of the tunnel, though stripped of all of its signs.
I thought WSDOT was finally coming to its senses and resuming the use of truss gantries, at least here (https://goo.gl/maps/n7DMF4NGHf879WbJA) for photo toll equipment. Alas, it was short lived and they moved the equipment further west and on monotubes.
https://goo.gl/maps/D4u2ErPrHJbvvLhG9
This one on Boyle Plaza in Jersey City, NJ still exists.
Quote from: jmacswimmer on January 27, 2021, 09:38:56 AM
Quote from: Mapmikey on January 27, 2021, 09:28:50 AM
Quote from: jmacswimmer on January 27, 2021, 08:46:55 AM
Speaking of I-95/I-495, here's one that comes to mind that (I think) is the last of its kind left in Maryland: The exit 27 ramp divide between I-95 north and the Weigh Station/Park & Ride (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.0182173,-76.955283,3a,44.1y,139.13h,88.92t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sEZkRxoyKBI20Xp5k9z4r1g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?hl=en).
There used to be more on I-95 north at the southern I-695 interchange (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.2465483,-76.6857914,3a,43.1y,56.21h,90.9t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7pMSHeUZhIsD1lDW2vjFdw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1?hl=en), but these were replaced in 2019 with some sharp-looking (IMHO), non-clearview signs on box truss (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.2465153,-76.6857707,3a,75y,64.8h,87.11t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sl5SvvGVWVSv-DeBKIXbgUA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?hl=en).
One more of them remains at the I-95/495 interchange as of 4 days ago:
https://goo.gl/maps/7Ni3YeRSPMQfyqJBA and
D'oh! I've been thru that interchange so many times, I don't know how I forgot about the southbound one when typing my above post. :pan:
But yes, make that 2 of those gantries still kicking! That gantry must have been SHA's preferred style during the time period the "between the beltways" segment was constructed.
Was there ever a sign on the right most part of the gantry?
The new Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway in the Phoenix area uses a unique style of truss gantry for most signs (except DMS which use monotubes). My guess this was the design-builder's choice, since all new ADOT projects since then continue to use monotubes.
What's the financial side of all of this like? I'm assuming Monotubes are more expensive than most truss designs? I know that a lot of it depends on project/sign specifics like length, height, aesthetic factors, etc. but I'm just wondering in general.
Quote from: EpicRoadways on February 02, 2021, 06:38:22 PM
What's the financial side of all of this like? I'm assuming Monotubes are more expensive than most truss designs? I know that a lot of it depends on project/sign specifics like length, height, aesthetic factors, etc. but I'm just wondering in general.
Ohio only installed a couple of monotubes on I-75 in the Toledo area, but otherwise, even with newer setups, are all truss designs. Those monotubes are also home to the only APL signs in the state.
ODOT District 2 in general does some things differently from the rest of the state; it's also the only place where there isn't a .0 for whole miles on the blue enhanced mile markers.