No idea if there's already a thread for this but if there isn't, might as well start one here.
This is a thread about unsigned or mostly unsigned highways, but signage can be found directly tied to the unsigned route. Whether that would be on mile markers, street blades or even rare signage of the route itself.
One example that I have is Tennessee state highway 6, which is almost completely unsigned but signage can still be found on mileposts along US 31E in East Nashville.
(https://i.imgur.com/Hj0xeY4.jpeg)
All unsigned in California aside from Postmile references:
CA 222:
https://www.gribblenation.org/2020/07/california-state-route-222-unsigned.html?m=1
CA 283:
https://www.gribblenation.org/2020/07/california-state-route-283-former-us.html?m=1
CA 275:
https://www.gribblenation.org/2018/12/highways-in-and-around-old-sacramento.html?m=1
CA 114:
https://www.gribblenation.org/2018/06/california-state-route-114.html?m=1
CA 109:
https://www.gribblenation.org/2018/06/california-state-route-109.html?m=1
In general it is close to impossible to totally obscure a state route given Postmiles are used. I'm not sure what the point of not signing State Highways would be outside of CA 275 which just consists of the Tower Bridge. I-10S on the San Bernardino Freeway between US 101 and I-5 might also fit as a hidden route that is referenced with only Postmiles.
Strangely CA 77 has no guide signage from I-880 but has a crap ton of reassurance shields on it's half mile constructed routing. Some routes are almost totally hidden aside from guide sign shields such as CA 185, CA 213 and CA 238.
CA 211 and CA 259 were also on this list until recent reassurance shield installations. CA 51 is kind of hidden given it is signed as I-80BL. I-305 isn't recognized by the state of California but exists as an FHWA designation on US 50 from I-80 east to CA 99/CA 51. For some reason CA 260 is signed as CA 61 despite it being a totally separate state highway. CA 153 has only a single shield and in theory could become unsigned at any time.
Some unconstructed State Highways like CA 93 have references. In the case of CA 93 it is referenced as Contra Costa County 93 on Callboxes along Richmond Parkway.
All mileposts on US routes in Tennessee show the secret state highway number.
New York has been known to post reference routes as if they were actual shields. While this one is on a milepost and not a standalone shield, it's also, well, see for yourself: (photo by formulanone)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/400/31562949101_34c2701418_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Q67n8B)
I think the only time VA 420 has ever been posted was on some temporary construction signs a few years ago.
I-480N Cleveland (https://goo.gl/maps/XpEwr3R2SwQyDR9q6)
Check out this list of Illinois's "secret state highways", listed on Bill Burmaster's site. These mile markers, consisting of a white square with a green circle on it, are used sparingly throughout Illinois. They sometimes reveal an otherwise unmarked route maintained by the state. I used to get a kick out of discovering them by accident- it felt like uncovering a secret every time I found one.
http://www.billburmaster.com/rmsandw/illinois/misc/il900.html
Quote from: hbelkins on January 09, 2023, 11:48:38 AM
All mileposts on US routes in Tennessee show the secret state highway number.
I think the only hidden one I haven't seen mileposts for was TN 389 in Chattanooga, but maybe I wasn't looking close enough.
Quote from: Takumi on January 09, 2023, 12:39:31 PM
I think the only time VA 420 has ever been posted was on some temporary construction signs a few years ago.
I've seen a few of the VA 3xx routes on construction signage. There were a ton of VA 302 signs around the UVA campus about 10 years ago. Of course, none of them remain.
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.9659567,-93.2699381,3a,15y,129.02h,88.75t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sGuxhohYuRJ4IC8R5tZFQPg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
MN 65 from I-35W to S 10th Street is signed on the mile markers, but it's actually not signed as a "state highway".
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.9586167,-93.2694148,3a,75y,3.82h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sSWD3xTvtUEsJCgk-3xviUA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
^ That interchange is a whole lot better than it was before 2017. What a marked change! :clap:
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 08, 2023, 09:47:57 PM
Strangely CA 77 has no guide signage from I-880 but has a crap ton of reassurance shields on it's half mile constructed routing. Some routes are almost totally hidden aside from guide sign shields such as CA 185, CA 213 and CA 238.
IIRC isn't some of the portion of Mission Boulevard that is 238 but has few reassurance signs...a section that is now maintained by the city of Fremont instead? Not 100% sure.
One route that has some reassurance shields but no references on the intersecting freeways is former Business US 40 along San Pablo Avenue, the current Route 123 from Oakland through Berkeley to Richmond.
Route 221 in the Napa area is one where I don't think there are any reassurance signs for the road along its length, but it is signed right at the two major junctions.
Quote from: TheStranger on January 10, 2023, 05:01:32 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 08, 2023, 09:47:57 PM
Strangely CA 77 has no guide signage from I-880 but has a crap ton of reassurance shields on it's half mile constructed routing. Some routes are almost totally hidden aside from guide sign shields such as CA 185, CA 213 and CA 238.
IIRC isn't some of the portion of Mission Boulevard that is 238 but has few reassurance signs...a section that is now maintained by the city of Fremont instead? Not 100% sure.
One route that has some reassurance shields but no references on the intersecting freeways is former Business US 40 along San Pablo Avenue, the current Route 123 from Oakland through Berkeley to Richmond.
Route 221 in the Napa area is one where I don't think there are any reassurance signs for the road along its length, but it is signed right at the two major junctions.
Regarding 123 I did find this a couple years ago:
https://flic.kr/p/2dHBnFo
VA-388 has a very small reference at it's east end on VA-20, I haven't been on the route, so I don't know if there's more signage.
Quote from: Hunty2022 on January 10, 2023, 11:08:59 AM
VA-388 has a very small reference at it's east end on VA-20, I haven't been on the route, so I don't know if there's more signage.
It wasn't posted anywhere else last time I was in the area, but that was a few years ago.
Interestingly, there is a posting for VA 317 just up the road, but that road is permanently closed.
WVDOH used to post some odd long rectangular stationing signage in seemingly random places, with information about the route number at the top of the signs. At one time, I'm pretty sure that there were several of these posted on the old Montgomery Bridge (unposted WV-6) with a reference to the hidden route number. I haven't any of these in many years, nor can I find any remaining on West Virginia hidden routes.
Every Oregon Highway where a bridge of any sort is involved, per the ODOT bridge inventory sign.
I'm not about to stop on this ramp for a real pic, lol. SR 315C in Columbus. It's not signed in any other way, and I don't even know why it exists as such in the first place. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230110/6e4b92b94af5e3bcdc327abc5a000f24.jpg)
I would say NY 990V, but that one's completely signed (https://www.alpsroads.net/roads/ny/ny_990v/), no half-ass about it.
Nothing about Maine 701 and 703 yet?
https://goo.gl/maps/3e9MxHWsfz1rcADr7
https://goo.gl/maps/fv6s9EsXkaHnQ6w29
Did/does the NJTP have any reference marker that say NJ 700?
Quote from: 6a on January 10, 2023, 05:22:45 PM
I'm not about to stop on this ramp for a real pic, lol. SR 315C in Columbus. It's not signed in any other way, and I don't even know why it exists as such in the first place. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230110/6e4b92b94af5e3bcdc327abc5a000f24.jpg)
It seems like a designation for Goodale Blvd from the 670 ramp to Olentangy River Rd. Not sure how those signs are typically numbered on ramps, but to me it seems strange they didn't mark it 315.
https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/static/Programs/TechServices/SLD/SR/0315C/SFRASR00315C.pdf (https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/static/Programs/TechServices/SLD/SR/0315C/SFRASR00315C.pdf)
Quote from: jt4 on January 12, 2023, 03:23:10 PM
Quote from: 6a on January 10, 2023, 05:22:45 PM
I'm not about to stop on this ramp for a real pic, lol. SR 315C in Columbus. It's not signed in any other way, and I don't even know why it exists as such in the first place. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230110/6e4b92b94af5e3bcdc327abc5a000f24.jpg)
It seems like a designation for Goodale Blvd from the 670 ramp to Olentangy River Rd. Not sure how those signs are typically numbered on ramps, but to me it seems strange they didn't mark it 315.
https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/static/Programs/TechServices/SLD/SR/0315C/SFRASR00315C.pdf (https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/static/Programs/TechServices/SLD/SR/0315C/SFRASR00315C.pdf)
This isn't a ramp, it's a bridge on Goodale Avenue. Since it's not on mainline SR 315, over mainline SR 315, or a ramp from SR 315, it's not going to be signed as SR 315.
Honestly, I'm not sure why ODOT maintains this at all. All of the movements between I-670 and SR 315 are served by other ramps, and even there were missing movements, it's not uncommon for them to involve roads owned by counties or municipalities.
Quote from: Bitmapped on January 12, 2023, 06:22:09 PM
Honestly, I'm not sure why ODOT maintains this at all. All of the movements between I-670 and SR 315 are served by other ramps, and even there were missing movements, it's not uncommon for them to involve roads owned by counties or municipalities.
It's a remnant of the old configuration, when you used Goodale to get from 670 west to 315 north and 315 south to 670 east.
https://www.historicaerials.com/location/39.974160/-83.016676/1963/16
Quote from: 1 on January 09, 2023, 11:50:11 AM
New York has been known to post reference routes as if they were actual shields. While this one is on a milepost and not a standalone shield, it's also, well, see for yourself: (photo by formulanone)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/400/31562949101_34c2701418_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Q67n8B)
I am absolutely speechless.
All of Kentucky's parkways have unsigned 9000-series numbers. The only place where I know of a route being posted is on I-64, where the westbound carriageway of the Mountain Parkway passes over the interstate. There's a small green "KY 9000" text sign on I-64, as Kentucky policy (not universally followed) is to post signs identifying the crossing route where a freeway goes over or under a state numbered route.
Quote from: hbelkins on January 13, 2023, 09:29:34 AM
All of Kentucky's parkways have unsigned 9000-series numbers. The only place where I know of a route being posted is on I-64, where the westbound carriageway of the Mountain Parkway passes over the interstate. There's a small green "KY 9000" text sign on I-64, as Kentucky policy (not universally followed) is to post signs identifying the crossing route where a freeway goes over or under a state numbered route.
402. :D
Quote from: Rothman on January 13, 2023, 02:32:18 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on January 13, 2023, 09:29:34 AM
All of Kentucky's parkways have unsigned 9000-series numbers. The only place where I know of a route being posted is on I-64, where the westbound carriageway of the Mountain Parkway passes over the interstate. There's a small green "KY 9000" text sign on I-64, as Kentucky policy (not universally followed) is to post signs identifying the crossing route where a freeway goes over or under a state numbered route.
402. :D
A contractor actually posted KY 402 signs when the KY 11 toll booth cloverleaf was rebuilt in the 1980s, but those signs were quickly replaced with the old-style signs before I could ever get a photo.
When it was KY 114, it was never signed as such.
Florida is one of those states with an unsigned state highway underlay route for every interstate and US highway. In a couple of weird cases in eastern Tallahassee, that state highway is in fact signed:
(https://i.imgur.com/End8KlM.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/VdKd8gC.jpg)
Most of SR 61 is concurrent with US 319, though there are some independent sections in and south of Tallahassee, so I suppose I understand why it might have a few signs along its 319 overlaps, though this is the beginning of the long overlap from northeast Tallahassee up to the Georgia line. SR 261 is the half of Capital Circle east of Woodville Highway (SR 363) - it is entirely concurrent with US 319 and should not be signed anywhere.
SR 519 in Seattle is generally unsigned (and forgotten about), but the recent Alaskan Way rebuild has installed shields on a few of the signal-mounted street name signs (https://www.google.com/maps/@47.6015622,-122.3361548,3a,68.2y,80.11h,96.05t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1shys0Uv9ZAIQkPB1fKD2Xjg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en). The segments between the SR 99 ramps and I-5/I-90 are still completely unsigned. My conspiracy theory is that this was done in response to the controversy over how wide the new street is south of the ferry terminal. 😉
SR 513 is similarly forgotten, but it has one very old reassurance shield (https://www.google.com/maps/@47.6611136,-122.2919658,3a,36y,126.3h,93.93t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1smjQyU6_ABYxHocgUynJhIw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en) in a weird, barely visible spot in the middle of the route.
Some of Alaska's signed state routes also carry hidden interstate designations. These are never signed publicly but will be displayed on GPS units. But they don't always line up like you'd think. For example, AK-3 is secretly signed as Interstate A4. (Because Interstate A3 is assigned to portions of AK-1).
The secret interstate designations is due solely to receive federal funding. They do not conform to actual interstate design standards at all, except for a few freeway portions in Anchorage.
CA-244 in Sacramento but it's usually refered to as the CA-51/Business 80 @ I-80 interchange ramp.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_State_Route_244
Quote from: hbelkins on January 13, 2023, 09:29:34 AM
All of Kentucky's parkways have unsigned 9000-series numbers. The only place where I know of a route being posted is on I-64, where the westbound carriageway of the Mountain Parkway passes over the interstate. There's a small green "KY 9000" text sign on I-64, as Kentucky policy (not universally followed) is to post signs identifying the crossing route where a freeway goes over or under a state numbered route.
https://goo.gl/maps/4Z16Fcrz7CfcL76A8
The former Green River/Natcher Parkway has KY 9007 signed south of the I-65/I-165 interchange (Exit 20) near Bowling Green. It wasn't signed as such until the Natcher became I-165 even though that was the secret designation for that parkway. I guess KYTC
may consider this section as part of the Natcher. If not, then Kentucky has its
highest signed state highway.
Quote from: LilianaUwU on January 12, 2023, 10:24:12 AM
I would say NY 990V, but that one's completely signed (https://www.alpsroads.net/roads/ny/ny_990v/), no half-ass about it.
NY 990L, 961F, and 962J are in the same boat.
Quote from: Declan127 on January 18, 2023, 06:50:00 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on January 12, 2023, 10:24:12 AM
I would say NY 990V, but that one's completely signed (https://www.alpsroads.net/roads/ny/ny_990v/), no half-ass about it.
NY 990L, 961F, and 962J are in the same boat.
I don't think the other three are in the same league. 990V is FULLY signed. Full junction signage. Reassurance shields. End signs. It has it all, comprehensively. The next-most signed is 961F, and it lacks junction signage from NY 36, and it's reassurance shields lack directional banners. 962J is down to one junction sign per current GSV, though it used to be better signed, and 990L only has one reassurance shield, and I don't think that one was ever particularly well signed.
Quote from: vdeane on January 18, 2023, 09:24:13 PM
Quote from: Declan127 on January 18, 2023, 06:50:00 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on January 12, 2023, 10:24:12 AM
I would say NY 990V, but that one's completely signed (https://www.alpsroads.net/roads/ny/ny_990v/), no half-ass about it.
NY 990L, 961F, and 962J are in the same boat.
I don't think the other three are in the same league. 990V is FULLY signed. Full junction signage. Reassurance shields. End signs. It has it all, comprehensively. The next-most signed is 961F, and it lacks junction signage from NY 36, and it's reassurance shields lack directional banners. 962J is down to one junction sign per current GSV, though it used to be better signed, and 990L only has one reassurance shield, and I don't think that one was ever particularly well signed.
Isn't the story behind 990V that whatever town didn't want a touring route, but NYSDOT wanted something so they just signed the ref route instead?
Quote from: vdeane on January 18, 2023, 09:24:13 PM
Quote from: Declan127 on January 18, 2023, 06:50:00 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on January 12, 2023, 10:24:12 AM
I would say NY 990V, but that one's completely signed (https://www.alpsroads.net/roads/ny/ny_990v/), no half-ass about it.
NY 990L, 961F, and 962J are in the same boat.
I don't think the other three are in the same league. 990V is FULLY signed. Full junction signage. Reassurance shields. End signs. It has it all, comprehensively. The next-most signed is 961F, and it lacks junction signage from NY 36, and it's reassurance shields lack directional banners. 962J is down to one junction sign per current GSV, though it used to be better signed, and 990L only has one reassurance shield, and I don't think that one was ever particularly well signed.
I had been referring to the fact that they're all signed at some point, not the fully signed part.
Back to said topic, I'd also mention NY 25C, but that's a contractor error based on old reference markers and not a secret route being exposed.
It's been several months now but I went to Pine Bluff earlier today because AR 935 is signed now. This is a Marine Fuel Tax (or MFT) route and they're sporadically found around Arkansas but signage is usually hit or miss. AR 935 was unsigned until around 2018-2019 but I just now got a picture of it today.
(https://i.imgur.com/N1JsD4c.jpeg)
Quote from: jay8g on January 15, 2023, 02:01:09 AM
SR 519 in Seattle is generally unsigned (and forgotten about), but the recent Alaskan Way rebuild has installed shields on a few of the signal-mounted street name signs (https://www.google.com/maps/@47.6015622,-122.3361548,3a,68.2y,80.11h,96.05t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1shys0Uv9ZAIQkPB1fKD2Xjg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en). The segments between the SR 99 ramps and I-5/I-90 are still completely unsigned. My conspiracy theory is that this was done in response to the controversy over how wide the new street is south of the ferry terminal. 😉
SR 519 has a normal shield facing the NB lanes. The lack of signs dates back to the beginnings of the viaduct demolition project, so long before people started freaking out.
Quote from: TBKS1 on May 01, 2023, 07:57:52 PM
It's been several months now but I went to Pine Bluff earlier today because AR 935 is signed now. This is a Marine Fuel Tax (or MFT) route and they're sporadically found around Arkansas but signage is usually hit or miss. AR 935 was unsigned until around 2018-2019 but I just now got a picture of it today.
(https://i.imgur.com/N1JsD4c.jpeg)
I love the subtlety of that. Most laymen probably ignore it.
Not a single mention of the CT SSR and SR system? All are numbered 400 or higher. While they are state maintained, they are 99.9% unsigned, though a couple were briefly, and some bridge markers contain the numbers. They can be either actual roads, or an extended exit ramp (or in the case of SR's 695 and 796, both). The formats are as follows:
400 series: Serve mostly state facilities (airports, state parks, maintenance garages) and are found statewide
500 series: Most routes in DOT Region 1 (most of Hartford and Tolland County, northeaster New Haven County)
600 series: Most routes in DOT Region 2 (most of Middlesex, Windham, New London County)
700 series: Most routes in DOT Region 3 (southern New Haven and Fairfield Counties)
800 series: Most routes in DOT Region 4 (nortwestern New Haven, northern Fairfield, Litchfield Counties, a couple towns in Hartford)
900 series: Extremely short connector routes (many < 1 mile), often the stub of a signed route with incongruous portions at a major junction.
Quote from: 6a on January 10, 2023, 05:22:45 PM
I'm not about to stop on this ramp for a real pic, lol. SR 315C in Columbus. It's not signed in any other way, and I don't even know why it exists as such in the first place.
<snip photo>
Was that along the ramp(s) between 315 north and 670 east?
Quote from: Takumi on January 09, 2023, 12:39:31 PM
I think the only time VA 420 has ever been posted was on some temporary construction signs a few years ago.
This has also been true of WV 106 and MD 61
Quote from: Mapmikey on May 04, 2023, 09:33:07 PM
Quote from: Takumi on January 09, 2023, 12:39:31 PM
I think the only time VA 420 has ever been posted was on some temporary construction signs a few years ago.
This has also been true of WV 106 and MD 61
I saw that for MD 935 along MD 36 south of Frostburg last summer. I have not been back to check up further on that.
It's been two years but I want to bring this topic back.
I posted about this back in June 2024, but I took a drive to Moro Bay State Park in Bradley County and saw that AR 600 was signed there. AR 600 is an umbrella designation for all state park roads in Arkansas, and this isn't meant to be signed. I think the reason why this section is signed is because of it being a former alignment of then AR 15, now US 63.
(https://i.imgur.com/wcgKg4K.jpeg)
However, just a few days ago, I took a drive to North Arkansas and visited a few state parks there, and I happened to see that AR 600 was also signed at Davidsonville State Park in Randolph County (along with AR 166)...
(https://i.imgur.com/NovV7db.jpeg)
... and then a little bit further down the road to Lake Charles State Park in Lawrence County, where AR 600 was also signed!
(https://i.imgur.com/mdW8jUd.jpeg)
CA 244 doesn't have any on Route shields but does have Postmiles paddles with the highway number. One of them can be seen next to the bridge in this photo from the southbound lanes:
https://flic.kr/p/2qXiYGE
A few months ago, I found two wonky Alabama 42 shields at the northern terminus of Mobile CR 5. It's the hidden designation for US 98 (and posted to the wiki for posterity).
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54383149403_c8c066cb25_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qRDRCX)
Louisiana pretty much signs all their routes. Only a few short state routes are not signed more for the sake of causing more confusion.
Spur LA 415
This is pretty much a connector to give access from US 190 to 415. Until I was more into maps and routes, I never even realized 415 continued north of US 190, because the mainline 4 lanes following the spur appear to be the through route. The Spur is only really signed now at the exit ramp:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZffE4zQ5W632Lg3c8
And LA 3249 we never signed until more recently when the I-20 interchange at Well Rd in West Monroe was redisgned with a roundabout.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UyJX9yfUELRkkn2V6
US-129 (secret SR-49) is undergoing bridge work in portions of Florida, and as such has a restriction on oversized vehicles. How exactly did the contractor sign the restriction?
PCMS: SR-49 BRIDGE WORK / NO OVERSIZED VEHICLES
And all the detour signs are signed as SR-49 with zero mention to US-129 actually being the road with the restrictions...
:verymad:
Quote from: ElishaGOtis on May 18, 2025, 12:20:30 PMUS-129 (secret SR-49) is undergoing bridge work in portions of Florida, and as such has a restriction on oversized vehicles. How exactly did the contractor sign the restriction?
PCMS: SR-49 BRIDGE WORK / NO OVERSIZED VEHICLES
And all the detour signs are signed as SR-49 with zero mention to US-129 actually being the road with the restrictions...
:verymad:
Sounds like there are some potential collectors items.
Quote from: formulanone on May 16, 2025, 01:12:23 PMA few months ago, I found two wonky Alabama 42 shields at the northern terminus of Mobile CR 5. It's the hidden designation for US 98 (and posted to the wiki for posterity).
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54383149403_c8c066cb25_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qRDRCX)
I saw AL 42 shields like at back in December 2009.
Quote from: jp the roadgeek on May 02, 2023, 11:39:22 PMNot a single mention of the CT SSR and SR system? All are numbered 400 or higher. While they are state maintained, they are 99.9% unsigned, though a couple were briefly, and some bridge markers contain the numbers. They can be either actual roads, or an extended exit ramp (or in the case of SR's 695 and 796, both)....
Several times recently I've seen notices of delays on SR 796 (Milford Parkway) on VMS, despite it not being physically signed with the number.
Quote from: TBKS1 on May 16, 2025, 11:38:18 AM(https://i.imgur.com/mdW8jUd.jpeg)
Calibri on a road sign? Gross.
Santa Barbara County uses Helvetica a lot. Especially on the CA-154 shields.