Recently the signs on North Avenue/Walkers Brook Drive at I-95 in Wakefield and Reading were replaced. Where paddle signs would have been used before, they were replaced with ground-mounted signs constructed with what looks like a design similar to BGS's on the mainline interstates, although much smaller, on two uprights. Has MassDOT finally retired the paddle sign design, or was this a one-off?
They've been put up on Woburn St in Lowell where it junctions with I-495, so those signs have spread to some other areas I am aware of.
photos plz
Here's an example of the new type of guide signage seen along Derby Street in Hingham:
(https://malmeroads.net/mass21c/derbystproj721a.JPG)
I passed a similar one approaching the new roundabout with US-7 on MA-23 EB/MA-41 NB in Great Barrington this summer:
(https://i.imgur.com/mcD728h.jpg)
Quote from: bob7374 on October 30, 2023, 11:29:20 PM
Here's an example of the new type of guide signage seen along Derby Street in Hingham:
(https://malmeroads.net/mass21c/derbystproj721a.JPG)
I would call those LGS not BGS. But all of that is just language we use here.
We need some sort of classification like Mini-BGS. Those look like full on extruded metal signs with metal supports, just smaller.
Quote from: storm2k on November 02, 2023, 08:30:26 PM
We need some sort of classification like Mini-BGS. Those look like full on extruded metal signs with metal supports, just smaller.
They are BGS's without the B, if you will.
Quote from: SidS1045 on October 30, 2023, 02:50:52 PM
Has MassDOT finally retired the paddle sign design, or was this a one-off?
Based on what I've seen on recent visits; the paddle-style signs are still used for the
ENTERING bookleaf panels as well as green panels where the sign message & lettering can still fit.
The change to the MUTCD standards that now require use of mixed-case lettering on smaller guide signs was likely the reasoning why MassDOT introduced the new style panels & posts.
Still an all text paddle sign from 1993 in Salem, MA.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53261452216_2870f818b7_k.jpg)
Quote from: Mergingtraffic on November 21, 2023, 07:39:55 PM
Still an all text paddle sign from 1993 in Salem, MA.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53261452216_2870f818b7_k.jpg)
oh wow, they were using that older style with the mileages in the sign well into the 90s?
Quote from: mariethefoxy on November 22, 2023, 07:18:00 AM
Quote from: Mergingtraffic on November 21, 2023, 07:39:55 PM
Still an all text paddle sign from 1993 in Salem, MA.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53261452216_2870f818b7_k.jpg)
oh wow, they were using that older style with the mileages in the sign well into the 90s?
Even more interesting was that the long-gone
cut-corner predecessor signage for this area had the 114 westbound mileage listed as:
PEABODY 3
DANVERS 4
The text-only paddle signs lasted well into the 00s on the Cape. I miss them.
The junctions of 114, 125 and 133 in Andover still has paddle signs that are all text with the mileages...
Andover Paddle Signs GSV (https://maps.app.goo.gl/c13kyjZEJdNo1SFn7)
I've seen these signs for most of my life, but never knew until now that they were called paddle signs, lol. In my experience, they still exist but now use Route shields and a different font, assuming they fit the criteria. I do kinda miss the old school all-text ones, though IIR they weren't as sturdy as the new ones hopefully are.
Quote from: Ted$8roadFan on July 18, 2024, 05:27:40 AMI've seen these signs for most of my life, but never knew until now that they were called paddle signs, lol. In my experience, they still exist but now use Route shields and a different font, assuming they fit the criteria. I do kinda miss the old school all-text ones, though IIR they weren't as sturdy as the new ones hopefully are.
Some of those old-style paddle signs were wooden, IIRC
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on July 18, 2024, 07:10:05 AMQuote from: Ted$8roadFan on July 18, 2024, 05:27:40 AMI've seen these signs for most of my life, but never knew until now that they were called paddle signs, lol. In my experience, they still exist but now use Route shields and a different font, assuming they fit the criteria. I do kinda miss the old school all-text ones, though IIR they weren't as sturdy as the new ones hopefully are.
Some of those old-style paddle signs were wooden, IIRC
Yes, they were. You could tell they were wooden after years of harsh weather had taken their toll.
I prefer Mass DOT use trailblazers at intersections, like seen here (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.1109385,-71.243832,3a,41.2y,297.25h,92.91t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sp_glrEsLqPvVOTD4wZoGyA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3Dp_glrEsLqPvVOTD4wZoGyA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D306.75247%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu).
The state or US route shield inside a green sign looks ugly.
Quote from: kramie13 on July 22, 2024, 09:51:28 AMI prefer Mass DOT use trailblazers at intersections, like seen here (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.1109385,-71.243832,3a,41.2y,297.25h,92.91t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sp_glrEsLqPvVOTD4wZoGyA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3Dp_glrEsLqPvVOTD4wZoGyA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D306.75247%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu).
The state or US route shield inside a green sign looks ugly.
Pfft. Getouttaheah.
Replacing the paddle signs with trailblazers has been a recent development in MA and MA sucks at them after decades of the paddle.
Try to follow US 202, MA 116 or MA 141 through Holyoke. Eesh.
Quote from: kramie13 on July 22, 2024, 09:51:28 AMI prefer Mass DOT use trailblazers at intersections, like seen here (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.1109385,-71.243832,3a,41.2y,297.25h,92.91t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sp_glrEsLqPvVOTD4wZoGyA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3Dp_glrEsLqPvVOTD4wZoGyA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D306.75247%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu).
The state or US route shield inside a green sign looks ugly.
At least when a green sign is used you don't have two signs leaning in two different directions partially covering each other like in this example.
Quote from: Rothman on July 22, 2024, 11:30:55 AMQuote from: kramie13 on July 22, 2024, 09:51:28 AMI prefer Mass DOT use trailblazers at intersections, like seen here (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.1109385,-71.243832,3a,41.2y,297.25h,92.91t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sp_glrEsLqPvVOTD4wZoGyA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3Dp_glrEsLqPvVOTD4wZoGyA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D306.75247%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu).
The state or US route shield inside a green sign looks ugly.
Pfft. Getouttaheah.
Replacing the paddle signs with trailblazers has been a recent development in MA and MA sucks at them after decades of the paddle.
Try to follow US 202, MA 116 or MA 141 through Holyoke. Eesh.
I prefer their old paddles with the number "riding" the arrow i.e --132-->
Quote from: Rothman on July 22, 2024, 11:30:55 AMReplacing the paddle signs with trailblazers has been a recent development in MA and MA sucks at them after decades of the paddle.
Paddle signs are alive and well and the state is not replacing them with trailblazers. It really just depends on the intersection and how much information needs to be conveyed. Trailblazers at minor intersections have been done here forever. They're not a new thing.
What they are doing is implementing their new guide sign standards to replace the paddle sign standard. Basically an extruded aluminum sign, about the size of a paddle sign, that combines both panels into 1 with either 1 or 2 supports. They've been popping up all over and with new sign replacement projects.
Quote from: Rothman on July 22, 2024, 11:30:55 AMTry to follow US 202, MA 116 or MA 141 through Holyoke. Eesh.
None of those are maintained by MassDOT, except the bridges over the river and canals. YMMV when it comes to town maintenance.
Quote from: 5foot14 on July 26, 2024, 11:50:12 AMQuote from: Rothman on July 22, 2024, 11:30:55 AMReplacing the paddle signs with trailblazers has been a recent development in MA and MA sucks at them after decades of the paddle.
Paddle signs are alive and well and the state is not replacing them with trailblazers. It really just depends on the intersection and how much information needs to be conveyed. Trailblazers at minor intersections have been done here forever. They're not a new thing.
Baloney. I've seen more paddle signs swapped out for trailblazers over the past 20 years or so than the thirty years prior.
QuoteWhat they are doing is implementing their new guide sign standards to replace the paddle sign standard. Basically an extruded aluminum sign, about the size of a paddle sign, that combines both panels into 1 with either 1 or 2 supports. They've been popping up all over and with new sign replacement projects.
Quote from: Rothman on July 22, 2024, 11:30:55 AMTry to follow US 202, MA 116 or MA 141 through Holyoke. Eesh.
None of those are maintained by MassDOT, except the bridges over the river and canals. YMMV when it comes to town maintenance.
This sounds like a MassDOT/Legislature issue. Blaming the towns for not maintaining good signage for state highways isn't a good look (MassDOT = "It's their fault and we're not going to do anything about it."). If that's the stance, start and end State highway designations along with the maintenance swaps.
Quote from: Rothman on July 26, 2024, 03:29:27 PMThis sounds like a MassDOT/Legislature issue. Blaming the towns for not maintaining good signage for state highways isn't a good look (MassDOT = "It's their fault and we're not going to do anything about it."). If that's the stance, start and end State highway designations along with the maintenance swaps.
How is navigating US 11 south through Syracuse these days?
Quote from: vdeane on July 26, 2024, 09:21:59 PMQuote from: Rothman on July 26, 2024, 03:29:27 PMThis sounds like a MassDOT/Legislature issue. Blaming the towns for not maintaining good signage for state highways isn't a good look (MassDOT = "It's their fault and we're not going to do anything about it."). If that's the stance, start and end State highway designations along with the maintenance swaps.
How is navigating US 11 south through Syracuse these days?
Like I've bemoaned elsewhere on the forum myself, miserable. :D
Quote from: 5foot14 on July 17, 2024, 10:53:30 AMThe junctions of 114, 125 and 133 in Andover still has paddle signs that are all text with the mileages...
Andover Paddle Signs GSV (https://maps.app.goo.gl/c13kyjZEJdNo1SFn7)
Those look to be 80s vintage.
Example of a relatively new Paddle-style LGS at along MA 129 at the I-95 (MA 128) interchange. (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.5264461,-71.0804222,3a,75y,321.06h,75.1t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sX0R8hdG1VopC-RaNALyRhg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?coh=205409&entry=ttu)
Long story short: such are still made.
Quote from: PHLBOS on July 31, 2024, 04:44:03 PMQuote from: 5foot14 on July 17, 2024, 10:53:30 AMThe junctions of 114, 125 and 133 in Andover still has paddle signs that are all text with the mileages...
Andover Paddle Signs GSV (https://maps.app.goo.gl/c13kyjZEJdNo1SFn7)
Those look to be 80s vintage.
Example of a relatively new Paddle-style LGS at along MA 129 at the I-95 (MA 128) interchange. (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.5264461,-71.0804222,3a,75y,321.06h,75.1t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sX0R8hdG1VopC-RaNALyRhg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?coh=205409&entry=ttu)
Long story short: such are still made.
Combination of old and new style guide signs just down the road (https://maps.app.goo.gl/e8XTAgBhS562EszNA).