AARoads Forum

Regional Boards => Great Lakes and Ohio Valley => Topic started by: andrewkbrown on July 15, 2012, 07:10:03 PM

Title: Unusual I-70 Cantilever
Post by: andrewkbrown on July 15, 2012, 07:10:03 PM
Does anyone have any ideas about this sign? Why is it off to the side and cantilevered over grass rather than the road? The many times I've passed it, it doesn't even look like it would be tall enough to go over the lanes.

https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=39.933244,-82.83582&spn=0.000008,0.005284&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=39.933239,-82.835517&panoid=5rPLvurlbF9msAxnjS-wPQ&cbp=12,304.19,,0,-3.7
Title: Re: Unusual I-70 Cantilever
Post by: Milepost61 on July 15, 2012, 10:07:54 PM
There might be something in the ground they needed to avoid with a second post, a utility or something.

Was it put in by the airport instead of the DOT? Airports always kind of seem to be doing their own thing.
Title: Re: Unusual I-70 Cantilever
Post by: tdindy88 on July 16, 2012, 07:49:38 PM
I can't say what the exact reason for that sign is, but it airport for Columbus is a little further to the northwest from that location, so it isn't an airport sign. The utility theory may be a better guess though.
Title: Re: Unusual I-70 Cantilever
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on July 16, 2012, 11:46:22 PM
<shrugs shoulders> I guess that sign (in the photo link the OP posted) was errected in conjunction with I-670 east's (I-71 to I-270) completion in the early 90s.
Title: Re: Unusual I-70 Cantilever
Post by: 6a on July 17, 2012, 08:33:26 PM
I'll bet there's electric in the way.  Check out the alignment of the lights.

https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=39.933232,-82.835294&spn=0.003468,0.008256&t=h&layer=c&cbll=39.933227,-82.83506&panoid=bhnsayqlAoHa0nwqgKPbeQ&cbp=12,306.65,,0,7.82&z=18

e: I have a job that entails driving around central Ohio and I never noticed that.  Out-freaking-standing.
Title: Re: Unusual I-70 Cantilever
Post by: Central Avenue on July 20, 2012, 05:23:52 AM
Heh, I always kinda wondered about that one myself.

The sign itself seems to be slightly older than the other signs through that stretch, too, but not old enough to be button copy.
Title: Re: Unusual I-70 Cantilever
Post by: vtk on September 28, 2012, 02:26:12 AM
My guess is the structure was positioned in anticipation of braiding between the Brice Rd and I-270 interchanges.  The sign itself looks like it dates to the 2003 sign replacement project along I-70; I have no idea if this cantilever structure is older than that, or if the '03 sign was moved to the (newer) structure sometime after.
Title: Re: Unusual I-70 Cantilever
Post by: Special K on September 28, 2012, 08:04:36 AM
Quote from: 6a on July 17, 2012, 08:33:26 PM
I'll bet there's electric in the way.  Check out the alignment of the lights.

https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=39.933232,-82.835294&spn=0.003468,0.008256&t=h&layer=c&cbll=39.933227,-82.83506&panoid=bhnsayqlAoHa0nwqgKPbeQ&cbp=12,306.65,,0,7.82&z=18

e: I have a job that entails driving around central Ohio and I never noticed that.  Out-freaking-standing.

As far as underground utilities go, electric is probably the easiest to relocate.  I doubt they'd change the position of the sign just for that.  Plus, notice that the sign is lit, so they'd be messing with the electric service anyway.
Title: Re: Unusual I-70 Cantilever
Post by: Central Avenue on September 28, 2012, 05:20:44 PM
Quote from: vtk on September 28, 2012, 02:26:12 AM
My guess is the structure was positioned in anticipation of braiding between the Brice Rd and I-270 interchanges.  The sign itself looks like it dates to the 2003 sign replacement project along I-70; I have no idea if this cantilever structure is older than that, or if the '03 sign was moved to the (newer) structure sometime after.

The age of the sign always confused me. It seems most likely that it was part of the 2003 replacement, but it and its eastbound counterpart (http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i370/longestaugust/Roads/Interstate%2070/DSCN4881.jpg) don't match the style of the other signs through that stretch of I-70, which have the lighting above with blank space by the exit tab. (http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i370/longestaugust/Roads/Interstate%2070/DSCN4861.jpg)

At the same time, it certainly couldn't be older than that because it would have been button copy...
Title: Re: Unusual I-70 Cantilever
Post by: Special K on October 01, 2012, 10:40:02 AM
Quote from: Central Avenue on September 28, 2012, 05:20:44 PM
Quote from: vtk on September 28, 2012, 02:26:12 AM
My guess is the structure was positioned in anticipation of braiding between the Brice Rd and I-270 interchanges.  The sign itself looks like it dates to the 2003 sign replacement project along I-70; I have no idea if this cantilever structure is older than that, or if the '03 sign was moved to the (newer) structure sometime after.

The age of the sign always confused me. It seems most likely that it was part of the 2003 replacement, but it and its eastbound counterpart (http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i370/longestaugust/Roads/Interstate%2070/DSCN4881.jpg) don't match the style of the other signs through that stretch of I-70, which have the lighting above with blank space by the exit tab. (http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i370/longestaugust/Roads/Interstate%2070/DSCN4861.jpg)

At the same time, it certainly couldn't be older than that because it would have been button copy...

The structure could be older than the sign.
Title: Re: Unusual I-70 Cantilever
Post by: agentsteel53 on October 01, 2012, 10:45:05 AM
is it just me or are there two signs stacked on top of one another, there?

the implication is that there is a replacement sign, but the old sign was used as a backing.  (a common practice - why not, you've got a good stiff sheet of aluminum there, so you can use a thinner aluminum sheet for the new sign)
Title: Re: Unusual I-70 Cantilever
Post by: Special K on October 01, 2012, 11:59:15 AM
Quote from: agentsteel53 on October 01, 2012, 10:45:05 AM
is it just me or are there two signs stacked on top of one another, there?

the implication is that there is a replacement sign, but the old sign was used as a backing.  (a common practice - why not, you've got a good stiff sheet of aluminum there, so you can use a thinner aluminum sheet for the new sign)

It looks to me like it's just one extruded aluminum sign. 
Title: Re: Unusual I-70 Cantilever
Post by: 6a on October 01, 2012, 09:19:29 PM
Quote from: Special K on October 01, 2012, 10:40:02 AM
Quote from: Central Avenue on September 28, 2012, 05:20:44 PM
Quote from: vtk on September 28, 2012, 02:26:12 AM
My guess is the structure was positioned in anticipation of braiding between the Brice Rd and I-270 interchanges.  The sign itself looks like it dates to the 2003 sign replacement project along I-70; I have no idea if this cantilever structure is older than that, or if the '03 sign was moved to the (newer) structure sometime after.

The age of the sign always confused me. It seems most likely that it was part of the 2003 replacement, but it and its eastbound counterpart (http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i370/longestaugust/Roads/Interstate%2070/DSCN4881.jpg) don't match the style of the other signs through that stretch of I-70, which have the lighting above with blank space by the exit tab. (http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i370/longestaugust/Roads/Interstate%2070/DSCN4861.jpg)

At the same time, it certainly couldn't be older than that because it would have been button copy...

The structure could be older than the sign.

So, going back to my post, could it be possible the lights are depreciated with the new sign and the whole setup is where it is because of the electric for the lights?  I'm sincerely not trying to be an ass here, it just makes ODOT sense in my brain.
Title: Re: Unusual I-70 Cantilever
Post by: Special K on October 02, 2012, 09:01:46 AM
Quote from: 6a on October 01, 2012, 09:19:29 PM
So, going back to my post, could it be possible the lights are depreciated with the new sign and the whole setup is where it is because of the electric for the lights?  I'm sincerely not trying to be an ass here, it just makes ODOT sense in my brain.

Well, I'm certainly not going to argue with any hypothesis, because there doesn't seem to be any *logical* reason for this location.