PA 9 Shield Pictures

[jemacedo9]

...at Downingtown Interchange/Exit 312, PA 100

[Roadsguy]

That's actually the first case of a covered PA 9 shield I saw in person. I've been through there about twice coming up from the Philly Airport area after surviving two-lane 322.

Anyway, I kinda meant pictures of uncovered shields from either before the renumbering, or before maybe the PTC fixed a spot they missed.

[PHLBOS]

That's actually the first case of a covered PA 9 shield I saw in person. I've been through there about twice coming up from the Philly Airport area after surviving two-lane 322.

Anyway, I kinda meant pictures of uncovered shields from either before the renumbering, or before maybe the PTC fixed a spot they missed.

The conversion of the NE Extension from PA 9 to I-476 was one rare occasion where the PTC (and PennDOT where applicable) wasted no time in replacing all shields... even if the BGS' in question were erected just a few years earlier as per the majority of the examples posted and already commented on. 

As stated earlier, PTC's hesitance to erect PA 9 shields (in anticipation to receiving an Interstate designation) is one reason why there weren't that many PA 9 shields to cover/replace.  Most people didn't even call it Route 9 by name; they just called it the Northeast Extension.

Ironically, that example at the Downingtown interchange (erected circa 1992-1993) with its overhead gantry replaced a set of ground-mounted BGS' (one panel posted above the other) that were erected just a few years earlier.  That BGS for I-76 eastbound did not include any reference to the NE Extension; it simply read 76 EAST Philadelphia w/an 45 degree angled arrow to the right of the message.  The BGS assembly for PA 100 after one clears the toll booth gives an idea what the old BGS assembly resembled... except the ones for I-76 were larger and had the control cities in standard FHWA mixed-case lettering (vs. all-caps for the PA 100 BGS').

[StogieGuy7]

Wasn't original Thruway signage blue, though?

Yes, the original Thruway signs were blue but were retrofitted or replaced to green with the adoption of the guidelines that came along with the Interstate system. The old style guide signs (with the exit number on the bottom line) that lasted until the early 90s were green.

Yes, but isn't the pictured sign from either the collector or exit ramp leading from the Thruway?  Isn't it possible that the guide signs on the Thruway were still a mix of green and blue at that time (looks like late 1970s)?   

One thing I recall about signage during the 1970s was that NY and PA stuck out in my mind as the two states where route numbers were not in shields on highway/freeway guide signs.  As a kid, I found the presentation to be very ugly.  MA had the 'spade' (on non limited-access state roads) which also did not place the route number in a shield, but they were black on a white square on the larger guide signs.  Those had the arrow that went through the number. 

[machias]

Wasn't original Thruway signage blue, though?

Yes, the original Thruway signs were blue but were retrofitted or replaced to green with the adoption of the guidelines that came along with the Interstate system. The old style guide signs (with the exit number on the bottom line) that lasted until the early 90s were green.

Yes, but isn't the pictured sign from either the collector or exit ramp leading from the Thruway?  Isn't it possible that the guide signs on the Thruway were still a mix of green and blue at that time (looks like late 1970s)?   

The picture is from 1976.

One thing I recall about signage during the 1970s was that NY and PA stuck out in my mind as the two states where route numbers were not in shields on highway/freeway guide signs.  As a kid, I found the presentation to be very ugly.  MA had the 'spade' (on non limited-access state roads) which also did not place the route number in a shield, but they were black on a white square on the larger guide signs.  Those had the arrow that went through the number. 

Must be because I grew up with the all-text route numbers in New York, but I've always liked the way it looked (and it must be a little cheaper to do it this way).  Wisconsin did it similarly for a while. I remember signs saying "Hwy 123" instead of the Wis. marker.   I don't think Massachusetts ever used MA 123, wasn't everything a "Route" or "Rte."?

I'm trying to remember if I ever saw PA 9 on a sign and I don't think so. I remember an all text P.A. 106 on I-81 (with the shadow of U.S. under the P.A.), and yes the periods were presented that way.

[agentsteel53]

Must be because I grew up with the all-text route numbers in New York, but I've always liked the way it looked (and it must be a little cheaper to do it this way).  Wisconsin did it similarly for a while. I remember signs saying "Hwy 123" instead of the Wis. marker.   I don't think Massachusetts ever used MA 123, wasn't everything a "Route" or "Rte."?

I'm trying to remember if I ever saw PA 9 on a sign and I don't think so. I remember an all text P.A. 106 on I-81 (with the shadow of U.S. under the P.A.), and yes the periods were presented that way.

my 1957 and 1961 interstate reference manuals show that both options are viable.  the spelled-out route number can lead to a smaller sign, saving material costs.

I believe the 1970 manual mandated shields, but I don't have one of those offhand.

Wisconsin was mixed.  I've seen a photo of an outline shield Wisconsin state route marker - oblong over triangle.  That would correspond to 1957 spec, but not 1961.  It was even button copy!  Truly a small-run shape for the AGA Company!

[StogieGuy7]

Must be because I grew up with the all-text route numbers in New York, but I've always liked the way it looked (and it must be a little cheaper to do it this way).  Wisconsin did it similarly for a while. I remember signs saying "Hwy 123" instead of the Wis. marker.   I don't think Massachusetts ever used MA 123, wasn't everything a "Route" or "Rte."?

What I meant about MA was this:



The really old ones were peaked on top with the highway number in the center. 

Just found an example (but with the Interstate 291 shield in it):

[agentsteel53]

The really old ones were peaked on top with the highway number in the center.

yep, there's only about 5-10 cut corner signs left, as far as I know.


gone.  (1966 sign, 2006 photo)


still around!  (1948 sign, 2006 photo)


none of this style, with the blackened out triangles, survive as far as I know.  (1930 sign and photo)

[StogieGuy7]

@agentsteel53: My compliments on the pics - really cool to see!!