Interstate shields on mile markers

[dfilpus]

North Carolina recently opened part of the new Goldsboro bypass for US 70, but signed it NC 44, because it does not connect to US 70 yet. The mile markers have NC 44 shields on them. Since the NC 44 designation is temporary, when the road is redesignated to US 70, these mile markers will need to be redone.

As will those east of Goldsboro! I, for one, am surprised that I-85 has the same mileage throughout the state, after its reroute around Greensboro.

The NC 44 mile markers use US 70 mileage, so just the shield will have to be redone there. NC has been known to fudge mile markers when building bypasses. I think it did fudge I 85 around Greensboro.

[SidS1045]

Massachusetts has them too...markers every 0.2 miles with a shield replica marker every mile.

[Dr Frankenstein]

A lot of states do that. These mile posts are referred to as "Enhanced Reference Location Signs" (D10-4, D10-5) in the MUTCD (page 296 of the 2009 edition). Of the states I've visited, NY, NH and MA do that.

[hobsini2]

WI does it in only in Milwaukee and Madison areas as far as I know. IL does it only on the tollways for now.

[Darkchylde]

Looks like Louisiana's pushing to post them statewide. I've seen them personally on the Northshore, seen pics of them across the Lake, and I've heard of them going up in other parts of the state as well.

Here's a shot of one I personally went out and snapped (I'm still getting the rain out of my hair months later.)

[PHLBOS]

Are there any other states that do U.S. and/or state routes on mile markers?

NH... especially NH 101 from Manchester east to Hampton Beach.  I think there are smaller ones posted every mile on some of the major 2-lane state and US highways.

MassDOT recently erected similar signs along MA 128 north/east of I-95 in Peabody.  I don't know whether the entire Peabody-Gloucester stretch of 128 has been completely covered as of yet.  It's worth noting that the 128 mile marker numbering at I-95 starts at Mile 37.2 (the distance from there to the Canton interchange) as opposed to Mile 0.  Previous overpass/underpass-mounted mile marker signs (from the mid-80s) had the 128 numbering starting 0 at the US 1 (EXIT 44 off I-95) interchange.  This convention predated the 1988 opening of the I-95/MA 128 interchange (EXIT 45).  Remnants of these mile markers (which were calibrated to the 3rd decimal place) still remain along this road and others. 

[roadman65]

One other good thing about these shield milemarkers is the fact that you do not have to worry about finding a reasurrence shield anyplace.  Especially where there is no junction with another road for miles where these shields usually are.

[Beltway]

I happen to like these! They're kind of like secondary reassurance markers that let you know what highway you're on, as well as the distance.

That's the purpose. These are designed to make it easier to report your location in case of an emergency. "Help, 911, I have been involved a wreck on I-999 going south at milepost 49.8. Please send an ambulance and the police."

Also helps emergency services (police, fire and EMS) dispatchers pinpoint the exact location and directional roadway while the service call is in progress, and when they write their service call report.

[roadman65]

The NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway have had tenths mile markers for years.  Matter of fact we used them a lot on the CB back in the day and for saying 138.8 on the GSP it was one thirty-eight over eight was and still probably is the CB lingo to this day.

[Ian]

Are there any other states that do U.S. and/or state routes on mile markers?

NH... especially NH 101 from Manchester east to Hampton Beach.  I think there are smaller ones posted every mile on some of the major 2-lane state and US highways. 

New Hampshire also loves to install mile markers with shields on them ever 10th of a mile on the freeways.

[cpzilliacus]

Maryland generally does this only on tolled segments of freeway (including sections that are maintained by the Maryland Transportation Authority even though it is possible to drive on it without paying a toll). 

[Duke87]

Meanwhile, in Connecticut you're still lucky to find mile markers of any sort.

Putting the route shield on the marker, at least for freeways, really should be a no-brainer.

[golden eagle]

I-55 through Jackson just recently started having mile markers with interstate shields on them. Also (though off the subject a tad), the mile markers are now signed every quarter mile.

[mcdonaat]

I-55 through Jackson just recently started having mile markers with interstate shields on them. Also (though off the subject a tad), the mile markers are now signed every quarter mile.

I-49 was recently signed with mile markers. It has the shield, mile, and they're done in .2 increments... only in Alexandria though.

[kinupanda]

"Bonus" mile marker 1A.0 on I-40 East in Memphis. This is from 2005 and the section was under construction, so I'm not certain if this exact sign is still there.

[US71]

"Bonus" mile marker 1A.0 on I-40 East in Memphis. This is from 2005 and the section was under construction, so I'm not certain if this exact sign is still there.

I believe it is... I was just there last month. If not, than a similar sign.

I've heard Arkansas may be getting mileposts, but I've not seen any. 

Kansas, however, does use them

[formulanone]

Florida's interstates do not use them yet, but some of the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority toll roads use them. Much of Florida's Turnpike is using them, north of FL70, but with the turnpike shield.



They seem to have been installed between February and September of 2012.

[roadman65]

In Hillsborough County, FL FDOT uses text "I-4" on milemarkers at every mile and the half mile.

[Roadsguy]

...

[roadman65]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/8154091328/in/photostream

This one will tell us what exit number Exit 12 will be when NYSDOT makes the change to mile based exits.

[kphoger]

Kansas, however, does use them

Shoot, who needs it to be an Interstate?


...or even a freeway?


...and why not stick some on exit ramps why we're at it?

[roadman65]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/8172766173/in/photostream/lightbox/

Here is one the Taconic State uses, even though the shield is small, it can be seen down low on the right.  It does have the TSP shield like a numbered route does.  Only the southern counties of the Taconic State use them I have only seen.

[connroadgeek]

They're cool and all, but is it really necessary to have anything beyond the actual mile number and fraction? Are route reassurance markers every 0.2 miles necessary? Seems like over kill to me.

[US71]

Shoot, who needs it to be an Interstate?

True:


But if you want to confuse people, double post it 

[theline]

They're cool and all, but is it really necessary to have anything beyond the actual mile number and fraction? Are route reassurance markers every 0.2 miles necessary? Seems like over kill to me.

I suppose they are considered safety devices. If an accident happens or there is some other need to call emergency personnel, you want them to be able to find you quickly. It's not hard to believe that someone might be lost and not know what road they are on, or forget the road number after a trauma. I'd hate to call 911 and say, "I'm at mile marker 124.2, but I don't know what road."

Indiana has mile markers on most state and US roads, as well as ramps.