When did states stop producing button copy Interstate shields?

[Pink Jazz]

While button copy made its death in 2000 with Arizona being the last holdover, I was wondering, when were the last button copy Interstate shields produced?  Button copy Interstate shields seem to be very rare here in Arizona, while button copy BGS are still very common (especially in the rural areas of the state), which leads me to believe that ADOT stopped using it for Interstate shields long before they stopped using it for BGS text.  On the other hand, button copy Interstate shields still seem to be very common in California, so perhaps California continued to produce them until the very end.

Does anyone have an idea on what was the last state to produce button copy Interstate shields?

[hotdogPi]

While button copy made its death in 2000 with Arizona being the last holdover, I was wondering, when were the last button copy Interstate shields produced?  Button copy Interstate shields seem to be very rare here in Arizona, while button copy BGS are still very common (especially in the rural areas of the state), which leads me to believe that ADOT stopped using it for Interstate shields long before they stopped using it for BGS text.  On the other hand, button copy Interstate shields still seem to be very common in California, so perhaps California continued to produce them until the very end.

Does anyone have an idea on what was the last state to produce button copy Interstate shields?

I have seen them in certain places in Massachusetts.

[myosh_tino]

On the other hand, button copy Interstate shields still seem to be very common in California, so perhaps California continued to produce them until the very end.

Probably.  I know that signs at the north end of the CA-85 extension, that opened in 1994, had button-copy I-280 shields.

[DevalDragon]

The only places I have button copy shields in recent years has been the Bay Area in California and in the cities of Cincinnati and Cleveland Ohio.

[jakeroot]

On the other hand, button copy Interstate shields still seem to be very common in California, so perhaps California continued to produce them until the very end.

Probably.  I know that signs at the north end of the CA-85 extension, that opened in 1994, had button-copy I-280 shields.

"Has" probably isn't the right word, since they're still there. Speaking of which, it's odd to see a freeway with all button-copy. Most freeways have a few signs that don't have it; it seems the 85 is entirely button-copy.

[myosh_tino]

On the other hand, button copy Interstate shields still seem to be very common in California, so perhaps California continued to produce them until the very end.

Probably.  I know that signs at the north end of the CA-85 extension, that opened in 1994, had button-copy I-280 shields.

"Has" probably isn't the right word, since they're still there. Speaking of which, it's odd to see a freeway with all button-copy. Most freeways have a few signs that don't have it; it seems the 85 is entirely button-copy.

If we're talking 1994, when the CA-85 extension opened then yes, all of the signs were button-copy but that is not the case today.  Reflective signs can be found in and around the...

* 85/101 interchange in Mountain View, the 85/237 interchange in Mountain View
* Fremont Avenue interchange in Sunnyvale (southbound only)
* Almaden Expressway interchange in south San Jose (northbound only)
* 85/87 interchange (southbound only)
* 85/101 interchange in south San Jose

[roadman]

Massachusetts does appear to be the last state to use newly manufactured Interstate shields with button copy numerals.  This requirement was put in the 1988 MassDPW specifications in response to problems MassDPW was having at the time with the numerals prematurely failing on silk-screened shields.

MassHighway changed their specifications for overhead sign Interstate shields in 2008.  Current requirements call for demountable high intensity prismatic (Type VIII or better) numerals on a silk-screened shield.

[Scott5114]

While button copy made its death in 2000 with Arizona being the last holdover

The last state to stop posting button copy was Ohio. They actually bought the rest of Arizona's supply when Arizona stopped posting it.

[jakeroot]

On the other hand, button copy Interstate shields still seem to be very common in California, so perhaps California continued to produce them until the very end.

Probably.  I know that signs at the north end of the CA-85 extension, that opened in 1994, had button-copy I-280 shields.

"Has" probably isn't the right word, since they're still there. Speaking of which, it's odd to see a freeway with all button-copy. Most freeways have a few signs that don't have it; it seems the 85 is entirely button-copy.

If we're talking 1994, when the CA-85 extension opened then yes, all of the signs were button-copy but that is not the case today.  Reflective signs can be found in and around the...

* 85/101 interchange in Mountain View, the 85/237 interchange in Mountain View
* Fremont Avenue interchange in Sunnyvale (southbound only)
* Almaden Expressway interchange in south San Jose (northbound only)
* 85/87 interchange (southbound only)
* 85/101 interchange in south San Jose

I didn't take the time to scan all 24 miles. My mistake. Nonetheless, I'm still impressed by how much button-copy is still around.

[cl94]

While button copy made its death in 2000 with Arizona being the last holdover

The last state to stop posting button copy was Ohio. They actually bought the rest of Arizona's supply when Arizona stopped posting it.

Agree. Ohio was posting it until the mid-2000s in places. The section of I-670 between I-70 and US 23 has some, much of which dates to 2003.

[andy3175]

On the other hand, button copy Interstate shields still seem to be very common in California, so perhaps California continued to produce them until the very end.

Probably.  I know that signs at the north end of the CA-85 extension, that opened in 1994, had button-copy I-280 shields.

"Has" probably isn't the right word, since they're still there. Speaking of which, it's odd to see a freeway with all button-copy. Most freeways have a few signs that don't have it; it seems the 85 is entirely button-copy.

If we're talking 1994, when the CA-85 extension opened then yes, all of the signs were button-copy but that is not the case today.  Reflective signs can be found in and around the...

* 85/101 interchange in Mountain View, the 85/237 interchange in Mountain View
* Fremont Avenue interchange in Sunnyvale (southbound only)
* Almaden Expressway interchange in south San Jose (northbound only)
* 85/87 interchange (southbound only)
* 85/101 interchange in south San Jose

I didn't take the time to scan all 24 miles. My mistake. Nonetheless, I'm still impressed by how much button-copy is still around.

To frame this another way, the first time I saw a non-button-copy Interstate shield posted in California, it was a series of signs added along California SR 94 when Caltrans added MLK Freeway  to the text in 1999. As a result, the very first reflective Interstate sign (on a large green guide sign) in California that I ever saw was for Interstate 805 at the onramps from Home Avenue to I-805 and SR 94 in San Diego. Some other very early reflective green signage appeared in California along SR 99 in Fresno and US 101 in San Francisco. Of course many more have appeared since them, with exit numbers added to these signs in 2002. This also explains why exit numbers aren't on the overhead green guide signs installed between 1999 and 2002. The last known button copy overhead signs I've ever seen were on I-8 at Qualcomm Way in San Diego and on the Livingston bypass on SR 99 in the Central Valley.

[hbelkins]

These were still present in Atlanta in 2008:





I've seen them on guide signs in Massachusetts and Ohio.

[PurdueBill]

Even into the mid-2000s Ohio would retrofit new button-copy I-shields onto old signs where one fell off.  I recall a sign on I-77 south of I-271 where a shield for I-271 fell off a sign and they replaced it with a fresh new button copy I-271 button copy shield.  I was impressed.

Massachusetts indeed used button copy I-sheids into the 2000s on otherwise reflective signs; it was interesting that MassHighway signage from the 90s to early 2000s was reflective copy EXCEPT for the numerals inside I-shields while the 90s signs from 128 to the Pru on the Mass Pike were the exact opposite--button copy EXCEPT for the numerals inside shields.

It is unfortunately getting rarer and rarer in Ohio to see button copy numerals in I-shields.  There has been a TON of replacement lately, mostly with Clearview but fortunately not inside shields, but no button copy anywhere including inside shields.  The only button copy to appear has been random appearances on blue service signs here and there, so they must have a small reserve of it.

[roadman]

All the mid-1990s era guide signs installed on the Mass Pike were supposed to be button copy legend on Type III background.  However, after the contractor started fabricating signs, they were directed to change the background sheeting from 3M Type III to Stimpsonite Type IV - the story goes is this change was mandated by then-Turnpike Chairman Jim Kerasiotes as one of his cost-savings measures.

Because Type IV sheeting is a prismatic sheeting, the sign backgrounds totally washed out the legends on those signs that were fabricated with button copy on Type IV background.  Once the problem was recognized, the specifications were changed again to require Type IV legends on Type IV background.

The signing on the Extension was fabricated to the original specifications, so it didn't have the severe wash-out problems that later signs did.  Plus, the Extension has median lighting, which helped with sign visibility as well.

As for the Interstate shields in Massachusetts, using button copy numerals was always unique to MassDPW/MassHighway.  Mass Turnpike Authority (and later, Metropolitan Highway System) never had that requirement for their signs, which is why such shields never appeared on either the Mass. Pike or the Big Dig project.

[PurdueBill]

Indeed as I recall, the requirement for the numerals in the DPW/MassHighway I-shields was simply "demountable" and somehow that became always button copy.  Not that I ever complained. 

It is interesting that while the rest of the state hadn't seen widespread button copy signage in ages, the Turnpike was going to use it exclusively and only changed because of the background washout.  Interesting quirk--wonder how much of it is just to do the opposite of the other.

[roadman]

From Subsection 828.43 of the 1988 MassDPW Standard Specifications for Highways and Bridges:

D.  Individual Interstate Route Markers on Overhead Signs shall have Type B Permanently Applied Legends

Legend Type B, as defined in the 1988 specifications, is:

Reflective letters, numerals, symbols, and borders shall consist of embossed aluminum frames fitted with circular plastic prismatic reflex-reflectors

In other words, button copy.

[PHLBOS]

As for the Interstate shields in Massachusetts, using button copy numerals was always unique to MassDPW/MassHighway.  Mass Turnpike Authority (and later, Metropolitan Highway System) never had that requirement for their signs, which is why such shields never appeared on either the Mass. Pike or the Big Dig project.

One exception, scroll down.  Although both BGS' are clearly in MA; such looks like it could pass for ConnDOT spec'd BGS'.

Note: these BGS' were still there as of last November.

Reflective letters, numerals, symbols, and borders shall consist of embossed aluminum frames fitted with circular plastic prismatic reflex-reflectors

In other words, button copy.

It's worth noting that not all I-shields that had button-copy numerals had button-copy borders as well. 

Prior to the recent BGS replacements along I-95 (MA 128); there was literally a mish-mash of I-shields that were either button-copy numerals only (those were kind of ugly IMHO) and others that had both button-copy shield borders and numerals (which looked great).

[roadman]

Had forgotten about the westbound signs at Exit 6 on the MassPike - I've heard that those signs, which were replaced as part of a bridge re-decking project, were actually fabricated by a Connecticut firm.

And you are also correct that some overhead I-shields had both button copy legend and borders, while others only had the legend.  Guess that's what happens when you have different fabricators involved in making signs.

I can also recall at least one instance (I-93 northbound in Wilmington) where a ground-mounted distance sign had an I-shield with button copy legend and border, but used reflective sheeting for the other legends and background.

[PurdueBill]

From Subsection 828.43 of the 1988 MassDPW Standard Specifications for Highways and Bridges:

D.  Individual Interstate Route Markers on Overhead Signs shall have Type B Permanently Applied Legends

Legend Type B, as defined in the 1988 specifications, is:

Reflective letters, numerals, symbols, and borders shall consist of embossed aluminum frames fitted with circular plastic prismatic reflex-reflectors

In other words, button copy.

Neat--the vague description I had only ever gotten to see before was "demountable" which could have in theory been demountable reflective copy but indeed they specified button copy.  How oddball--in a good way.

[DrSmith]

There are still some button copy interstate shields on BGS in CT on the button copy signs. However there has been some replacements with new non-button copy shields (just the shields not the whole signs) at least in the Hartford County area mainly due to the blue backgrounds fading it seemed, but some of the old button copy interstate shields still exist.

[machias]

Had forgotten about the westbound signs at Exit 6 on the MassPike - I've heard that those signs, which were replaced as part of a bridge re-decking project, were actually fabricated by a Connecticut firm.

And you are also correct that some overhead I-shields had both button copy legend and borders, while others only had the legend.  Guess that's what happens when you have different fabricators involved in making signs.

I can also recall at least one instance (I-93 northbound in Wilmington) where a ground-mounted distance sign had an I-shield with button copy legend and border, but used reflective sheeting for the other legends and background.

The Exit 5 and Exit 6 WB signs on the Mass Pike were put up in 1990. I remember them going when I lived in Boston and being quite thrilled that they were different than the other Mass Pike signs.

[roadman]

There are still some button copy interstate shields on BGS in CT on the button copy signs. However there has been some replacements with new non-button copy shields (just the shields not the whole signs) at least in the Hartford County area mainly due to the blue backgrounds fading it seemed, but some of the old button copy interstate shields still exist.

About 2008, the button copy shields on the 1992-vintage overhead signs along I-93 between Somerville and the NH line were changed out with new silk-screened shields at the direction of the District 4 office in Arlington.  Rumor is that some politician who traveled the road daily didn't like the fact that the red portion of the shields was completely faded, even though the blue portion was still in good shape and the numerals were completely legible.

[agentsteel53]

Probably.  I know that signs at the north end of the CA-85 extension, that opened in 1994, had button-copy I-280 shields.

given that I've never seen a sign in California that came out of the factory with button copy text and retroreflective shields, as is done in many other states ... I'd say CA held out 'til the very end.

also - 1994?  there are still porcelain signs at the 85/101 northern junction, as of a few days ago.  I had thought that interchange was 60s vintage.

[myosh_tino]

Probably.  I know that signs at the north end of the CA-85 extension, that opened in 1994, had button-copy I-280 shields.

given that I've never seen a sign in California that came out of the factory with button copy text and retroreflective shields, as is done in many other states ... I'd say CA held out 'til the very end.

also - 1994?  there are still porcelain signs at the 85/101 northern junction, as of a few days ago.  I had thought that interchange was 60s vintage.

When I said "the north end of the CA-85 extension" I meant the stretch of freeway from Stevens Creek Blvd in Cupertino to US 101 in south San Jose.  North of Stevens Creek Blvd, CA-85 is most certainly 60s and 70s vintage.

[vtk]

While button copy made its death in 2000 with Arizona being the last holdover

The last state to stop posting button copy was Ohio. They actually bought the rest of Arizona's supply when Arizona stopped posting it.

Agree. Ohio was posting it until the mid-2000s in places. The section of I-670 between I-70 and US 23 has some, much of which dates to 2003.

I-670 between I-70 and OH 315 opened in 2002 with all button copy signage. That includes I shields with button copy borders and numbers.

I-670 between OH 315 and roughly Cleveland Ave (OH 3) reopened in 2003, with all reflective sheeting signage.

2002/2003 seems to have been the transition point in central Ohio, not just with I-670.  An exception stands out in my mind because it was the first non button copy freeway sign I saw in Columbus: one of those "trooper John Q Suchandsuch memorial highway" where an officer got hit by a car while doing his job on the side of the freeway near Grove City; that was posted in 2002.