Falls Church, Virginia

Started by cpzilliacus, March 11, 2013, 02:19:21 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

cpzilliacus

The city of Falls Church is a pretty small place amid the large chunk of the Commonwealth of Virginia known  as Northern Virginia, at about 2 square miles (just over 5 km**2), with a population of just over 12,000.  Like all cities in Virginia, it is entirely independent of the two counties that border it (Arlington and Fairfax). 

There are three Virginia primary system highways that cross or enter Falls Church are: U.S. 29 (known as Washington Street in the city); Va. 7 (Broad Street); and Va. 338 (Hillwood Avenue). 

Va. 338 is entirely almost unsigned in the city (I have checked it three times looking for an elusive cutout which seems to have gone away is still there hiding in plain sight), though it appears in the VDOT traffic count book as running between U.S. 29 and Va. 7 and there is one route number shield marking it, where it branches off from Va. 7 westbound, just outside the city limits in the Seven Corners area of Fairfax County. 

Falls Church has been discussed in this forum recently, for it may be the last remaining place inside the Capital Beltway where cutouts can be found.

Some of the images below are repeats of what I shared in the Best of Road Signs thread in the Traffic Control forum.  I also repeat a warning from that thread.

Warning to all - the Falls Church municipal police do enforce the (low) speed limits in their small city!  Especially on Va. 7 (Broad Street) and U.S. 29 (Washington Street).

The images:

The first three are repeated from the  "Best of" thread.







The only Va. 338 shield to be found anywhere with the exception of the one at the other end of the road (see below).



The first intersection on Va. 338 inside the corporate limits of Falls Church.  That should read U.S. 50.



The white-on-blue sign blades are installed by Fairfax County on the northbound side of U.S. 29, which the county knows as Lee Highway (U.S. 29 effectively runs east and west here, so the northbound side of 29 is also on its south side).  Somebody with the county must have missed the memo, for this one uses the city's name.



The white-on-green blades are installed by Falls Church on the southbound (north) side of U.S. 29, which the city calls Washington Street.



This is what things should look like:





Wonder if there is such a thing as the permit mentioned on this sign?  Looks like a variant on the "NO THRU TRAFFIC" sign to me.



If you get caught speeding in Falls Church, it will cost you an extra $200 (very nearly all of the city's streets are considered to be in a "residential district").



Another requirement for a "SPECIAL PERMIT."







I saved the best for last, if you made it this far.  I thought this second Va. 7 cutout was gone.  It's not.



EDIT: Thanks to Oscar and Hoo, the "missing" Va. 338 cutout is found (it was really never lost). 
Opinions expressed here on AAROADS are strictly personal and mine alone, and do not reflect policies or positions of MWCOG, NCRTPB or their member federal, state, county and municipal governments or any other agency.


1995hoo

Quote from: cpzilliacus on March 11, 2013, 02:19:21 AM
....

Falls Church has been discussed in this forum recently, for it may be the last remaining place inside the Capital Beltway where cutouts can be found.

....

I can confirm that there is at least one US-1 cutout inside the Beltway in the City of Alexandria just north of King Street, heading north, on the right-hand side of the road. I passed it this morning and noted its presence. Did not take a picture because I didn't want to mess with that in rush-hour traffic.

Nice pictures you got. The one I find odd is "Cut Through Traffic Prohibited." I know I've occasionally seen signs elsewhere that spell out the word "Through," but they're unusual enough to the point where it looks weird to see it spelled that way on a sign.
"You know, you never have a guaranteed spot until you have a spot guaranteed."
—Olaf Kolzig, as quoted in the Washington Times on March 28, 2003,
commenting on the Capitals clinching a playoff spot.

"That sounded stupid, didn't it?"
—Kolzig, to the same reporter a few seconds later.

cpzilliacus

#2
Quote from: 1995hoo on March 11, 2013, 10:14:54 AM
Quote from: cpzilliacus on March 11, 2013, 02:19:21 AM
....

Falls Church has been discussed in this forum recently, for it may be the last remaining place inside the Capital Beltway where cutouts can be found.

....

I can confirm that there is at least one US-1 cutout inside the Beltway in the City of Alexandria just north of King Street, heading north, on the right-hand side of the road. I passed it this morning and noted its presence. Did not take a picture because I didn't want to mess with that in rush-hour traffic.

I will have to look for that cutout the next time I am over that way.  And there's literal connection between Alexandria's King Street and Falls Church, since King Street is Va. 7 (though Alexandria is not so enthused about signing King Street as Va. 7).

Quote from: 1995hoo on March 11, 2013, 10:14:54 AM
Nice pictures you got.

Thanks. I do wonder how long those remaining cutouts will last in Falls Church.

I also wonder if VDOT were to notice the lack of signing on Va. 338, would they say something to Falls Church about it (since (as far as VDOT is concerned) Va. 338 still exists).

Quote from: 1995hoo on March 11, 2013, 10:14:54 AM
The one I find odd is "Cut Through Traffic Prohibited." I know I've occasionally seen signs elsewhere that spell out the word "Through," but they're unusual enough to the point where it looks weird to see it spelled that way on a sign.

It's on Va. 7 (Broad Street) westbound prior to the signal at U.S. 29 at an Applebee's (and near the second Va. 7 cutout on westbound 7) - it is possible to cut through the parking lot there to avoid the signal. 

Only other place I have seen "through" spelled-out was in the City of Gaithersburg, in Montgomery County, Md. which used to post at least some of its streets with signs reading "NO THROUGH TRUCKS."
Opinions expressed here on AAROADS are strictly personal and mine alone, and do not reflect policies or positions of MWCOG, NCRTPB or their member federal, state, county and municipal governments or any other agency.

1995hoo

Quote from: cpzilliacus on March 11, 2013, 12:26:33 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on March 11, 2013, 10:14:54 AM
The one I find odd is "Cut Through Traffic Prohibited." I know I've occasionally seen signs elsewhere that spell out the word "Through," but they're unusual enough to the point where it looks weird to see it spelled that way on a sign.

It's on Va. 7 (Broad Street) westbound prior to the signal at U.S. 29 at an Applebee's (and near the second Va. 7 cutout on westbound 7) - it is possible to cut through the parking lot there to avoid the signal. 

Only other place I have seen "through" spelled-out was in the City of Gaithersburg, in Montgomery County, Md. which used to post at least some of its streets with signs reading "NO THROUGH TRUCKS."

Ah, that suggests there's a good chance it's an "unofficial" sign, then (that is, one put up by a property owner and not by a government authority). I've seen a wide variety of such signs put up by business owners–probably 99% of them by gas station owners–stating that cutting through their property to avoid a red light is prohibited (which, of course, is state law in Virginia anyway). Very few of the signs bear much resemblance to each other.

I'd been meaning to get over to Falls Church to look for the "338" cutout, but I won't be in any hurry to do so in light of your expedition. I can picture that immediate area quite well because when I was a kid we patronized the bike shop that used to be on the corner of Hillwood Avenue and Washington Street (it was called Nachmann's).

The one I mentioned on US-1 is fairly easy to find. It's the portion called Patrick Street (one-way towards DC) and we were in the far right lane because that lane is HOV-2 during the morning rush hour (we were on there today because I drove Ms1995hoo to work in DC due to the Metrorail debacle). You pass Misha's Coffeehouse on the right, go through the light at King Street, and the cutout shield is on your right immediately after you pass the building on the corner. It's visible, with some distortion, in Google Street View.
"You know, you never have a guaranteed spot until you have a spot guaranteed."
—Olaf Kolzig, as quoted in the Washington Times on March 28, 2003,
commenting on the Capitals clinching a playoff spot.

"That sounded stupid, didn't it?"
—Kolzig, to the same reporter a few seconds later.

froggie

QuoteI can confirm that there is at least one US-1 cutout inside the Beltway in the City of Alexandria just north of King Street, heading north, on the right-hand side of the road.

Also one on the left-hand side just north of Duke St.  There is also what could arguably be called a "SR 648" cutout on the frontage road in the southeast corner of the 395/Edsall Rd interchange.

1995hoo

Quote from: froggie on March 11, 2013, 02:01:29 PM
QuoteI can confirm that there is at least one US-1 cutout inside the Beltway in the City of Alexandria just north of King Street, heading north, on the right-hand side of the road.

Also one on the left-hand side just north of Duke St.  There is also what could arguably be called a "SR 648" cutout on the frontage road in the southeast corner of the 395/Edsall Rd interchange.


Good point; I posted a photo of the 648 cutout in the "Best of Road Signs" thread a couple of weeks ago but inexplicably failed to think of it when I made my comment above.
"You know, you never have a guaranteed spot until you have a spot guaranteed."
—Olaf Kolzig, as quoted in the Washington Times on March 28, 2003,
commenting on the Capitals clinching a playoff spot.

"That sounded stupid, didn't it?"
—Kolzig, to the same reporter a few seconds later.

cpzilliacus

Quote from: 1995hoo on March 11, 2013, 01:09:06 PM
Quote from: cpzilliacus on March 11, 2013, 12:26:33 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on March 11, 2013, 10:14:54 AM
The one I find odd is "Cut Through Traffic Prohibited." I know I've occasionally seen signs elsewhere that spell out the word "Through," but they're unusual enough to the point where it looks weird to see it spelled that way on a sign.

It's on Va. 7 (Broad Street) westbound prior to the signal at U.S. 29 at an Applebee's (and near the second Va. 7 cutout on westbound 7) - it is possible to cut through the parking lot there to avoid the signal. 

Only other place I have seen "through" spelled-out was in the City of Gaithersburg, in Montgomery County, Md. which used to post at least some of its streets with signs reading "NO THROUGH TRUCKS."

Ah, that suggests there's a good chance it's an "unofficial" sign, then (that is, one put up by a property owner and not by a government authority). I've seen a wide variety of such signs put up by business owners–probably 99% of them by gas station owners–stating that cutting through their property to avoid a red light is prohibited (which, of course, is state law in Virginia anyway). Very few of the signs bear much resemblance to each other.

Though given how small Falls Church is, I would think that someone from  the city government (perhaps even one of its elected officials) would notice a "home-made" sign on the city's right-of-way and have it removed.  I know slightly (professionally) one of the members of the Falls Church City Council, and he's a pretty sharp guy who I suspect might take notice of such a sign.

Quote from: 1995hoo on March 11, 2013, 01:09:06 PM
I'd been meaning to get over to Falls Church to look for the "338" cutout, but I won't be in any hurry to do so in light of your expedition. I can picture that immediate area quite well because when I was a kid we patronized the bike shop that used to be on the corner of Hillwood Avenue and Washington Street (it was called Nachmann's).

I know where you are talking about.  I thoroughly pissed-off several of the locals (including a Falls Church cop) by cruising Va. 338 from end-to-end (starting from U.S. 29 in the west to Va. 7 in the  east), each time being careful to drive between 20 and 25 MPH looking for that cutout Va. 338 sign.

Quote from: 1995hoo on March 11, 2013, 01:09:06 PM
The one I mentioned on US-1 is fairly easy to find. It's the portion called Patrick Street (one-way towards DC) and we were in the far right lane because that lane is HOV-2 during the morning rush hour (we were on there today because I drove Ms1995hoo to work in DC due to the Metrorail debacle). You pass Misha's Coffeehouse on the right, go through the light at King Street, and the cutout shield is on your right immediately after you pass the building on the corner. It's visible, with some distortion, in Google Street View.

I know the U.S. 1 corridor pretty well - all the way from Stafford up to the 14th Street Bridge and then on to Baltimore.  Unlike those cutouts in Falls Church, this one might just "blend in" to the Alexandria street scene.
Opinions expressed here on AAROADS are strictly personal and mine alone, and do not reflect policies or positions of MWCOG, NCRTPB or their member federal, state, county and municipal governments or any other agency.

cpzilliacus

Quote from: froggie on March 11, 2013, 02:01:29 PM
QuoteI can confirm that there is at least one US-1 cutout inside the Beltway in the City of Alexandria just north of King Street, heading north, on the right-hand side of the road.

Also one on the left-hand side just north of Duke St.  There is also what could arguably be called a "SR 648" cutout on the frontage road in the southeast corner of the 395/Edsall Rd interchange.

That cutout on Va. 648 (Edsall Road) has been there for many years - I think since the early 1990's, maybe  before that.  Though (in my opinion) it's not a "real" cutout because it lacks a border.
Opinions expressed here on AAROADS are strictly personal and mine alone, and do not reflect policies or positions of MWCOG, NCRTPB or their member federal, state, county and municipal governments or any other agency.

Mapmikey

There are US and VA cutout shields without borders in Hillsville, Pearisburg, Bassett, and IIRC Blacksburg.

A different reason to disqualify the SR 648 cutout is that it is too big.  It is almost certainly a shield intended for a BGS.

Mapmikey

cpzilliacus

Quote from: Mapmikey on March 11, 2013, 08:10:39 PM
There are US and VA cutout shields without borders in Hillsville, Pearisburg, Bassett, and IIRC Blacksburg.

Last time I was in Leesburg, I think I remember seeing a few cutouts there from the days when Va. 7 (Market Street) and U.S. 15 (King Street) went through the town instead of bypassing it.  Those are officially  bannered BUSINESS routes now, though they might not all have been  marked that way.

Quote from: Mapmikey on March 11, 2013, 08:10:39 PM
A different reason to disqualify the SR 648 cutout is that it is too big.  It is almost certainly a shield intended for a BGS.

Mapmikey

I am not good enough with dimensions to speak to your first sentence.  But I agree with your second sentence - over the years, I have seen a few round ancient "white blank" secondary system shields (but none recently), which would qualify as "real" cutouts.
Opinions expressed here on AAROADS are strictly personal and mine alone, and do not reflect policies or positions of MWCOG, NCRTPB or their member federal, state, county and municipal governments or any other agency.

oscar

Quote from: cpzilliacus on March 11, 2013, 02:19:21 AM
Va. 338 is entirely unsigned in the city (I have checked it three times looking for an elusive cutout which seems to have gone away), though it appears in the VDOT traffic count book as running between U.S. 29 and Va. 7 and there is one route number shield marking it, where it branches off from Va. 7 westbound, just outside the city limits in the Seven Corners area of Fairfax County.

The 338 cutout within city limits is still there.  It's on eastbound Hillwood, just after it peels away from eastbound US 29, and west of the intersection with Annandale Road.  Bent up, and attached to a telephone pole, but it lives on.

I spotted it this morning, on a side trip inspired by this thread (much as I try to avoid Falls Church, since the entire city is a speed trap), after my return late yesterday from a cross-country road trip.  Mainly, I wanted to check on another old sign assembly, on westbound US 29 east of the VA 7 intersection, that included a VA 237 cutout.  Alas, that one is gone, apparently removed in favor of an "Arts in the Little City" banner we could've done without.
my Hot Springs and Highways pages, with links to my roads sites:
http://www.alaskaroads.com/home.html

cpzilliacus

Quote from: oscar on March 12, 2013, 11:21:15 AM
Quote from: cpzilliacus on March 11, 2013, 02:19:21 AM
Va. 338 is entirely unsigned in the city (I have checked it three times looking for an elusive cutout which seems to have gone away), though it appears in the VDOT traffic count book as running between U.S. 29 and Va. 7 and there is one route number shield marking it, where it branches off from Va. 7 westbound, just outside the city limits in the Seven Corners area of Fairfax County.

The 338 cutout within city limits is still there.  It's on eastbound Hillwood, just after it peels away from eastbound US 29, and west of the intersection with Annandale Road.  Bent up, and attached to a telephone pole, but it lives on.

Darn.  You must have better eyes than I.  I looked for it about 4 times, and could not find it (and I recall it being there many years ago, and presumed it had been moved east of that location).  I will look again the next time I am over there. 

Thanks for your detailed description of its location.   

Quote from: oscar on March 12, 2013, 11:21:15 AM
I spotted it this morning, on a side trip inspired by this thread (much as I try to avoid Falls Church, since the entire city is a speed trap), after my return late yesterday from a cross-country road trip.  Mainly, I wanted to check on another old sign assembly, on westbound US 29 east of the VA 7 intersection, that included a VA 237 cutout.  Alas, that one is gone, apparently removed in favor of an "Arts in the Little City" banner we could've done without.

Rhetorical question - is Falls Church still a speed trap if you know it's a speed trap?  <smile>

I think all of the Va. 237 cutouts within the corporate limits of Falls Church are gone.

I mentioned elsewhere that in ancient times there used to be some very classic (and huge) sign assemblies mounted on whitewashed timbers on U.S. 29/U.S. 211 at Va. 7 in the middle of Falls Church.  Va. 237 was included in the party.
Opinions expressed here on AAROADS are strictly personal and mine alone, and do not reflect policies or positions of MWCOG, NCRTPB or their member federal, state, county and municipal governments or any other agency.

1995hoo

I passed the 338 cutout about 45 minutes ago as I type this and I took this picture for you:

"You know, you never have a guaranteed spot until you have a spot guaranteed."
—Olaf Kolzig, as quoted in the Washington Times on March 28, 2003,
commenting on the Capitals clinching a playoff spot.

"That sounded stupid, didn't it?"
—Kolzig, to the same reporter a few seconds later.

cpzilliacus

#13
Quote from: 1995hoo on March 13, 2013, 01:35:50 PM
I passed the 338 cutout about 45 minutes ago as I type this and I took this picture for you:

Thanks!  I was actually by there (and found the darned thing this time with  Oscar's help) this morning, but have not Photoshopped the image yet.

This is probably the most ragged-looking cutout in Falls Church.  And the fonts used for 338 "look wrong" for a Virginia cutout.

Pretty remarkable that there is no advance sign for traffic approaching Va. 338 on northbound (eastbound) U.S. 29 at all.
Opinions expressed here on AAROADS are strictly personal and mine alone, and do not reflect policies or positions of MWCOG, NCRTPB or their member federal, state, county and municipal governments or any other agency.

1995hoo

My mind was wandering as I came up 29 and I failed to notice whether there was or was not a sign there. Guess I was too focused on making sure I got a picture of the cutout!
"You know, you never have a guaranteed spot until you have a spot guaranteed."
—Olaf Kolzig, as quoted in the Washington Times on March 28, 2003,
commenting on the Capitals clinching a playoff spot.

"That sounded stupid, didn't it?"
—Kolzig, to the same reporter a few seconds later.

cpzilliacus

Quote from: 1995hoo on March 13, 2013, 03:42:54 PM
My mind was wandering as I came up 29 and I failed to notice whether there was or was not a sign there. Guess I was too focused on making sure I got a picture of the cutout!

A sign that is that difficult to find is not doing much good.  But maybe that's the intent.

Opinions expressed here on AAROADS are strictly personal and mine alone, and do not reflect policies or positions of MWCOG, NCRTPB or their member federal, state, county and municipal governments or any other agency.

1995hoo

#16
Oh, don't get me wrong: I knew precisely where to find the sign and I didn't think it was difficult. I was just paying more attention to my driving than to the other signs because (a) I knew where I was going and, more importantly, (b) there was a fair amount of traffic and I was keeping my eyes peeled for a good place to stop. I didn't want to pull into the used car lot because I just didn't feel like explaining to the inevitable pushy salesman that I wasn't interested in a car and that I just wanted to take a picture of the cutout sign!


Quote from: cpzilliacus on March 11, 2013, 02:19:21 AM
....

EDIT: Thanks to Oscar and Hoo, the "missing" Va. 338 cutout is found (it was really never lost). 

Now I have this ridiculous mental image of an animated cutout sign sitting atop its signpole singing "Amazing Grace" ("I once was lost but now am found")–sort of like that singing fish in the McDonald's commercial from a few years back.
"You know, you never have a guaranteed spot until you have a spot guaranteed."
—Olaf Kolzig, as quoted in the Washington Times on March 28, 2003,
commenting on the Capitals clinching a playoff spot.

"That sounded stupid, didn't it?"
—Kolzig, to the same reporter a few seconds later.

cpzilliacus

#17
Quote from: 1995hoo on March 14, 2013, 01:48:40 PM
Oh, don't get me wrong: I knew precisely where to find the sign and I didn't think it was difficult. I was just paying more attention to my driving than to the other signs because (a) I knew where I was going and, more importantly, (b) there was a fair amount of traffic and I was keeping my eyes peeled for a good place to stop. I didn't want to pull into the used car lot because I just didn't feel like explaining to the inevitable pushy salesman that I wasn't interested in a car and that I just wanted to take a picture of the cutout sign!

What pissed me off (at myself) is I recall seeing this sign there a long time ago.  That I could not find it after all those passes by it annoyed me ever more.

I wonder if that's because I was (unconsciously) looking for a reassurance assembly that looks like one that the fine people at VDOT would have designed and installed?   And cutouts in Virginia go back to the days when VDH (not VDOT) installed most traffic control devices on  the primary highway network on whitewashed timbers (a very classy touch).

Even though I know that when it comes to signage, Falls Church might as well be someplace on Mars instead of a political subdivision of the Commonwealth (though it looks like every 25 MPH speed limit sign is perfectly MUTCD-compliant). 

Quote from: 1995hoo on March 14, 2013, 01:48:40 PM
Quote from: cpzilliacus on March 11, 2013, 02:19:21 AM
....

EDIT: Thanks to Oscar and Hoo, the "missing" Va. 338 cutout is found (it was really never lost). 

Now I have this ridiculous mental image of an animated cutout sign sitting atop its signpole singing "Amazing Grace" ("I once was lost but now am found")–sort of like that singing fish in the McDonald's commercial from a few years back.

+1
Opinions expressed here on AAROADS are strictly personal and mine alone, and do not reflect policies or positions of MWCOG, NCRTPB or their member federal, state, county and municipal governments or any other agency.

Mapmikey

Quote from: cpzilliacus on March 13, 2013, 03:14:51 PM
This is probably the most ragged-looking cutout in Falls Church.  And the fonts used for 338 "look wrong" for a Virginia cutout.


There have been a wide variety of fonts on cutouts in Virginia.

For a quick compilation, check out the thumb nails at http://www.gribblenation.com/vapics/cutouts/vas.html

The numbers have gotten (generally) fatter over the years.  Here are two cutouts - 353 is from early 70s and 345 is from late 50s or early 60s




Mapmikey

agentsteel53

cool old photos!  here's another skinny-font example to add to the discussion:



1957
live from sunny San Diego.

http://shields.aaroads.com

jake@aaroads.com

Alps

Quote from: cpzilliacus on March 13, 2013, 03:14:51 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on March 13, 2013, 01:35:50 PM
I passed the 338 cutout about 45 minutes ago as I type this and I took this picture for you:

Thanks!  I was actually by there (and found the darned thing this time with  Oscar's help) this morning, but have not Photoshopped the image yet.

This is probably the most ragged-looking cutout in Falls Church.  And the fonts used for 338 "look wrong" for a Virginia cutout.

Looking at my own version, I see two issues:
1) It looks "ragged" because someone put stickers on both sides of the sign, obscuring parts of the "3" and "8."
2) It has a thicker border than most cutouts, which IMO is why the digits look like they're crammed in and too bold.

cpzilliacus

Quote from: agentsteel53 on March 14, 2013, 03:32:08 PM
cool old photos!  here's another skinny-font example to add to the discussion:



1957

Alexandria, Virginia, I presume?

These numerals in this image are much less "bold" than that Va. 338 shield.
Opinions expressed here on AAROADS are strictly personal and mine alone, and do not reflect policies or positions of MWCOG, NCRTPB or their member federal, state, county and municipal governments or any other agency.

cpzilliacus

Quote from: Steve on March 14, 2013, 06:05:47 PM
Quote from: cpzilliacus on March 13, 2013, 03:14:51 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on March 13, 2013, 01:35:50 PM
I passed the 338 cutout about 45 minutes ago as I type this and I took this picture for you:

Thanks!  I was actually by there (and found the darned thing this time with  Oscar's help) this morning, but have not Photoshopped the image yet.

This is probably the most ragged-looking cutout in Falls Church.  And the fonts used for 338 "look wrong" for a Virginia cutout.

Looking at my own version, I see two issues:
1) It looks "ragged" because someone put stickers on both sides of the sign, obscuring parts of the "3" and "8."

Agreed.

Quote from: Steve on March 14, 2013, 06:05:47 PM
2) It has a thicker border than most cutouts, which IMO is why the digits look like they're crammed in and too bold.

The font used for the numerals are much more bold than a "normal" looking Virginia cutout shield.

Even the VDOT 338 shield above has a much more normal-looking font (and I concede that the VDOT shield is not a cutout).
Opinions expressed here on AAROADS are strictly personal and mine alone, and do not reflect policies or positions of MWCOG, NCRTPB or their member federal, state, county and municipal governments or any other agency.

Alps

Quote from: cpzilliacus on March 14, 2013, 10:45:56 PM
Quote from: Steve on March 14, 2013, 06:05:47 PM
Quote from: cpzilliacus on March 13, 2013, 03:14:51 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on March 13, 2013, 01:35:50 PM
I passed the 338 cutout about 45 minutes ago as I type this and I took this picture for you:

Thanks!  I was actually by there (and found the darned thing this time with  Oscar's help) this morning, but have not Photoshopped the image yet.

This is probably the most ragged-looking cutout in Falls Church.  And the fonts used for 338 "look wrong" for a Virginia cutout.

Looking at my own version, I see two issues:
1) It looks "ragged" because someone put stickers on both sides of the sign, obscuring parts of the "3" and "8."

Agreed.

Quote from: Steve on March 14, 2013, 06:05:47 PM
2) It has a thicker border than most cutouts, which IMO is why the digits look like they're crammed in and too bold.

The font used for the numerals are much more bold than a "normal" looking Virginia cutout shield.

Even the VDOT 338 shield above has a much more normal-looking font (and I concede that the VDOT shield is not a cutout).
It looks like pretty standard C to me. I think the old ones were B.

1995hoo

#24
Check out this find! It's Fairfax rather than Falls Church, but I didn't want to start a new thread for one photo. I believe the land where the gas station was located is the site that later housed a Best Products Co. store–I believe this is the corner of US-29, US-50, and VA-236. When I was in high school the term "Kamp Washington" referred to a small strip mall and trailer park located a short distance to the west at the corner of Jermantown Road and US-29 (Lee Highway)–a lot of us went to the DMV office there to get our driver's licenses because we knew their road test route was absurdly easy (drive through the trailer park).

"You know, you never have a guaranteed spot until you have a spot guaranteed."
—Olaf Kolzig, as quoted in the Washington Times on March 28, 2003,
commenting on the Capitals clinching a playoff spot.

"That sounded stupid, didn't it?"
—Kolzig, to the same reporter a few seconds later.



Opinions expressed here on belong solely to the poster and do not represent or reflect the opinions or beliefs of AARoads, its creators and/or associates.