US 52 in South Carolina

[jcn]

Has anyone notice how in recent years US 52 changed from being signed north-south to being signed east-west in South Carolina?  I understand that even numbered US Routes are generally signed east-west, but this change doesn't make sense as there some cases where westbound US 52 goes in an eastward direction and vice versa.

[WashuOtaku]

Has anyone notice how in recent years US 52 changed from being signed north-south to being signed east-west in South Carolina?  I understand that even numbered US Routes are generally signed east-west, but this change doesn't make sense as there some cases where westbound US 52 goes in an eastward direction and vice versa.

Well... east-west signs have existed on US 52 in South Carolina for some time now.  They are typically seen in the Charleston area but change to North-South further north.  US 52 is an example where SCDOT doesn't know WTF to do with it.

[Mapmikey]

There have been some US 52 E-W signs going back to at least the 1970s.  I think the N-S postings became prevalent in the 1980s and 1990s...

Mike
Charleston area resident 1974-91; 1993-95

[The Ghostbuster]

In my opinion, a road should be signed based on what direction it travels in. In he case of US 52, it probably should be north-south.

[usends]

US 52 changes signed directions several times between endpoints, perhaps more times than any other route:
http://usends.com/50-59/052/052.html

If you look at it on a map, you can see why it would be difficult to come up with a uniform direction for the entire route...
http://usends.com/mapguy/MapPgs/mapx52.htm
...unless you went with "NW" and "SE".

[wdcrft63]

We have a similar situation in North Carolina with US 421. It's signed consistently north-south, which makes reasonable sense between Wilmington and Greensboro but not between Greensboro and the Tennessee line.

[WashuOtaku]

We have a similar situation in North Carolina with US 421. It's signed consistently north-south, which makes reasonable sense between Wilmington and Greensboro but not between Greensboro and the Tennessee line.

That's not similar with US 52, which is changing between north-south and east-west.  US 421 is correctly signed north-south, it simply goes diagonal through the state, like I-85.  Regardless of opinion, directionals should be consistent as it would create confusion if you were going north then suddenly east on a highway number.

[andy3175]

US 52 changes signed directions several times between endpoints, perhaps more times than any other route:
http://usends.com/50-59/052/052.html

If you look at it on a map, you can see why it would be difficult to come up with a uniform direction for the entire route...
http://usends.com/mapguy/MapPgs/mapx52.htm
...unless you went with "NW" and "SE".

This map demonstrates just how long US 52 is when compared to US 33 and US 35. It does seem more logical to have US 52 signed north-south in South Carolina based on the general trajectory of US 52 in that state. Most of the westward progress indeed appears to be in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, in concurrence with your map and field signage you mentioned on your page.

[roadman65]

It is most awkward at the US 521 junction where you are west on US 52, and South US 521 is to the right of you, and North US 521 is to the left of you completely defying all logic.

Yes, US 52 should be N-S in SC as, I think it is in NC and VA, and I believe it was at one time as back in 2009 there was a "SOUTH US 52" shield left behind there when I drove through there.

[wdcrft63]

North 52 signed at the ramp off northbound I-85: https://goo.gl/maps/Zzatqn5zGas

[roadman65]

US 52 should be N-S south of the Ohio River and then E-W north of the river.  That would be most consistent as it would have one changeover point instead of this flip flop that SC currently created.