US 101 Outline Shield

[stevenliu96]

On Hampshire Rd in Thousand Oaks, California, there are two outline US 101 shields mounted on the freeway bridge (US 101 travels on the bridge.) Both signs do not look like pre-1973 porcelain enamel signs but instead look like the signs from 1973-1999 with the integrated reflectors. I thought Caltrans stopped using outline US signs in the '50s / '60s. The bridge was built in 1966 and widened in 1973 based on the stamp on the columns of the bridge. Another note is that the reflectors in the arrows are not an outline but instead a simple arrow. I've seen those before, but they don't seem to be very common... I would post pictures, but I'm new to this site and I don't know how to post pictures yet...

[AndyMax25]

Here are some examples, which type are you seeing?

Old old school: https://www.aaroads.com/california/images101/us-101_nb_exit_066b_03.jpg

Old school 1: https://www.aaroads.com/california/images101/us-101_nb_exit_066a_03.jpg

Old school 2: https://www.aaroads.com/california/images100/us-101_sb_exit_044_03.jpg

New: https://www.aaroads.com/california/images101/us-101_nb_exit_063_04.jpg

[agentsteel53]

I know those shields.  here's a terrible photo:



that is a 1961-spec shield outline, painted white, and affixed directly to the green background.  the signs date to the late 90s.

[agentsteel53]

you forgot several variants of even older school; here is a 1957 spec:
www.aaroads.com/shields/show.php?image=CA19551012&search=101

Old old school: https://www.aaroads.com/california/images101/us-101_nb_exit_066b_03.jpg

1959-62.  one survives (Bypass 101 at Rengsdorff Ave. southbound in Mountain View)

Old school 1: https://www.aaroads.com/california/images101/us-101_nb_exit_066a_03.jpg

not old at all.  garish and weird.

Old school 2: https://www.aaroads.com/california/images100/us-101_sb_exit_044_03.jpg

1962-73.

New: https://www.aaroads.com/california/images101/us-101_nb_exit_063_04.jpg

2002.  no one knows why it is terrible like that.

[CentralCAroadgeek]

Here's the outline shield on 101 south at the Rengstorff exit along the Peninsula.

[nexus73]

If it is a 101 sign, I like it.  101 and my family go back to before there even was a 101.  Today I could toss a rock from my back door and have it land on 101.  I might throw out my shoulder though...LOL!

More 101 please!

Rick

[formulanone]

Don't forget the black-bordered US 101 shield at Kelly Road:

[Brandon]

Here's the outline shield on 101 south at the Rengstorff exit along the Peninsula.

Why the hell did CalTrans greenout the cardinal direction?

[agentsteel53]

Why the hell did CalTrans greenout the cardinal direction?

it's the word BY-PASS.

in 1964, the mainline of 101 was moved onto the bypass freeway, and the old 101 became CA-82.

[AndyMax25]

I know those shields.  here's a terrible photo:



that is a 1961-spec shield outline, painted white, and affixed directly to the green background.  the signs date to the late 90s.

My dad worked on the Hampshire Rd bridge project at the City of Thousand Oaks (he did the earthwork and drainage).  This is a City sign installed as part of the project.  Most likely, the City specs did not match those of the state and/or the contractor messed up.

[kurumi]

Why the hell did CalTrans greenout the cardinal direction?

it's the word BY-PASS.

in 1964, the mainline of 101 was moved onto the bypass freeway, and the old 101 became CA-82.

I almost hope the greenout falls off so I can grab a photo

[Scott5114]

Why the hell did CalTrans greenout the cardinal direction?

it's the word BY-PASS.

in 1964, the mainline of 101 was moved onto the bypass freeway, and the old 101 became CA-82.

I almost hope the greenout falls off so I can grab a photo

You may well get your wish–it sounds like it happens somewhat frequently out there (one time revealing a 66 shield of all things).

[CentralCAroadgeek]

Last weekend, I came across an outline 101 shield in Santa Maria. We passed it at night, so here's the Google Maps link (Just zoom in a tad but for the Street View). It's on 101 north approaching Santa Maria Way (Business 101).

EDIT: Here's a pic from the Gallery...

[TheStranger]

Why the hell did CalTrans greenout the cardinal direction?

it's the word BY-PASS.

in 1964, the mainline of 101 was moved onto the bypass freeway, and the old 101 became CA-82.

I almost hope the greenout falls off so I can grab a photo

You may well get your wish–it sounds like it happens somewhat frequently out there (one time revealing a 66 shield of all things).

About 4 or 5 years ago I recall greenout falling off on the MacArthur Freeway near Oakland, revealing an old US 50 outline shield next to the still-in-use I-580 shield.