I-93 Somerville to Methuen Changeable Message Signs Finally Active

[roadman]

Well, at least one of them is.  Coming back from visiting family in Andover tonight, I noticed the new overhead CMS panel on I-93 southbound at Route 129 in Wilmington was activated.  Had a simple two frame message reading "I-90 Pru Tunnel Restrictions/This Weekend."

I have to say that I wasn't terribly impressed with the quality of the display (the board was made by Skyline).  While the message was bright and legible, the characters didn't seem to be as "crisp" to my eyes as with other MassDOT boards (mostly ADDCO and Daktronics).

[SidS1045]

Well, at least one of them is.  Coming back from visiting family in Andover tonight, I noticed the new overhead CMS panel on I-93 southbound at Route 129 in Wilmington was activated.  Had a simple two frame message reading "I-90 Pru Tunnel Restrictions/This Weekend."

The one just before the beginning of the southbound HOV lane at the Medford/Somerville line carried the same message.  Strange that the one near the Park Street exit in Stoneham was dark (between the two previously mentioned).

[hotdogPi]

I'm also surprised it says I-90 and not Mass Pike. I seem to remember that there is room for Mass Pike to be on there.

(Note: I would rather have them continue saying I-90, but normally variable message signs use local terms.)

[roadman]

I'm also surprised it says I-90 and not Mass Pike. I seem to remember that there is room for Mass Pike to be on there.

(Note: I would rather have them continue saying I-90, but normally variable message signs use local terms.)

Yes indeed, there is room to spell "Mass Pike" on a single line.  MassDOT permanent overhead boards are designed to accept fifteen 18 inch high characters per each of three lines at normal spacing.

And using "I-90" instead of "Mass Pike" is also a recent change.  I've also noted the State Police now refer to "Route 90" on relevant tweets.  Which is kind of interesting -Although "Route 90" is one character longer than is the same length as "MassPike", it's not even accurate ("I-90" is the proper term), and I'm sure it's more confusing to people (at least initially).

[hotdogPi]

"Route 90" and "MassPike" are both 8 characters.

[agentsteel53]

why not just use "PIKE" for conciseness?  everyone knows we're not talking about the Dallas-Fort Worth.

[roadman]

"Route 90" and "MassPike" are both 8 characters.

You are correct sir, thanks.  I've revised my original post accordingly.

[spooky]

And using "I-90" instead of "Mass Pike" is also a recent change.  I've also noted the State Police now refer to "Route 90" on relevant tweets.  Which is kind of interesting -Although "Route 90" is one character longer than is the same length as "MassPike", it's not even accurate ("I-90" is the proper term), and I'm sure it's more confusing to people (at least initially).

Fits the local practice of using "route" interchangeably to describe any numbered route, although that is less common for interstates than it is for US routes.

[Pete from Boston]

I think the most recognizable term — which is really their mandate to use — would be Mass Pike. However, MassDOT seems to use the same VMS legends systemwide, so I think it errs in favor of the smaller VMS signs scattered along the roadsides.

[PHLBOS]

One has to wonder if the reasoning behind using ROUTE 90 instead of MASSPIKE on those VMS' is due to the highway now being run by MassDOT (tolls & all) vs. a separate authority.  MassDOT tends to call out route numbers rather than highway or street names.

[SidS1045]

One has to wonder if the reasoning behind using ROUTE 90 instead of MASSPIKE on those VMS' is due to the highway now being run by MassDOT (tolls & all) vs. a separate authority.  MassDOT tends to call out route numbers rather than highway or street names.

I also STR reading somewhere (perhaps here?) that MassDOT was going to begin a phase-out of the "MassPike" naming (along with its non-abbreviated version) and simply call the road I-90 Toll.  Don't know what happened to that proposal, but if true, it might run up against the same resistance from the locals as the attempt to drop the "128" moniker from the Yankee Division Highway.

[hotdogPi]

One has to wonder if the reasoning behind using ROUTE 90 instead of MASSPIKE on those VMS' is due to the highway now being run by MassDOT (tolls & all) vs. a separate authority.  MassDOT tends to call out route numbers rather than highway or street names.

I also STR reading somewhere (perhaps here?) that MassDOT was going to begin a phase-out of the "MassPike" naming (along with its non-abbreviated version) and simply call the road I-90 Toll.  Don't know what happened to that proposal, but if true, it might run up against the same resistance from the locals as the attempt to drop the "128" moniker from the Yankee Division Highway.

Similar to I-95 in Connecticut?

[Alps]

One has to wonder if the reasoning behind using ROUTE 90 instead of MASSPIKE on those VMS' is due to the highway now being run by MassDOT (tolls & all) vs. a separate authority.  MassDOT tends to call out route numbers rather than highway or street names.

I also STR reading somewhere (perhaps here?) that MassDOT was going to begin a phase-out of the "MassPike" naming (along with its non-abbreviated version) and simply call the road I-90 Toll.  Don't know what happened to that proposal, but if true, it might run up against the same resistance from the locals as the attempt to drop the "128" moniker from the Yankee Division Highway.

No one calls it I-90.

[Pete from Boston]

One has to wonder if the reasoning behind using ROUTE 90 instead of MASSPIKE on those VMS' is due to the highway now being run by MassDOT (tolls & all) vs. a separate authority.  MassDOT tends to call out route numbers rather than highway or street names.

I also STR reading somewhere (perhaps here?) that MassDOT was going to begin a phase-out of the "MassPike" naming (along with its non-abbreviated version) and simply call the road I-90 Toll.  Don't know what happened to that proposal, but if true, it might run up against the same resistance from the locals as the attempt to drop the "128" moniker from the Yankee Division Highway.

More language reform from engineering departments?  Wonderful. 

In the 90s it was fashionable in state government to use compound names using "Mass" at the beginning, and Mass Pike became MASSPIKE, which always read like the second syllable was "spike."  As long as they stop that nonsense, it's fine.

[southshore720]

One has to wonder if the reasoning behind using ROUTE 90 instead of MASSPIKE on those VMS' is due to the highway now being run by MassDOT (tolls & all) vs. a separate authority.  MassDOT tends to call out route numbers rather than highway or street names.

I also STR reading somewhere (perhaps here?) that MassDOT was going to begin a phase-out of the "MassPike" naming (along with its non-abbreviated version) and simply call the road I-90 Toll.  Don't know what happened to that proposal, but if true, it might run up against the same resistance from the locals as the attempt to drop the "128" moniker from the Yankee Division Highway.

New signage (esp. on the I-95 signage replacement project) does have I-90 TOLL coupled with the Mass Pike pilgrim hat shield instead of "Mass Pike" spelled out.

[SidS1045]

In the 90s it was fashionable in state government to use compound names using "Mass" at the beginning, and Mass Pike became MASSPIKE, which always read like the second syllable was "spike."  As long as they stop that nonsense, it's fine.

In the 90's?  How young are you, anyhow?  Trailblazers with the pilgrim hat, Indian arrow and the words MASS PIKE went up around the state when the road opened in 1956.

[Pete from Boston]

In the 90s it was fashionable in state government to use compound names using "Mass" at the beginning, and Mass Pike became MASSPIKE, which always read like the second syllable was "spike."  As long as they stop that nonsense, it's fine.

In the 90's?  How young are you, anyhow?  Trailblazers with the pilgrim hat, Indian arrow and the words MASS PIKE went up around the state when the road opened in 1956.

Read carefully, my friend.  I am talking about the propensity to unify words into one because that makes them, you know, more catchy.

"Mass Pike," case and spacing exactly as I've typed it, was replaced in many places (signs and elsewhere) by "MASSPIKE," all one word, all caps.  As I've said, they seem to have backed off from this silliness. 

[SidS1045]

I am talking about the propensity to unify words into one because that makes them, you know, more catchy.

"Mass Pike," case and spacing exactly as I've typed it, was replaced in many places (signs and elsewhere) by "MASSPIKE," all one word, all caps.  As I've said, they seem to have backed off from this silliness.

And where exactly do you think that came from?  How much of a distance is there from MASS PIKE to MASSPIKE?  Use your head.

[Pete from Boston]

I am talking about the propensity to unify words into one because that makes them, you know, more catchy.

"Mass Pike," case and spacing exactly as I've typed it, was replaced in many places (signs and elsewhere) by "MASSPIKE," all one word, all caps.  As I've said, they seem to have backed off from this silliness.

And where exactly do you think that came from?  How much of a distance is there from MASS PIKE to MASSPIKE?  Use your head.

There was never a question of where it came from.  In BGS use, there was a shift from "Mass Pike" to "MASSPIKE," and to me it looked silly.  What's the problem, exactly?

[Pete from Boston]

Speaking of traffic information in this corridor, when is the 1700 AM traffic info radio supposed to go on?  When signs were replaced north of Boston, tarped-over blue signs went up here and there (just north and south of 128/95, particularly) announcing it, but they're still tarped over.

[PHLBOS]

Personally, I think the Pike or Mass Pike phrase/moniker will linger around despite of what's listed on the signs as long as tolls are still being collected for the road.

Had the tolls along the original poriton of the Pike (NY state line to Weston) came down during the mid-80s, following the original bond being paid off; the fore-mentioned Pike moniker would've likely worn off by now; unless of course, MA pulled a Connecticut and renames the road as the "*insert famous person/sports figure/politician of choice here*" Pike or Turnpike.  The latter would certainly help keep the Pike name alive long after any toll booths/gantries get taken down (fat chance on that happening though). 

The street name for the CT Turnpike was renamed the Gov. John Davis Lodge Turnpike shortly after the tolls were taken down.

[SidS1045]

Personally, I think the Pike or Mass Pike phrase/moniker will linger around despite of what's listed on the signs as long as tolls are still being collected for the road.

No amount of re-signing, after all, has broken the "128" habit between Canton and Braintree, and it should be clear by now that MassDOT intends to collect tolls on the Pike in perpetuity.

[PHLBOS]

it should be clear by now that MassDOT intends to collect tolls on the Pike in perpetuity.

Sad but true.  That's the door prize for electing (& re-electing) Patrick and keeping the legislative branch all under one-party rule.  Sorry to get political but it is the truth here.

[roadman]

Passed the CMS at route 129 again earlier today.  They have an expanded message regarding the Pru Tunnel restrictions.  What caught my attention was that the split in frames for the message "I-90/PRU TUNNEL LANE  CLOSURES THIS WEEKEND"  had LANE at the bottom of the first frame, and CLOSURES at the top of the second.

I know the current MUTCD seriously frowns upon freeway CMSes conveying three-frame messages, but IMO it would make far more sense to use a three-frame message here.  Something like:

(frame 1)  I-90/MASSPIKE  PRU  TUNNEL
(frame 2)  LANE  CLOSURES
(frame 3)  THIS   WEEKEND
               

[hotdogPi]

Passed the CMS at route 129 again earlier today.  They have an expanded message regarding the Pru Tunnel restrictions.  What caught my attention was that the split in frames for the message "I-90/PRU TUNNEL LANE  CLOSURES THIS WEEKEND"  had LANE at the bottom of the first frame, and CLOSURES at the top of the second.

I know the current MUTCD seriously frowns upon freeway CMSes conveying three-frame messages, but IMO it would make far more sense to use a three-frame message here.  Something like:

(frame 1)  I-90/MASSPIKE  PRU  TUNNEL
(frame 2)  LANE  CLOSURES
(frame 3)  THIS   WEEKEND
             

"LANE CLOSURES THIS WEEKEND" would fit on a single frame.