Unique, Odd, or Interesting Signs aka The good, the bad, and the ugly

[hbelkins]

North Carolina prefers to align signs evenly at the bottom, instead of evenly at the top or centering them. Why, I have no idea.

[roadman65]

North Carolina prefers to align signs evenly at the bottom, instead of evenly at the top or centering them. Why, I have no idea.

Just like Kentucky having a tunnel visor for yellow signals, but cutouts for both red and green. 

My guess is maybe by aligning at the bottom the worse possible scenario for an overheight truck hitting the structure is damaging the panels, but not the gantry.

[74/171FAN]

At the Econo Lodge on US 11 in Glade Spring, VA (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221127976309536&set=a.10221128033910976)



On Riverside Dr in St. Paul, VA (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221127878707096&set=a.10221128033910976)

[roadfro]

Ah, screw it.  I'll put this one here, too.  I think someone may have brought this one up before (vdeane?).  Two county routes from two different counties on one BGS (Taconic State Parkway, Dutchess and Columbia):

Also interesting that this is a very tall post-mounted sign...almost overhead height mounting.

[74/171FAN]

On US 58 ALT WB at SR 893 east of Coeburn, VA (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221128021790673&set=a.10221128033910976)

[roadman65]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/54024019704
I think using upper case to denote that DOWNTOWN is not a separate control city and part of Raleigh ( in mixed case) is a great idea.

Does the latest MUTCD entry allow this? Or is that the road agency has to unofficially break a rule that they can't get in trouble being the Manual is not law.

[vdeane]

On US 58 ALT WB at SR 893 east of Coeburn, VA (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221128021790673&set=a.10221128033910976)

Is there a reentry that can't be bypassed?

[Rothman]

On US 58 ALT WB at SR 893 east of Coeburn, VA (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221128021790673&set=a.10221128033910976)

Is there a reentry that can't be bypassed?

You can't re-enter to bypass whatever it is that needs bypassing.

[74/171FAN]

Basically, if you exit onto SR 893, you cannot reenter US 58 ALT WB until VA 158 on the east side of Coeburn.  There is also no access to US 58 ALT WB from SR 893 heading east from VA 158 as indicated on the below sign.  (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221127925068255&set=a.10221128033910976)



Anyway onto US 23 BUS SB leaving Norton, VA.  (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221127900467640&set=a.10221128033910976)

[roadman65]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/54023919698

Interesting using Exit numbers instead of Next X Exits.  However, in this case being Exit 289 ( between 2 of the said interchanges) is for Wade Avenue not directly serving Cary, it's a great way to convey the multiple ramps.  With the standard next exits guide you can't do that.

Interesting they signed it this way.

[roadman65]

Very interesting sign entering Luis Munoz Marin Airport in San Juan, PR.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/oBevCRaL5AFifadBA

It is in Spanish ( of course) but the sign is cute and even if you don't know Espanol you can still figure out its meaning that is speed controlled by radar.  Velociad is velocity and the rest is real easy to see.

[roadfro]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/54024019704
I think using upper case to denote that DOWNTOWN is not a separate control city and part of Raleigh ( in mixed case) is a great idea.

Does the latest MUTCD entry allow this? Or is that the road agency has to unofficially break a rule that they can't get in trouble being the Manual is not law.

This is not a MUTCD-permitted practice. Any destination legend is supposed to use mixed-case lettering.

[74/171FAN]

On NC 212 EB east of NC 208 (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221133479367109&set=a.10221133689212355)

[wanderer2575]

North Carolina prefers to align signs evenly at the bottom, instead of evenly at the top or centering them. Why, I have no idea.

Michigan used to be really good at this.  I think it makes the arrangement of signs look neat and orderly, and also easier to read (similarly-related information such as distance and lane designation is at the same level).  But Michigan has gotten away from this, especially with the more recent use of triangular gantries.  A lot of newer signs look like they were just thrown against the gantry and fastened where they stuck, and they require a lot more eye movement to read.

[thenetwork]

North Carolina prefers to align signs evenly at the bottom, instead of evenly at the top or centering them. Why, I have no idea.

Michigan used to be really good at this.  I think it makes the arrangement of signs look neat and orderly, and also easier to read (similarly-related information such as distance and lane designation is at the same level).  But Michigan has gotten away from this, especially with the more recent use of triangular gantries.  A lot of newer signs look like they were just thrown against the gantry and fastened where they stuck, and they require a lot more eye movement to read.

Michigan seems to replace overhead far more gantries more often than other states, as if they only have a +/- 20-year lifespan.  For most other states I've been to, if they haven't had a significant highway rebuild, many of those state's gantries can be 50+ years old with no problem.

[74/171FAN]

On TN 333 SB in Friendsville (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221133500047626&set=a.10221133689212355)







Now for US 129 Truck Restriction Signage in Maryville, TN (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221133443046201&set=a.10221133689212355)



(https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221133486927298&set=a.10221133689212355)



(https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221133506367784&set=a.10221133689212355)



On TN 95 NB in Greenback (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221133527888322&set=a.10221133689212355)

[ClassicHasClass]

Some places Caltrans is really aggressive about sign replacement. Then there are these places (both CA 60-CA 57 interchanges):

https://maps.app.goo.gl/7RWtD8UZbnjXKRat7
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bqKJzB2Rgjbu9qmb6 (complete with coming-off CA 57 coverplate)

[roadman65]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/54032249162

Interesting way the exit numbers are displayed on this guide.

[crispy93]

The town of Yorktown, NY installed these "stop ahead" signs as a strange way to say "stop here." There is an identical one on another approach to this intersection.

A painted line would suffice, or even nothing at all.

[crispy93]

Ah, screw it.  I'll put this one here, too.  I think someone may have brought this one up before (vdeane?).  Two county routes from two different counties on one BGS (Taconic State Parkway, Dutchess and Columbia):

Also interesting that this is a very tall post-mounted sign...almost overhead height mounting.

There's another tall one for Exit 35 northbound: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Bo9CFVp7FPSVY7B26

[PColumbus73]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/54024019704
I think using upper case to denote that DOWNTOWN is not a separate control city and part of Raleigh ( in mixed case) is a great idea.

Does the latest MUTCD entry allow this? Or is that the road agency has to unofficially break a rule that they can't get in trouble being the Manual is not law.

Michigan does this, too.

[74/171FAN]

On I-40 WB approaching US 70S on the west side of Nashville, TN (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221157936018510&set=a.10221158031980909)



On the I-40 WB offramp to TN 249 in Kingston Springs (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221157844016210&set=a.10221158031980909)



On US 70S EB approaching I-40 at the same spot (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221157959339093&set=a.10221158031980909)

[mglass87]

"Solar Staging Area":
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UFXVFkey3obKQxZ49

"Support a local charity instead":
https://maps.app.goo.gl/E63AoLf4ARthtiTE8

This road closed sign in Richmond:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7AfPxkFwiVbHRspy5

[LilianaUwU]

"Support a local charity instead":
https://maps.app.goo.gl/E63AoLf4ARthtiTE8

One of the stupidest signs ever.

[hbelkins]

"Support a local charity instead":
https://maps.app.goo.gl/E63AoLf4ARthtiTE8

One of the stupidest signs ever.

Why? If it helps eliminate the problems of panhandling in general, and panhandling in the right of way (two separate problems, if you ask me), then more power to Henrico County, Va.