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

[Mapmikey]

"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.

Signs to that affect are relatively common in Virginia and North Carolina cities.

[74/171FAN]

On VA 43 SB in Buchanan, VA (https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10221203475436967&set=a.10221203538598546)

[ClassicHasClass]

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

Okay, so what's at that milemarker?

[74/171FAN]

On TN 96 WB at TN 99 WB in Murfreesboro (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221158437631050&set=a.10221158525753253)

[CoreySamson]

Clearview Texas highway shield:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2AZkineAmKH8N3JG9

[LilianaUwU]

Clearview Texas highway shield:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2AZkineAmKH8N3JG9

Considering it's right on the line, it may very well be an ODOT Special.

[74/171FAN]

On TN 62 WB at Bethel Valley Rd in Oak Ridge (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221182847881291&set=a.10221182971244375)



On I-40 EB east of Foothills Pkwy (all photos taken before Helene)  (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221189817375524&set=a.10221189960179094)



Now having entered NC (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221189835215970&set=a.10221189960179094)



(https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221189862376649&set=a.10221189960179094)

[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.

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.

On freeways, yes.  On surface routes, Michigan can leave cantilevers/gantries and their signs for decades.  When finally removed, they're often replaced with zero or inadequate post-mounted signage instead of a new structure.

[74/171FAN]

On the I-40 EB/US 74 EB concurrency heading east from Canton, NC (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221189842096142&set=a.10221189960179094)

[wanderer2575]

Clearview Texas highway shield:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2AZkineAmKH8N3JG9

From 2005 -- I think this has since been replaced.

[freebrickproductions]

Clearview Texas highway shield:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2AZkineAmKH8N3JG9

From 2005 -- I think this has since been replaced.

I believe I have a photo of this somewhere, but, admittedly, I don't feel like trying to find it. It ain't a stand-alone example like the others, as it's mounted on a BGS, but I believe this is the only Clearview shield in the state of Alabama:
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.665882,-86.7709903,3a,15y,348.33h,104.43t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sBUm7lSiOiA_mEXpBfj91ZA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTAwOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

[Rothman]

Snowmobile warnings at Ridgeview Lodge in Lowville, NY:



Trucks go around the roundabout to go right in Glens Falls, NY:



Fallen sign in Poland, NY.  No snowmobiles on the sidewalks!:



Danger Falling Ice in Poland, NY.  Not common, but various forms exist in places:



Finally, had to say something about these signs about NYSDOT project engineers being in the village.  Not sure if the projects are still ongoing and think it's a 50/50 wager on whether the signs just weren't taken down after projects were completed:

[roadman65]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/54064688168
I-95 is an Entrance not an Exit here.

[TheCatalyst31]

The Cimarron County, Oklahoma courthouse is in the middle of a traffic circle, and all of the signage for it is trying to do way too much. Common features include the construction date of the courthouse, superfluous One Way signs within the sign, and zero consistency on which highways are worth including on the signs. They also haven't been updated to reflect the US 287 bypass (yes, the same bypass that infamously elimitanted the truck trarffic.)

East side, with a bunch of tiny shields
North side
West side
South side

[Shedingtonian]

The Cimarron County, Oklahoma courthouse is in the middle of a traffic circle, and all of the signage for it is trying to do way too much. Common features include the construction date of the courthouse, superfluous One Way signs within the sign, and zero consistency on which highways are worth including on the signs. They also haven't been updated to reflect the US 287 bypass (yes, the same bypass that infamously elimitanted the truck trarffic.)

East side, with a bunch of tiny shields
North side
West side
South side

Those signs are so notorious that they were even featured in American Truck Simulator!

[hotdogPi]

An emoticon on a road sign.

For context, this is approaching a one-lane bridge where drivers have to take turns.



https://www.google.com/maps/@42.6182599,-71.1712941,3a,75y,62.15h,83.97t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sC0KbdRc7ycTElt7A7m7cQw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D6.033513361163443%26panoid%3DC0KbdRc7ycTElt7A7m7cQw%26yaw%3D62.145858402949855!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205410&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTAwOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D (Google Maps doesn't show the emoticon sign)

[TBKS1]

New sign installed not that far from my house, kinda interesting I think.

[Big John]

^^ Besides for the up arrow, that is MUTCD standard.

[74/171FAN]

On US 311 NB at Main St in Walkertown, NC. (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221203355193961&set=a.10221203415115459)

[roadman65]

This here with four down arrows, but three lanes.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/54069689749

[Rothman]

This here with four down arrows, but three lanes.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/54069689749

Not that uncommon.

[pderocco]

This here with four down arrows, but three lanes.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/54069689749

That's about the only way, with two sign panels, to indicate that the middle lane serves both branches. The two arrows in the corners are right next to each other, so they point to the same lane.

[vdeane]

This here with four down arrows, but three lanes.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/54069689749

Used to happen everywhere.  It's the reason arrow per lane signs were invented.

[74/171FAN]

On US 220 NB near SR 605 in Rocky Mount, VA (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221203396795001&set=a.10221203415115459)

[roadman65]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cbo3CiWH5erNAE6b6
I think the signs are reversed.  The second exit is supposed to positioned to the left as the first right guide should be on the right of the next.

It makes more sense as the first turn should be closest to the side being you reach it before the next turn and the second should be second from outside because it's beyond the first.