Last Phase I signs in Vermont are disappearing in 2010

[froggie]

Didn't mention it earlier (though I took a pic), but those 0.2 milemarkers were also added on I-91.  The MP 140.0 (right at Exit 24) is the southernmost one.

[shadyjay]

The new markers look good, but the .0 addition on the even miles seems kind of overkill if you ask me. 

At least they don't remind you what road you're on every 0.2/mile

[shadyjay]

Looks like we can expect to see a lot more Clearview.... and here's why:

http://www.aot.state.vt.us/PressReleases/2010/August/NewStandardsCallForInterstateSignReplacement.htm

*shakes head reading that*

Well, will all sign replacements be carbon copies? Or will they finally put proper exit tabs for Exit 14 (U.S. 2) along Interstate 89 and ditch the "Thru Traffic" panels at the same interchange?

I finally got a chance to drive on I-89 between Exits 10 & 16 tonight for the first time in several weeks.  All new BGSs are in (except 1 for Exit 12) along with all new mile markers.  Regulatory signs remain to be replaced, however.  


Here are some items of note:

*  All signs in Clearview.  They don't look that bad, but there's something I don't like about the "1/2" mileage on the signs.
*  Metric-only distances after Exit 9-NB and after Exit 10-SB have been replaced with traditional mileage distances.
*  Exit 12 has been changed, from "VT 2A TO US 2" to "VT 2A TO US 2 & VT 116".
*  Exits 13 & north have exit tabs installed on all ground-based signs.  
*  NB, Exit 14 overhead for Exits 14E/W has been replaced.  "THRU TRAFFIC" has been replaced with "89 NORTH/ST ALBANS".  However, the signs for Exit 14 DO NOT
    have any exit tabs.  The sign on the US 2 bridge for Exit 14W does have an exit tab.
*  SB Exit 13 destinations have changed from "Shelburne/Middlebury" to "Shelburne/Rutland".  All SB signs at Exit 13 have exit tabs.
*  SB, the Exit 14 1 mile sign has been replaced.  However, the overhead 1/2 mile and Exit 14E/W overhead signs have NOT been replaced.  Both overheads still have a
    "THRU TRAFFIC" sign.  These two overheads were replaced a few years ago when the SB Exit 14W ramp was widened to 2 lanes.
*   SB, on the ramp at Exit 12, the overhead gantry which only had lane designation arrows now has two BGSs on it.  One says "NORTH 116 TO VT 2A / Williston/Essex
     Jct" and the other says "SOUTH 2A TO VT 116 / Hinesburg / Bristol".
*   No "NEXT EXIT __ MILES" were spotted on any of the new signs.  On another sign replacement project on I-89 earlier this year, these tabs were moved from the 1
     Mile sign to the 1/2 mile sign.  It's possible they just have not yet installed the tabs, seeing as the project is not fully complete yet.


In addition, green town destination signs on the ramps are in a lower case / narrow font, perhaps Clearview.  Routes are posted in advance on this sign, and one where the ramp meets the surface road.  



Seeing as it was dark, I could not get any pictures.... but check back soon!

[Dr Frankenstein]

Just drove most of Vermont I-89 today (Exit 17 to NH), both directions.

That amount of mileposts is, in my opinion, overkill. Also, they're the only new signs not in Clearview.

I spotted one of the old NB reassurance markers (the one that wasn't turned around). Was it not button-copy? I had a feeling it was, but I didn't have time to see it well.

Clearview looks good, IMHO. The half-mile BGS's seem to be alternating between "1/2" and the actual "½" symbol, though. I guess one of the engineers was a little lazy.

They added a French "Bienvenue" plaque under the "Welcome to Montpelier" sign.

[froggie]

They added a French "Bienvenue" plaque under the "Welcome to Montpelier" sign.

As I recall, that was on the previous sign as well.

[Alex]

So are the "Next Exit XX Miles" placards being done away with countrywide? I noticed that Vermont was removing them and I see them very infrequently elsewhere anymore.

[mightyace]

^^^

I've noticed the same thing, too.  I've mainly seen new ones where a carbon-copy sign replacement was done.

I'm guessing that with the move to mileage based exit numbers, it is not thought to be necessary anymore.

[Ian]

So are the "Next Exit XX Miles" placards being done away with countrywide? I noticed that Vermont was removing them and I see them very infrequently elsewhere anymore.

Doesn't the PA Turnpike still use them?

[shadyjay]

Re:  Bienvenue
The old sign said "Welcome to Montpelier / Captal of Vermont", with the French version below that.  The new sign says only the English, with a "Bienvenue" added underneath.


Re:  Next Exit __ Miles
Signs replaced on I-89 in Vermont this year between Exits 3 & 9 have the "NEXT EXIT __ MILES" sign.  It has been moved from the 1 Mile advance sign to the 1/2 mile sign.  Since the project between Exits 10 & 16 is not complete yet, its possible they just haven't gotten around to adding them yet.  Exits 13, 14, and 15 never had them anyway.  And there is still one old 1/2 mile advance sign for Exit 12 that has yet to be replaced.  But if any of the ones should have the "NEXT EXIT __ MILES", its the Exit 11 1/2 mile SB and the Exit 10 1/2 mile NB, plus the Exit 16 1/2 mile NB, as the distances between those exits are quite substantial.  Between Exits 10 & 11, its 15 miles.


Was up there again today, but forgot the camera!  I'm assuming the project stops at Exit 16 since the portable VMSs on the highway say the work is being done to Colchester and that's Exit 16.  My guess is next year we'll see Exits 16-22/border being done, as there are some old signs on this stretch, though not as old as the ones on I-91 that were replaced. 

Also, Exit 9 on I-91 has received new signs as well.  So on I-91 that leaves only Exits 1-4, 6,7,8,10 with "older" signs. 

[Ian]

So these are going to get the axe too?


I don't see a problem with that other than it uses the older circle design. They are perfectly reflective.

[shadyjay]

I agree with you, but according to the press release, they do not meet the new standards.  
http://www.aot.state.vt.us/PressReleases/2010/August/NewStandardsCallForInterstateSignReplacement.htm

Personally, I would have just done what was done prior to this year:
*   Move the blue service symbols to their own sign
*   Replace the circle shields with the green shield

But as the release states, the project to replace the signs doesn't tap into funds for other projects and is 100% federally funded.

And regarding that sign, I wonder if they'll keep its route as "VT 9 WEST".   Since the partial text routes/partial shields onramp signs at this interchange "I-91 NORTH TO VT 9 EAST" will be replaced, my guess is the I-91 signs will read "VT 9" with a possible "TO US 5" as well.  After all, I-91 exits from 1-9 all have mention of US 5 EXCEPT Exit 2. 


Other questions to be answered:
"US 5/VT 11/VT 106 / Springfield" for Exit 7:  Will it become "US 5/VT 11/Springfield/Charlestown NH" with a "TO VT 106" optional? 
Will "AIRPORT" remain the control point for Exit 10S (I-89)? 
Will a real NH route marker for 12A be placed on I-89 SB at the I-91 Exit or will it just read "I-89 SOUTH"?

[Ian]

That's a shame, at least I got a photo of the old font sign at the VT 9 interchange. I just wish I could have shot those old button copy signs along I-91 in their glory days. Oh well. How long is that old Connecticut River button copy sign going to stick around along I-89 at the NH/VT border?

[Mr_Northside]

Doesn't the PA Turnpike still use them?

Actually, I don't think they do.  (If someone points out that they still do, I'll feel really inattentive, as I was just on the turnpike 2 weeks ago)
Shortly after entering the turnpike, they'll have a mileage sign for the next 2 exits:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Monroeville,+PA&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=41.411029,93.076172&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Monroeville,+Allegheny,+Pennsylvania&ll=40.432968,-79.746859&spn=0.00441,0.030899&z=16&layer=c&cbll=40.432994,-79.747044&panoid=5KdyOuuxqiJ4f_HVuk_VIQ&cbp=12,146.88,,0,2.88]http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Monroeville,+PA&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=41.411029,93.076172&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Monroeville,+Allegheny,+Pennsylvania&ll=40.432968,-79.746859&spn=0.00441,0.030899&z=16&layer=c&cbll=40.432994,-79.747044&panoid=5KdyOuuxqiJ4f_HVuk_VIQ&cbp=12,146.88,,0,2.88]http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Monroeville,+PA&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=41.411029,93.076172&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Monroeville,+Allegheny,+Pennsylvania&ll=40.432968,-79.746859&spn=0.00441,0.030899&z=16&layer=c&cbll=40.432994,-79.747044&panoid=5KdyOuuxqiJ4f_HVuk_VIQ&cbp=12,146.88,,0,2.88


I can attest that as of this last weekend, the stretch of I-79 in Greene county has "Next Exit" signs with the 1-mile BGS's that are still in good shape, and will probably be around for a while:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Waynesburg,+PA&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=41.411029,93.076172&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Waynesburg,+Greene,+Pennsylvania&ll=39.821194,-80.100374&spn=0.01981,0.045447&z=15&layer=c&cbll=39.821343,-80.100522&panoid=QHQrLyJfEZthcwB1Mj-rEw&cbp=12,162.53,,0,3.22

Oh yeah... I almost forgot the one on I-279 heading north at the Camp Horne Rd. exit.  Have to mention that one.  (I imagine that one got that sign since it's a pretty big gap for being so close to the Pittsburgh area)

[SidS1045]

Okay folks, here's your entire northbound I-89 signage update with before-after pics, taken 7-26-2010...

http://picasaweb.google.com/shadyjayvt/I89July2010#

"Oops... there's nothing to see here. Either you do not have access to these photos, or they don't exist at this web address. Please contact the owner directly to gain access."

[shadyjay]

Guess over the course of time I had renamed the album but didn't change the link....

http://picasaweb.google.com/shadyjayvt/I89SignReplacementSummer2010#

[shadyjay]

I picked up a copy of the Interstate 89 Travel Guide today at the Waterbury train station.  The guide has several pages for each exit, detailing the services, attractions, and whatnot available.  Each exit also has an insert with a picture of the BGS for the exit.  The pictures for Exits 10-14 are still the old signs since these were replaced before press time.  However, the pictures for Exits 17-22 are all in Clearview. 

So the question is, did VAOT replace the signs on I-89 north of Exit 16 (Winooski) up to the Canadian border already?  It's been a few years since I've been north of Exit 16 and hadn't seen any projects on their web site in past years regarding the replacement of signs up that far.  I suppose its possible the signs were "photoshopped", but why go through that trouble, especially since the sign pictures for Exits 1-2 and Exits 10-14 are the older signs?

(there's also a Clearview sign of the "Midpoint-Equator to the North Pole" between Exits 21 & 22)


It's a pretty interesting guidebook, available free - most likely you can pick 'em up at the information centers/rest areas along I-89 as well (the few that are left)!

[Dr Frankenstein]

I can confirm that the BGS' for exits 16 and 17 were in Clearview as of mid-November. I wouldn't be surprised it goes all the way up to Canada. The signs for the last exits on I-91 are also Clearview.

[shadyjay]

Today I finally have confirmed the replacement of signage on I-89 all the way to the Canadian Border (Exit 22).  Full photo gallery of today's images here, combined with images shot on I-89 last summer:

http://picasaweb.google.com/shadyjayvt/I89SignReplacementSummer2010Spring2011#


A few items of note:
*   The Exit 12-NB "at exit" sign is no longer standing.  It may have collapsed due to nearby blasting or by other means.  I did not observe the fallen sign on the side of
    the road.
*   The Exit 14-SB overhead assembly has had exit tabs installed, though the "THRU TRAFFIC" pullthrough remains.
*   Onramp signs from US 2 to I-89 at Exit 14 were not replaced, though the ones at Exit 17 are new.  
*   There is a stretch for a mile or so near St Albans that has not yet had the new mile markers/mini markers installed.  Also there are at least 2 reassurance shields that
    have not yet been replaced and are quite old and faded.
*   Reassurance shields north of Exit 15 are mounted on two posts and do not have the Eiesenhower Interstate System sign.
*   "NEXT EXIT __ MILES" tabs have been added to the 1/2 mile advance signs.
*   The oldest remaining BGS is between Exits 21 & 22-NB and reads "CANADA - 2"
*   In some locations, old concrete footings for BGSs were observed alongside the roadway.  


So with a confirmation of signs from Exit 3 to Exit 22, this leaves just the stretch from the NH/VT border to Exit 2 with old signs on I-89.  Given VAOT's push to upgrade all signs in the state, this section may very well get replaced in 2011, along with I-91 between Exits 1 & 10.  

[Alex]

A few items of note:
*   The Exit 14-SB overhead assembly has had exit tabs installed, though the "THRU TRAFFIC" pullthrough remains.

https://picasaweb.google.com/shadyjayvt/I89SignReplacementSummer2010Spring2011#5592593936109737378 - exit tabs and the I-89 north St. Albans pull through panel are nice changes!

https://picasaweb.google.com/shadyjayvt/I89SignReplacementSummer2010Spring2011#5592594202462795682 - lame, "Thru Traffic" remains. Are those Clearview exit tabs added to the Highway Gothic-based signs a stopgap, or is that the permanent solution?

Thanks for sharing those photos!

[Ian]

Well, at least Vermont's new clearview signs don't look that awful. They're actually nice compared to how other states handle clearview.

[Dr Frankenstein]

I'm actually quite pleased by Vermont's implementation of Clearview, and their new signage in General. I see they replaced even more signs after I clinched I-89 last November.

[cu2010]

Is it just me, or are a few of those signs using a wider width of Clearview than the others? A few of them look a bit off...the letters seem to be a little too large and the kerning a bit off. The rest look pretty good, though.

But I wonder...how does this happen on a new sign?

[shadyjay]

But I wonder...how does this happen on a new sign?

I was wondering the exact same thing as I was taking the pic... guess they just don't make 'em like they used to!   


On another note, I hope to log I-91 from St Johnsbury to Derby Line in the next few weeks... harkening back to the original purpose of this thread.  I'll post the link here along with comments after that drive occurs.

[Mergingtraffic]

What type of BGSes does VT use?  It looks like what I call "stacked" signage, where the sign parts are stacked horizontally with square corners. CT uses the same.  Anybody know the official name?

NY uses what I call "plate" BGS, where it looks like they use square or rectangle metal plates to form their signs. NY also uses curved edges, which make their exit tabs look odd.

What type of lettering format is used?  ie Buttoncopy was used before etc. 

[Alps]

New BGS are Clearview typeface, that much I know. NY does fine because they shift the exit tab over to the edge of the curve. The other option would be to curve the exit tab but have a straight transition on the right side of the sign.