MassDOT sign shops

[RJ145]

Does anyone know where the MassDOT sign shops are located?

[roadman]

At present, MassDOT has two sign shops.  The former MassHighway sign shop is on Mystic Avenue in Medford, and the former Mass Turnpike sign shop is in Weston adjacent to the engineering offices and State Police facility just west of Interchange 14.

These sign shops principally fabricate warning and regulatory signs, the 'bookleaf' type town line signs found on secondary state highways, and some smaller guide signs.  Most of MassDOT's major guide signing work on the Interstates and freeways is done through 'segment specific' upgrade contracts (like the work that is nearing completion on I-95 (128) between 4/225 in Lexington and I-93 in Reading), and most of the guide signing work on secondary state highways is done under open-ended maintenance contracts, one for each of the six highway Districts.

[sammack]

Roadman:

out of curiosity, and upcoming expwy signing contracts coming up?

Thank you

[roadman]

Besides the major guide sign and sign support structure replacement work nearing completion on I-95 (128) between Lexington and Reading, on MA Route 2 between Arlington and Lincoln, and on MA Route 2 between Gardner and Lancaster; as well as the sign and support replacement project currently underway on MA Route 2 between Orange and Templeton (including the "super 2" section west of Phillipston); last fall MassDOT awarded three additional freeway re-signing contracts.

These new projects are on I-93 between Somerville and Wilmington, on I-93 between Wilmington and the New Hampshire line, and on I-95 between Georgetown and the New Hampshire line - including the upper section of I-495 between Amesbury and I-95 northbound in Salisbury.  As with other recent MassDOT freeway re-signing projects, this work will include full replacement of both sign panels and support structures.  In addition to new guide signs and supports, this work will also include the installation of new permanent overhead changeable message signs at certain locations within the project limits as well.

Hope this information is helpful to you.

[Ian]

Do you happen to know when these projects are slated to start? I'll be sure to get photos of the old signs along those said stretches of roadway when I head up to Boston this April.

[RJ145]

Thanks for the info roadman. I'm guessing that the old shops won't have any old stuff kicking around then. I'll have to see if I can track down some of the contractors.

[roadman]

Do you happen to know when these projects are slated to start? I'll be sure to get photos of the old signs along those said stretches of roadway when I head up to Boston this April.

Sign and structure replacement on the I-93 and I-95 projects I mentioned most likely won't start until late spring or early summer of 2011 at the earliest.  Therefore, the old signs should still be in place when you come up to Massachusetts in April.

[shadyjay]

Do you happen to know when these projects are slated to start? I'll be sure to get photos of the old signs along those said stretches of roadway when I head up to Boston this April.

The signs along the I-95 stretch north of Boston aren't that old - I believe they were replaced in the early 90s.  These are the ones which had any interstate shield on the assemblies with button copy numerals.  The ones on I-93 north of Boston are about the same vintage as well.  

[Ian]

Do you happen to know when these projects are slated to start? I'll be sure to get photos of the old signs along those said stretches of roadway when I head up to Boston this April.

The signs along the I-95 stretch north of Boston aren't that old - I believe they were replaced in the early 90s.  These are the ones which had any interstate shield on the assemblies with button copy numerals.  The ones on I-93 north of Boston are about the same vintage as well. 

There is this:


Plus, I was always intrigued by the MA signs without the separation line between the exit tab and the rest of the sign. I guess I was using the term "old" a little too loosely.

[shadyjay]

That "gem" is on the 128 portion of 95 near MA 2.  Not sure if the 128 project has made it that far yet, and if that sign is still there. 

North of "128", the only old signs I remember were the ones southbound approaching 128 which had "SOUTH 95/128-WALTHAM" on the pullthroughs, the last signs on 95 to depict the route as 95 & 128.  I have heard those signs were replaced and [sadly] leave out BGS mention of 128 South, relegating it to ground-mounted trailblazers (and I believe changing the control city to Providence RI).   IMO, they should've kept 95 & 128 on the same signs on the overheads, since most people refer to the road as 128.  How many times has MassDOT/MassHighway tried to completely decommission 128 on 95, anyway? 

Of course signs on the [road formerly known as the] Mass Pike still say 95/128. 

[RJ145]

There's some old button copy signs left in Newton. Just off of Exit 17 on I-90.

[Beeper1]

The "gem" 95 Northbound pullthrough is at the MA 2A exit and it was still there as of last month. None of the signs on that western quadrant of 128/95 have been replaced yet.