Maine Road Signs - May 2011

[KEVIN_224]

  Finally! A forum where I can put these pictures! These pictures are some I what I snapped while visiting Maine from May 6-8, 2011. So far, in order:


A shot of the longest three-digit interstate I've been on in my life, coming to an end. This is at the merge with I-95 in Salisbury, MA.



Note the two different mile markers, even though they're both of the 2/10 mile variety. This if from I-95 North, crossing from Salisbury, MA into Seabrook, NH.



This is the welcome sign along I-95 North in Seabrook, NH. It's a few feet after the actual state line.



I-95 North, entering Kittery, ME. I never get tired of this bridge.  



Back in the day, mom would always take Exit 3 and "enjoy" the traffic along the coast up to Wells and the towards Old Orchard Beach (via ME Route 5 from Saco).


I think this landmark sign is in Kittery, before the York town line. It's along I-95 North, before it becomes the Maine Turnpike.

I have more road signs from this trip. I'm not sure how many pictures are allowed on one post. Please let me know!  

[agentsteel53]

how old is that green sign on the left of the gantry in the 5th photo down?  it is interesting for having almost a 1957-spec I-95 shield, apart from the number being 25% larger, as 1970 spec dictates.

as far as I know, that five-star shield for the entire system was introduced in the early 90s.  the sign has been there "for a while" but I don't distinctly remember it before the late 2000s.

[Alex]

how old is that green sign on the left of the gantry in the 5th photo down?  it is interesting for having almost a 1957-spec I-95 shield, apart from the number being 25% larger, as 1970 spec dictates.

as far as I know, that five-star shield for the entire system was introduced in the early 90s.  the sign has been there "for a while" but I don't distinctly remember it before the late 2000s.

Was there in 2005.

[agentsteel53]

Was there in 2005.

that confirms my vague recollection of it being there in 2006.

[KEVIN_224]

I think the I-95 North pull-through was there in 1996 as well. The road doesn't become the Maine Turnpike until just after Exit 7 in York. Meanwhile, here are a few more pictures. Starting with the "Exit 10" picture, it's from Saturday, May 7, 2011:


There's a couple more of these signs along the length of the Turnpike. This one is in York heading north.



Along I-295 South in South Portland. We had gone into Portland for hockey tickets (Pirates were in the AHL Calder Cup Playoffs) and went to our hotel to check in.



I believe this is in Falmouth along I-295 North, at the famous spur exit.



After paralleling one another since northeastern Massachusetts, we reach the point where US Route 1 heads away in a different direction.



I think this END sign was just after the northern toll booth in Gardiner. Unlike Portland and York County, I'm not quite as familiar with this area.



This was the entrance to I-95 from Western Avenue in Augusta. Obviously, the tolled portion of the road starts a short distance south of this on-ramp.

[Ian]

When you were up near Augusta, did you happen to see if this sign was still alive at the north end of I-295 in Gardiner? This is (was) the only button copy sign I know of left in the whole state of Maine.

[KEVIN_224]

I don't remember seeing that sign in question. The reason is my friend (who was driving) stayed on I-95 (Maine Turnpike). That way, I would add Auburn and Lewiston for my first time and clinch the entire length of the Turnpike once and for all. Anyways, here are the last 6 road-related photos from that weekend:


Sunday, May 8th (Mother's Day): I wanted to stop in Old Orchard Beach. Despite living here for 2 years, it was only my sixth time in the town since 1987. This is I-195 East in Saco.



I-195 East ends at the merge with ME Route 5 South by the Old Orchard Beach town line. Ocean Park Road is straight ahead.



After making my brief visit, it was time to head back towards Connecticut. The "NORTH 5" part is a bit misleading, since a left turn onto Saco Avenue before this point would already have put you onto ME Route 5. 



The exit for US 1 South/ME Route 5 North puts you briefly onto a wrong-way concurrency. Any map of southern and western Maine will give you an idea why Maine 5 is signed this way. 



I don't know why the pull-through doesn't just say PORTSMOUTH, NH and BOSTON instead? 



And with this picture? Into Salisbury, MA and southern New England for my millionth plus time along I-95 South.

[Alps]

how old is that green sign on the left of the gantry in the 5th photo down?  it is interesting for having almost a 1957-spec I-95 shield, apart from the number being 25% larger, as 1970 spec dictates.

It's still current Maine spec for I-95. The three-digit routes use the modern state-name spec.