Massachusetts paddle signs

[SidS1045]

Recently the signs on North Avenue/Walkers Brook Drive at I-95 in Wakefield and Reading were replaced.  Where paddle signs would have been used before, they were replaced with ground-mounted signs constructed with what looks like a design similar to BGS's on the mainline interstates, although much smaller, on two uprights.  Has MassDOT finally retired the paddle sign design, or was this a one-off?

[SectorZ]

They've been put up on Woburn St in Lowell where it junctions with I-495, so those signs have spread to some other areas I am aware of.

[Alps]

photos plz

[bob7374]

Here's an example of the new type of guide signage seen along Derby Street in Hingham:

[cockroachking]

I passed a similar one approaching the new roundabout with US-7 on MA-23 EB/MA-41 NB in Great Barrington this summer:

[Alps]

Here's an example of the new type of guide signage seen along Derby Street in Hingham:

I would call those LGS not BGS. But all of that is just language we use here.

[storm2k]

We need some sort of classification like Mini-BGS. Those look like full on extruded metal signs with metal supports, just smaller.

[cockroachking]

We need some sort of classification like Mini-BGS. Those look like full on extruded metal signs with metal supports, just smaller.

They are BGS's without the B, if you will.

[PHLBOS]

Has MassDOT finally retired the paddle sign design, or was this a one-off?

Based on what I've seen on recent visits; the paddle-style signs are still used for the ENTERING bookleaf panels as well as green panels where the sign message & lettering can still fit.

The change to the MUTCD standards that now require use of mixed-case lettering on smaller guide signs was likely the reasoning why MassDOT introduced the new style panels & posts.

[Mergingtraffic]

Still an all text paddle sign from 1993 in Salem, MA.

[mariethefoxy]

Still an all text paddle sign from 1993 in Salem, MA.

oh wow, they were using that older style with the mileages in the sign well into the 90s?

[PHLBOS]

Still an all text paddle sign from 1993 in Salem, MA.

oh wow, they were using that older style with the mileages in the sign well into the 90s?

Even more interesting was that the long-gone cut-corner predecessor signage for this area had the 114 westbound mileage listed as:
PEABODY 3
DANVERS 4

[RobbieL2415]

The text-only paddle signs lasted well into the 00s on the Cape. I miss them.

[5foot14]

The junctions of 114, 125 and 133 in Andover still has paddle signs that are all text with the mileages...

Andover Paddle Signs GSV

[Ted$8roadFan]

I've seen these signs for most of my life, but never knew until now that they were called paddle signs, lol. In my experience, they still exist but now use Route shields and a different font, assuming they fit the criteria. I do kinda miss the old school all-text ones, though IIR they weren't as sturdy as the new ones hopefully are.

[RobbieL2415]

I've seen these signs for most of my life, but never knew until now that they were called paddle signs, lol. In my experience, they still exist but now use Route shields and a different font, assuming they fit the criteria. I do kinda miss the old school all-text ones, though IIR they weren't as sturdy as the new ones hopefully are.

Some of those old-style paddle signs were wooden, IIRC

[Ted$8roadFan]

I've seen these signs for most of my life, but never knew until now that they were called paddle signs, lol. In my experience, they still exist but now use Route shields and a different font, assuming they fit the criteria. I do kinda miss the old school all-text ones, though IIR they weren't as sturdy as the new ones hopefully are.

Some of those old-style paddle signs were wooden, IIRC

Yes, they were. You could tell they were wooden after years of harsh weather had taken their toll.

[kramie13]

I prefer Mass DOT use trailblazers at intersections, like seen here.

The state or US route shield inside a green sign looks ugly.

[Rothman]

I prefer Mass DOT use trailblazers at intersections, like seen here.

The state or US route shield inside a green sign looks ugly.

Pfft.  Getouttaheah. 

Replacing the paddle signs with trailblazers has been a recent development in MA and MA sucks at them after decades of the paddle.

Try to follow US 202, MA 116 or MA 141 through Holyoke.  Eesh.

[SectorZ]

I prefer Mass DOT use trailblazers at intersections, like seen here.

The state or US route shield inside a green sign looks ugly.

At least when a green sign is used you don't have two signs leaning in two different directions partially covering each other like in this example.

[CapeCodder]

I prefer Mass DOT use trailblazers at intersections, like seen here.

The state or US route shield inside a green sign looks ugly.

Pfft.  Getouttaheah. 

Replacing the paddle signs with trailblazers has been a recent development in MA and MA sucks at them after decades of the paddle.

Try to follow US 202, MA 116 or MA 141 through Holyoke.  Eesh.

I prefer their old paddles with the number "riding" the arrow i.e --132-->

[5foot14]

Replacing the paddle signs with trailblazers has been a recent development in MA and MA sucks at them after decades of the paddle.

Paddle signs are alive and well and the state is not replacing them with trailblazers. It really just depends on the intersection and how much information needs to be conveyed. Trailblazers at minor intersections have been done here forever. They're not a new thing.

What they are doing is implementing their new guide sign standards to replace the paddle sign standard. Basically an extruded aluminum sign, about the size of a paddle sign, that combines both panels into 1 with either 1 or 2 supports. They've been popping up all over and with new sign replacement projects.

Try to follow US 202, MA 116 or MA 141 through Holyoke.  Eesh.

None of those are maintained by MassDOT, except the bridges over the river and canals. YMMV when it comes to town maintenance.

[Rothman]

Replacing the paddle signs with trailblazers has been a recent development in MA and MA sucks at them after decades of the paddle.

Paddle signs are alive and well and the state is not replacing them with trailblazers. It really just depends on the intersection and how much information needs to be conveyed. Trailblazers at minor intersections have been done here forever. They're not a new thing.

Baloney.  I've seen more paddle signs swapped out for trailblazers over the past 20 years or so than the thirty years prior.

What they are doing is implementing their new guide sign standards to replace the paddle sign standard. Basically an extruded aluminum sign, about the size of a paddle sign, that combines both panels into 1 with either 1 or 2 supports. They've been popping up all over and with new sign replacement projects.

Try to follow US 202, MA 116 or MA 141 through Holyoke.  Eesh.

None of those are maintained by MassDOT, except the bridges over the river and canals. YMMV when it comes to town maintenance.

This sounds like a MassDOT/Legislature issue.  Blaming the towns for not maintaining good signage for state highways isn't a good look (MassDOT = "It's their fault and we're not going to do anything about it.").  If that's the stance, start and end State highway designations along with the maintenance swaps.

[vdeane]

This sounds like a MassDOT/Legislature issue.  Blaming the towns for not maintaining good signage for state highways isn't a good look (MassDOT = "It's their fault and we're not going to do anything about it.").  If that's the stance, start and end State highway designations along with the maintenance swaps.

How is navigating US 11 south through Syracuse these days?

[Rothman]

This sounds like a MassDOT/Legislature issue.  Blaming the towns for not maintaining good signage for state highways isn't a good look (MassDOT = "It's their fault and we're not going to do anything about it.").  If that's the stance, start and end State highway designations along with the maintenance swaps.

How is navigating US 11 south through Syracuse these days?

Like I've bemoaned elsewhere on the forum myself, miserable.