Interstate 93 Signing Work

[Pete from Boston]

For people from Peabody and the east, I suggest that on I-95 Rt-128 sb between Exits 42-38 (I-95 south to I-93 Boston Waltham) the other way around on I-93 for those who are leaving for I-95 Rt-128 I suggest on I-93 nb between Exits 32-36 (I-93 north to I-95 Concord NH, Portsmouth NH)

Everyone says that.

[PHLBOS]

For people from Peabody and the east, I suggest that on I-95 Rt-128 sb between Exits 42-38 (I-95 south to I-93 Boston Waltham) the other way around on I-93 for those who are leaving for I-95 Rt-128 I suggest on I-93 nb between Exits 32-36 (I-93 north to I-95 Concord NH, Portsmouth NH)

Everyone says that.

Although not a full-blown limited-access highway for most of its route, US 1 not I-93 is used & signed as the primary way of getting to/from Boston from the northeast and inside I-95/MA 128. 

I-95 South loses its Boston destination listing to US 1 South at Exit 46 (a slip-ramp interchange).  Further south, the US 1 interchange at the Lynnfield/Peabody line (Exit 44) uses Boston for the US 1 South destination.

[roadman]

I actually like how MassDOT continues with the diagrammatic signs instead of jumping on the APL bandwagon (well, if you call it that).

IIRC, MUTCD's APL design are only to be used if there's a middle lane that splits into two different directions.  Such middle-lane split does not currently exist with the Braintree Split interchange.  When it did (for I-93 & MA 3 South); the signage (mid-1980s vintage) obviously predated the MUTCD APL standard.

If one scrolls down the OP's I-93 signage page, or a previous page of this thread (scroll down); one sees that MassDOT used yellow LEFT or RIGHT 2 LANES banners instead of a diagrammatic.

You are correct about the "option lane" APL requirements.  Actually, per the 2009 MUTCD, traditional diagrammatics are now only to be used at "option lane" configurations as well.

[roadman]

My rendition of A00420BLARGH approved signage:

I don't think it would look anywhere near that good

LOL!   Reminds me of Lex Luthor's "New West Coast" map in the original Superman movie, where Ned Beatty scrawled "Otisburg (with a reversed 'S')" in crayon on it.

[Pete from Boston]

For people from Peabody and the east, I suggest that on I-95 Rt-128 sb between Exits 42-38 (I-95 south to I-93 Boston Waltham) the other way around on I-93 for those who are leaving for I-95 Rt-128 I suggest on I-93 nb between Exits 32-36 (I-93 north to I-95 Concord NH, Portsmouth NH)

Everyone says that.

Although not a full-blown limited-access highway for most of its route, US 1 not I-93 is used & signed as the primary way of getting to/from Boston from the northeast and inside I-95/MA 128. 

I-95 South loses its Boston destination listing to US 1 South at Exit 46 (a slip-ramp interchange).  Further south, the US 1 interchange at the Lynnfield/Peabody line (Exit 44) uses Boston for the US 1 South destination.

What impresses me most about this is that you apparently made some sense of the paragraph I quoted.

You spelled Gellet wrong.

[JakeFromNewEngland]

Not my best sign, but it makes a point.

[hotdogPi]

It's Foxba]oro. Remember the bracket.

[JakeFromNewEngland]

It's Foxba]oro. Remember the bracket.

Oops. 

[spooky]

(As far as thinking there was an option lane, I think I was recalling common driving practice of moving over at the last minute vs. the actual striping.  I still don't get why they deleted a lane for route 3 or didn't make the #3 lane an option lane though.  Probably zipper-lane related, but still....)

Again correct.  District 6's rationale for changing the lane configuration was to reduce the merging/weaving problems the end of the zipper lane and the MA 3/I-93 split.

Yes, now instead of having to cross two lanes from the zipper lane to a lane that accesses I-93 South, vehicles only have to cross two lanes!

[mass_citizen]

Does anyone know what will happen with the signs on Route 37/exit 6? Another poster pointed out that the plans do not call for them to be replaced, yet they are old button copy. I am confused as to what larger corridor replacement project they would ever be apart of in the future?

[PHLBOS]

Does anyone know what will happen with the signs on Route 37/exit 6? Another poster pointed out that the plans do not call for them to be replaced, yet they are old button copy. I am confused as to what larger corridor replacement project they would ever be apart of in the future?

Are you referring to the BGS' along MA 37 itself?  The ones along I-93 for Exit 6, were replaced late last year/early this year.

[bob7374]

Does anyone know what will happen with the signs on Route 37/exit 6? Another poster pointed out that the plans do not call for them to be replaced, yet they are old button copy. I am confused as to what larger corridor replacement project they would ever be apart of in the future?

Are you referring to the BGS' along MA 37 itself?  The ones along I-93 for Exit 6, were replaced late last year/early this year.

He's talking about the signs on MA 37 itself. They are not being replaced, and they are in good enough shape not to be. They were installed in the 1990s and therefore not probably in need of replacement for 10 or more years.

[southshore720]

What about the BGS signage on Morrissey Blvd at I-93 and MA 3A?  That is in dire need of replacement.  Was that part of this contract?

[mass_citizen]

Does anyone know what will happen with the signs on Route 37/exit 6? Another poster pointed out that the plans do not call for them to be replaced, yet they are old button copy. I am confused as to what larger corridor replacement project they would ever be apart of in the future?

Are you referring to the BGS' along MA 37 itself?  The ones along I-93 for Exit 6, were replaced late last year/early this year.

He's talking about the signs on MA 37 itself. They are not being replaced, and they are in good enough shape not to be. They were installed in the 1990s and therefore not probably in need of replacement for 10 or more years.

even still, if they are pushing 20 years old at least the sign panels should be replaced, save the structural supports. At least get rid of the button copy with its deficient night time visibility.

bob7374 can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe in either the sample plans you posted or somewhere else in this thread I saw that some signs near Mass ave/southhampton street are being replaced? These were installed even more recently near the completion of the big dig.

[roadman]

@mass_citizen  Save for the numerals in the I-93 shields, the signs on Route 37 are NOT button copy.  The signs and supports were last updated in 1997, and the sign legends are high intensity demountable copy, which was MassHighway standard for overhead BGSes at the time (the current MassDOT standard is for high intensity prismatic legend and background on extruded BGSes).

As for the signs on the northern end of the Boston to Randolph project, most signs and supports north of Columbia Road that were installed at the tail end of the Big Dig will now be retained (plans called for the signs to be reset on new supports, but that was changed once the supports were inspected and evaluated).  The principal exception is signing for the Mass. Ave exit, which is also the designated haz-mat/overheight route around the I-93 tunnel.  The new signs for Mass. Ave will include the "haz-mat/overheight must exit here" information as a banner on the signs, instead of the previous single separate "must exit here" panel at the exit ramp.  This is to reduce the chances of such traffic missing the proper exit, and is also consistent with most other signing within the tunnel system.  Also, the southbound advance signs for Columbia Road that were installed under the Big Dig will be changed by overlaying "U Mass JFK Library" with "Dorchester S. Boston", to match the other new Columbia Road signs within the project.

[roadman]

What about the BGS signage on Morrissey Blvd at I-93 and MA 3A?  That is in dire need of replacement.  Was that part of this contract?

Yes, the signing you are referring to, as well as similar signing within Neponset Circle, is to be replaced under the Randolph to Boston contract as well.

[mass_citizen]

@mass_citizen  Save for the numerals in the I-93 shields, the signs on Route 37 are NOT button copy.  The signs and supports were last updated in 1997, and the sign legends are high intensity demountable copy, which was MassHighway standard for overhead BGSes at the time (the current MassDOT standard is for high intensity prismatic legend and background on extruded BGSes).

you are correct-my mistake for not specifying that only the shields are button copy. Even still, the signs being 17 years old (yes it has already been 17 years since 1997, can you believe it!) I thought typically massdot replaces sign panels about every 20 years or so.  It would make sense to at least put new panels on the existing supports since they fall within the corridor of the Boston to Randolph project and it is unlikely another large scale sign replacement project will hit that area for some time.

[A00234826]

For people from Peabody and the east, I suggest that on I-95 Rt-128 sb between Exits 42-38 (I-95 south to I-93 Boston Waltham) the other way around on I-93 for those who are leaving for I-95 Rt-128 I suggest on I-93 nb between Exits 32-36 (I-93 north to I-95 Concord NH, Portsmouth NH)

Everyone says that.

Although not a full-blown limited-access highway for most of its route, US 1 not I-93 is used & signed as the primary way of getting to/from Boston from the northeast and inside I-95/MA 128. 

I-95 South loses its Boston destination listing to US 1 South at Exit 46 (a slip-ramp interchange).  Further south, the US 1 interchange at the Lynnfield/Peabody line (Exit 44) uses Boston for the US 1 South destination.

US-1 from Peabody to Boston is a 6 lane road (like a normal 6 lane highway) "HOWEVER" there lots of shops and restraints on the side of the road, the narrow entrances to the parking lots for all the businesses on US-1 can be distracting and dangerous (especially during peak time) when merging on and off with through traffic.   

I prefer I-95 Rt-128 south to Exit 37A to I-93 south becasue 2 reasons. 1.US-1s toben Bridge cost $3 for cash travelers and Rt-128 and I-93 dont have any toll plazas in Boston. 2. drivers on US-1 needed to be cairful with people heading off and back on the road after stopping at the busineses on the side of the road and that can slow down traffic even more then an average highway like Rt-128 and I-93.
PS 
Remember Commercial vehicles with hazours material heading south of Boston to ether Cape Cod by US-3 or I-95 through Providence RI, New York City CANT use I-93 in Bostons tunnels at all as a throughway from NH to points south of Boston, they must use Rt-128. I suggest a sign near Rt-128 jct on I-93 also on US-3 and I-95 in Peabody for Commercial Vechicals heading south reminding them (RI-CT-NY points use I-95 Rt-128 south) or (to I-90 mass pike, Providence RI, New York City use I-95 Rt-128 south) since some take Rt-128 to Exit 25 were I-90 jcts.

[mass_citizen]

Remember Commercial vehicles with hazours material heading south of Boston to ether Cape Cod by US-3 or I-95 through Providence RI, New York City CANT use I-93 in Bostons tunnels at all as a throughway from NH to points south of Boston, they must use Rt-128. I suggest a sign near Rt-128 jct on I-93 also on US-3 and I-95 in Peabody for Commercial Vechicals heading south reminding them (RI-CT-NY points use I-95 Rt-128 south) or (to I-90 mass pike, Providence RI, New York City use I-95 Rt-128 south) since some take Rt-128 to Exit 25 were I-90 jcts.

I think this sign on I-93 SB prior to 128 serves that purpose. There is a similar sign on US 3 SB prior to 128 as well. And I believe also on 95 SB prior to 128 in Peabody.

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.521193,-71.134138,3a,15y,203.68h,89.55t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sNkB3JkBSqek8ekJqE5k20g!2e0?hl=en

[roadman]

@mass_citizen  Correct on all counts regarding the haz mat signs.  There are also similar signs to advise northbound traffic on Route 3 in Braintree, Route 24 in Randolph, and I-95 in Norwood.

[PHLBOS]

US-1 from Peabody to Boston is a 6 lane road (like a normal 6 lane highway) "HOWEVER" there lots of shops and restraints on the side of the road, the narrow entrances to the parking lots for all the businesses on US-1 can be distracting and dangerous (especially during peak time) when merging on and off with through traffic.

With all due respect, did you even bother to read all of my post that you quoted particularly the first 8 words (reposted below in bold & in red)?

Although not a full-blown limited-access highway for most of its route

Let me politely remind you that I grew up in the North Shore and and well aware of what US 1's like along that stretch; short-comings and all.  It hasn't really changed all that much over the last few decades.  Addtionally, most people on this forum already know of such.  Incidentally, US 1 isn't continously 6 lanes from Peabody to Boston; it drops to 4 lanes between MA 99 in Saugus and MA 60 in Revere. 

I prefer I-95 Rt-128 south to Exit 37A to I-93 south becasue 2 reasons. 1.US-1s toben Bridge cost $3 for cash travelers and Rt-128 and I-93 dont have any toll plazas in Boston. 2. drivers on US-1 needed to be cairful with people heading off and back on the road after stopping at the busineses on the side of the road and that can slow down traffic even more then an average highway like Rt-128 and I-93.

While doing such is certainly your choice; it usually adds more travel time (it's longer in miles) in most instances.  If you frequently head to Boston, you might consider investing in an EZPass.

Remember Commercial vehicles with hazours material heading south of Boston to ether Cape Cod by US-3 or I-95 through Providence RI, New York City CANT use I-93 in Bostons tunnels at all as a throughway from NH to points south of Boston, they must use Rt-128. I suggest a sign near Rt-128 jct on I-93 also on US-3 and I-95 in Peabody for Commercial Vechicals heading south reminding them (RI-CT-NY points use I-95 Rt-128 south) or (to I-90 mass pike, Providence RI, New York City use I-95 Rt-128 south) since some take Rt-128 to Exit 25 were I-90 jcts.

I'm going to say this again (in bold & in red): regardless of whether a vehicle is transporting hazardous material or not, through-traffic will not be going through Boston PERIOD!

As stated by others, there are already signs posted directing through-traffic carry hazardous materials to go around Boston by way of I-95 at key locations.  The bigger issue for such vehicles would be where to go if their destination is actually in or near Boston.  But that's another topic for another thread.

Seriously dude, your spelling is absolutely atrocious (and I can tell that they're not merely just typos).  I haven't seen a misspelling of careful since probably the 2nd grade.  Do yourself and all of us a favor and proof-read what you type and check your spelling prior to hitting the Post button. 

[spooky]

Seriously dude, your spelling is absolutely atrocious (and I can tell that they're not merely just typos).  I haven't seen a misspelling of careful since probably the 2nd grade.  Do yourself and all of us a favor and proof-read what you type and check your spelling prior to hitting the Post button. 

Completely agreed, although the quality of spelling seems to match the thoughts being presented.

[Zeffy]

Seriously dude, your spelling is absolutely atrocious (and I can tell that they're not merely just typos).  I haven't seen a misspelling of careful since probably the 2nd grade.  Do yourself and all of us a favor and proof-read what you type and check your spelling prior to hitting the Post button.

QUOTED FOR TRUTH! However, the spelling I think is indicative of how nonsense some of his posts are... he wants to re-sign everything for New York City, but I don't think he realizes that making a new sign costs money. Does a state want to spend money on highway signs just to make sure people can find New York City easily? NO! The general consensus of the community is that I-93, I-95, MA 128, and whatever else routes you decide to list, are all signed fine. And besides - if someone wants to get to New York City, don't you think they would have a GPS or a map to do so?

[PurdueBill]

US-1 from Peabody to Boston is a 6 lane road (like a normal 6 lane highway) "HOWEVER" there lots of shops and restraints on the side of the road, the narrow entrances to the parking lots for all the businesses on US-1 can be distracting and dangerous (especially during peak time) when merging on and off with through traffic.

With all due respect, did you even bother to read all of my post that you quoted particularly the first 8 words (reposted below in bold & in red)?

Although not a full-blown limited-access highway for most of its route

Let me politely remind you that I grew up in the North Shore and and well aware of what US 1's like along that stretch; short-comings and all.  It hasn't really changed all that much over the last few decades.  Addtionally, most people on this forum already know of such.  Incidentally, US 1 isn't continously 6 lanes from Peabody to Boston; it drops to 4 lanes between MA 99 in Saugus and MA 60 in Revere. 

I prefer I-95 Rt-128 south to Exit 37A to I-93 south becasue 2 reasons. 1.US-1s toben Bridge cost $3 for cash travelers and Rt-128 and I-93 dont have any toll plazas in Boston. 2. drivers on US-1 needed to be cairful with people heading off and back on the road after stopping at the busineses on the side of the road and that can slow down traffic even more then an average highway like Rt-128 and I-93.

While doing such is certainly your choice; it usually adds more travel time (it's longer in miles) in most instances.  If you frequently head to Boston, you might consider investing in an EZPass.

Remember Commercial vehicles with hazours material heading south of Boston to ether Cape Cod by US-3 or I-95 through Providence RI, New York City CANT use I-93 in Bostons tunnels at all as a throughway from NH to points south of Boston, they must use Rt-128. I suggest a sign near Rt-128 jct on I-93 also on US-3 and I-95 in Peabody for Commercial Vechicals heading south reminding them (RI-CT-NY points use I-95 Rt-128 south) or (to I-90 mass pike, Providence RI, New York City use I-95 Rt-128 south) since some take Rt-128 to Exit 25 were I-90 jcts.

I'm going to say this again (in bold & in red): regardless of whether a vehicle is transporting hazardous material or not, through-traffic will not be going through Boston PERIOD!

As stated by others, there are already signs posted directing through-traffic carry hazardous materials to go around Boston by way of I-95 at key locations.  The bigger issue for such vehicles would be where to go if their destination is actually in or near Boston.  But that's another topic for another thread.

Seriously dude, your spelling is absolutely atrocious (and I can tell that they're not merely just typos).  I haven't seen a misspelling of careful since probably the 2nd grade.  Do yourself and all of us a favor and proof-read what you type and check your spelling prior to hitting the Post button. 

Hear hear!

I too grew up on the North Shore (in Peabody) and wouldn't bother going over to 93 to avoid a toll on the Tobin Bridge (or Sumner Tunnel)--not worth it timewise or distance-wise to me. 

New York City on all the signs he suggests is crazy.

And the spelling thing is getting to be too much to take. 

[roadman]

I too grew up on the North Shore (in Peabody) and wouldn't bother going over to 93 to avoid a toll on the Tobin Bridge (or Sumner Tunnel)--not worth it timewise or distance-wise to me.

I lived in Lynn until 1990, and would rarely take I-93 into Downtown Boston instead of the Tobin Bridge or the Sumner Tunnel.  My first car even had Tobin Bridge commuter stickers (remember those) on it.  IIRC, the toll was normally 25 cents, but with the sticker it was only a dime.

I now normally take I-93 into Boston, but that's because I now live in Wakefield.  Unless there's a total cluster on I-93 south, going over to the Tobin or the Sumner makes no sense at all.

New York City on all the signs he suggests is crazy.

Tried to figure out the rationale on that one until I was reminded of a line from Monty Python's Gumby Theater sketch

My brain hurts!

And the spelling thing is getting to be too much to take. 

Ditto in spades.