I-781 (Fort Drum Connector) Update

[Duke87]

NYSDOT does that stupid box thing all across the state.

[Roadgeek Adam]

It's extremely prevalent in Region 8, which is where I remember first seeing it.

[vdeane]

Region 2 is infamous for it.  It's no longer in our standards as an option, but they're still around.  Someone probably forgot to tell the contractor.

[machias]

Region 2 is infamous for it.  It's no longer in our standards as an option, but they're still around.  Someone probably forgot to tell the contractor.

Region 2 stopped doing it with the adoption of the 2009 MUTCD. I think Region 8 has stopped as well.  Region 3 has been patching over the boxed names with the proper legend-type on a hit or miss basis.

I think the "boxed road name" first appeared in the NYSMUTCD back in '83 or so but didn't start really appearing on upstate signs until the early 90s. The first time I saw it R3 had used it on the I-81 Exit 23/24 panels. R2 went crazy with it. The other regions (outside of R8) didn't seem to ever adopt it.    Since the NYSMUTCD only specified road names were to have a box, I have no idea why the engineer of this panel thought it would be appropriate to box the word Downtown. That's just weird.  If he or she wanted to bring attention to the fact that US 11 South headed to Downtown Watertown, they could have underlined the word Downtown or something. That would make it much more legible instead of that dumb box around a smaller letter height.

I just contacted NYSDOT via email regarding this. They must hate me. I average a NYSDOT email every 8-10 weeks or so.

[jasonsk287]

My NYSDOT region (10, Long Island) never does the box thing; I've never seen it here. NYC (Reg. 11) doesn't seem to do it either. I only see it when I go upstate.

[Duke87]

NYC (Reg. 11) doesn't seem to do it either. I only see it when I go upstate.

Worth pointing out that NYSDOT only really installs signs on interstates in the city. The Parkways are all NYCDOT signage.

[cu2010]

I-781 is in Region 7. Which is one of the best regions in the state when it comes to not replacing perfectly good signs. Unfortunately, when they DO replace signs, the replacements are just awful.

[machias]

I-781 is in Region 7. Which is one of the best regions in the state when it comes to not replacing perfectly good signs. Unfortunately, when they DO replace signs, the replacements are just awful.

I think R7 is the only region where I saw a boxed street name in button copy, for Exit 51's "Island Road" on I-81.  I didn't think they continued the practice after that.

[vdeane]

Judging by the new exit signage on I-81 north for NY 12F, they have not.  I believe Exit 52 has a boxed Island Rd as well.  There's also a really ugly sign on US 11 north where NY 37 splits off, but no boxing there.

[mgk920]

Wisconsin has some instances of such highlighting, except that it is green letters on a white background.

Mike

[Alps]

NYC (Reg. 11) doesn't seem to do it either. I only see it when I go upstate.

Worth pointing out that NYSDOT only really installs signs on interstates in the city. The Parkways are all NYCDOT signage.

--really ++nominally

or

--installs ++leaves up

[empirestate]

Region 2 is infamous for it.  It's no longer in our standards as an option, but they're still around.  Someone probably forgot to tell the contractor.

Region 2 stopped doing it with the adoption of the 2009 MUTCD. I think Region 8 has stopped as well.  Region 3 has been patching over the boxed names with the proper legend-type on a hit or miss basis.

I think the "boxed road name" first appeared in the NYSMUTCD back in '83 or so but didn't start really appearing on upstate signs until the early 90s. The first time I saw it R3 had used it on the I-81 Exit 23/24 panels. R2 went crazy with it. The other regions (outside of R8) didn't seem to ever adopt it.    Since the NYSMUTCD only specified road names were to have a box, I have no idea why the engineer of this panel thought it would be appropriate to box the word Downtown. That's just weird.  If he or she wanted to bring attention to the fact that US 11 South headed to Downtown Watertown, they could have underlined the word Downtown or something. That would make it much more legible instead of that dumb box around a smaller letter height.

I just contacted NYSDOT via email regarding this. They must hate me. I average a NYSDOT email every 8-10 weeks or so.

I should probably point out here that along with Breezewood, I-99 and sequential exit numbering, the boxed street names have never bothered me. Go figure!

[vdeane]

Just went by yesterday.



This Jct plat is WAY oversized.



The sign from earlier.  This doesn't conform to the boxed street name specs... also, note the car to the right of the cones (not the one parked by the speed limit sign).  I don't know what it is, but it got on I-781 west right after I took this despite it not being opened (though it looks like all they need to do is uncover the US 11 signs and install the I-81 signs... it's striped and everything, and construction vehicles are already using it to bypass NY 342).

[machias]

A bunch of signs are loaded up on trucks at the sign shop in Yorkville.  I couldn't see very many of them since it was dark, but it looks like Exit 48 is going to be relabeled  NY 342 - To NY 3 - To NY 37 / Black River / Carthage (with appropriate route markers, of course).  I couldn't confirm any other signs, but I *think* one of them might have been marked I-781 - To US 11. I'll try to look again in the daylight tomorrow.

[cu2010]

Yep...that JCT I-781 sign is just as uncovered as it was almost two months ago.

Guess covering it back up involves too much effort for them.

And holy crap, that US11 sign is awful. Not only does "Downtown" look utterly stupid boxed in like that, it's way too small...and maybe it's just the picture, but something about "Watertown" looks off as well.

[Dougtone]

It wouldn't be the first time.  A number of years back, it took a while for some of the uncovered I-86 shields around Binghamton to be covered up once more.

[vdeane]

I think in that case NYSDOT just asked for approval to sign it rather than cover them back up!

[vdeane]

As of right now, the only work that was done since last Tuesday was to place a "road closed" sign on the ramp to I-781 west from US 11.  I guess NY isn't making the contractor work over Thanksgiving (you'd think the would, given that the road is already three months late!  They should be working overtime to get it done).

[Dougtone]

http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/20958/20121127/fort-drum-connector-road-to-i-81-set-to-open-soon

So, the Fort Drum Connector may not open by the end of November.  However, NYSDOT is looking for an opening sometime within the next two weeks.  I'll have to keep on monitoring the local news websites (like the Watertown Daily Times, for instance) until I can get a confirmed opening day.

[vdeane]

Well, it's already striped at the US 11 interchange, so that's been done... what else could they possibly need to do?  Isn't striping the last thing to get done on a road?

I'll go crazy if this thing isn't open before the end of the semester!  They should have been aiming to have it open before August to get the college traffic.  I hope NYSDOT never uses this contractor again!

[machias]

Well, it's already striped at the US 11 interchange, so that's been done... what else could they possibly need to do?  Isn't striping the last thing to get done on a road?

I'll go crazy if this thing isn't open before the end of the semester!  They should have been aiming to have it open before August to get the college traffic.  I hope NYSDOT never uses this contractor again!

I don't think the signs are up on I-81 yet. That'll take at least a week, barring weather difficulties.

[vdeane]

Yes, but how could is possibly take a week to install signage?  I would think it would take a day, tops.  Do they install one sign and then stop all work until the next day?  That seems to be how they're approaching this project.  If I were NYSDOT, I would expect all the workers to be doing double shifts with no days off until the road is completed.

[Alps]

Yes, but how could is possibly take a week to install signage?  I would think it would take a day, tops.  Do they install one sign and then stop all work until the next day?  That seems to be how they're approaching this project.  If I were NYSDOT, I would expect all the workers to be doing double shifts with no days off until the road is completed.

Maybe this includes some of the overhead gantries?

[hbelkins]

Yes, but how could is possibly take a week to install signage?  I would think it would take a day, tops.  Do they install one sign and then stop all work until the next day?  That seems to be how they're approaching this project.  If I were NYSDOT, I would expect all the workers to be doing double shifts with no days off until the road is completed.

Maybe this includes some of the overhead gantries?

Generally, they set the posts first and have to leave them in place for several days for the concrete to set up before they mount the signs.

[Dougtone]

Yes, but how could is possibly take a week to install signage?  I would think it would take a day, tops.  Do they install one sign and then stop all work until the next day?  That seems to be how they're approaching this project.  If I were NYSDOT, I would expect all the workers to be doing double shifts with no days off until the road is completed.

Maybe this includes some of the overhead gantries?

If memory serves me correctly, I believe that some of the overhead gantry installations for I-781 along I-81 were in place by late August.  This was the last time I passed through Fort Drum Connector construction.