Dates of CT signage

[Mergingtraffic]

There are still some Phase 2 BGS signage aroound the state, most notably I-84 east of Waterbuty and CT-8 SB in Beacon Falls.

So, if the CT-8 Beacon Falls section was built in 1982 or so, according to the dates on the bridges, the SB Exit 25 and 24 signage seems to be original (non-reflective button copy). But signs on the NB side seem to be late 80s or early 90s (reflective button copy).  Does that mean signs were replaced after only 10 years or so after being put up!?!

Also, On I-84 WB in Waterbury, there are some "original" riveted lettering BGS (not sure what to call it), the Exit 22 1/s Mile and Exit 23 exit-now overhead gantry.  These are from the same time CT used non button copy signage.  Im guessing it went up in 1982 or 1983 (CT-25 also used non button copy signage in 1983)
However I'm guessing the Phase 2 signs in the area are from the late 70s?  Does that also mean the Phase 1 signs were only up for 15 or 20 years if I-84 was built in the late 60s in that area? 

[BamaZeus]

It's obviously been a long time, but the Beacon Falls section was opened one side at a time, and I can't remember which opened first.  I want to say the southern direction side was open well before the northern direction side, which still had to go through Beacon Falls, but don't hold me to that.

I'm trying to remember the car trips of my youth through what my grandfather called "the Valley of the Uglies".  His theory was that you could not go into Friendly's there WITHOUT seeing a gaggle of ugly people.

[shadyjay]

However I'm guessing the Phase 2 signs in the area are from the late 70s?  Does that also mean the Phase 1 signs were only up for 15 or 20 years if I-84 was built in the late 60s in that area? 

Outside of a major degredation in signs or some associated road work, I'm not sure why ConnDOT would have replaced signs that were only 10-15 years old. 

Keep in mind the original turnpike signage on I-95 between East Haven and Madison lasted until 1992.  I remember when they were replaced.  Since they were installed when the turnpike opened in 1958, that's some 34 years of "in the field" usage.  Not bad.  But they were getting pretty shabby. 

Seems to me that ConnDOT went from button-copy signage (with standard route markers) (Phase I), to the direct-applied "riveted" text (Phase II), to all-button copy (3M generation, including route markers)(Phase III), to the present standard we have now (Phase IV).  I-691 from Exit 1 to 4 opened in the mid/late 1980s, therefore has Phase II.  I-84 in the East Hartford/Manchester area was rebuilt in the early 80s, hence has Phase II.  CT 25 opened about that time as well, hence its Phase II.  My guess is I-84 EB Exit 25A (Austin Road) is Phase I. 

I'll try my best to compile a route-by-route sign progression history in the near future.  If anyone has anything to add to it, I'd appreciate it! 

[Mergingtraffic]

[Seems to me that ConnDOT went from button-copy signage (with standard route markers) (Phase I), to the direct-applied "riveted" text (Phase II), to all-button copy (3M generation, including route markers)(Phase III), to the present standard we have now (Phase IV).  I-691 from Exit 1 to 4 opened in the mid/late 1980s, therefore has Phase II.  I-84 in the East Hartford/Manchester area was rebuilt in the early 80s, hence has Phase II.  CT 25 opened about that time as well, hence its Phase II.  My guess is I-84 EB Exit 25A (Austin Road) is Phase I. 

Shadyjay,
The I-84 button copy signs with black on white route shields, ie:
Exit 25: "East Main St" exit now sign.
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=waterbury,+ct&hl=en&ll=41.543212,-72.980118&spn=0.008351,0.027595&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=39.780156,56.513672&hnear=Waterbury,+New+Haven,+Connecticut&t=m&z=15&layer=c&cbll=41.543218,-72.988311&panoid=8KGlF9cBXLEGf9rXQGbk2w&cbp=11,264.9,,0,2.29

Exit 23 "CT-69" 3/4 Mile sign.
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=waterbury,+ct&hl=en&ll=41.538972,-73.00724&spn=0.008352,0.027595&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=39.780156,56.513672&hnear=Waterbury,+New+Haven,+Connecticut&t=m&z=15&layer=c&cbll=41.538987,-73.007223&panoid=zQP66YVPl5SmJrbwRKvsZw&cbp=11,1.6,,0,-6.16

Would those above be Phase 2?  B/c isn't Phase one the original signs? and the ones I mentioned above were installed in the late 70s I presume.

[shadyjay]

I would classify both of those signs as Phase I, installed between the 1960s and 1970s.  Seems like Phase II (without button copy) was installed through the early/mid 1980s.  Hence why I-691's west end, CT 25, and I-84 in E Hartford/Manchester have that treatment, since they were built/rebuilt about that time. 

[shadyjay]

CT signage history - rough draft:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B34h24Jmj5-5Mmo3RlQyMElRZFk/edit?pli=1

Comments/additions/revisions welcome