MI: Country Flags on Signs

[mtantillo]

Looks like Michigan has Canadian and American flags on their new guide signs at the Blue Water Bridge approach in Port Huron.  The interchange was reconfigured...previously the mainline lanes became the exit for M-25 (Pine Grove Ave.) and you had to take an exit ramp to stay on I-94/I-69 towards the Blue Water Bridge and Canada.  Now, you have to exit for Pine Grove Avenue and the mainline goes to Canada (in addition, the Pine Grove exit shifted from left side to right side), so there is significant chance of "accidentally" ending up in Canada.  The signs over the through lanes say "Canada ONLY" with a Canadian Flag, and the sign for the exit says "[M-25] - Port Huron - USA" with a US flag and "Last Exit Before Canada" on the bottom. 

I really like this idea.  I think the ISO country codes in the ovals works great in Europe where people are used to ISO country codes for top-level domain names and license plates, but I don't think people would understand that here (at least not the "confused" drivers that the signs are trying to catch the attention of), in addition to the problem of the ISO code for Canada being CA, which is more closely associated with the slightly more populous California by Americans.  So the country flags work great as a "symbol" sign (technical term, a "pictogram") that grabs the attention of the driver. I think this idea should be used more jurisdictions, and I intend to share this innovative idea with those who have the power to get this into the MUTCD. 


I couldn't figure out how to post a picture here that isn't accessible via a general web link, but there is a picture posted on MDOT's facebook page.  I've also shared it on my own Facebook page if you're friends with me (if you're not, send a request!)

[catch22]

Here's a link to the picture on MDOT's Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151571654014927&set=a.85829219926.76477.69882284926&type=1&theater

[Tom]

Here's a link to the picture on MDOT's Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151571654014927&set=a.85829219926.76477.69882284926&type=1&theater

Those signs are impressive.

[jOnstar]

I would love to see me photos of all of 94/69 now after the construction. I am not far away to take a quick drive, but been too busy to lately, I was hoping someone would have been on all of it.

[OracleUsr]

I'm headed to Port Huron next weekend.  Might have to snap a picture of my own, cool sign (even in Clearview)

[jOnstar]

     I finally had a chance to check out the reconstructed I-94/69 in Port Huron. MDOT did a very good job with it. Instead of pictures, I went a little step further and shot some video using my IPhone. I apologize for the shaking and not so perfect quality, but the video still gives you a pretty good view from the road.