The rogue G28-1 California State Highway Spades

In this short blog we look at the somewhat rare but not unheard-of rogue G28-1 California State Highway Spades.

Part 1; what is the G28-1 California State Highway Spade?

The Caltrans Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices Sign Chart from 2014 ("Caltrans MUTCD") dictates the types of signs and highway shields permitted for traffic control use in California. California is known for the more ornate cut-out shields which are used for, US Routes, Interstate Highways, and State Routes. The common shields which are typically found through California are:

US Route: G26-2

Interstate: G27-2

State Highway: G28-2

The Caltrans MUTCD provides alternative shields for, US Routes, Interstate Highways, and State Routes. These alternative shields are intended for guide sign usage but aren't explicitly limited to said function. These alternative shields are:

US Route: G26-1

Interstate: G27-1

State Highway: G28-1

The primary reassurance shields for; US Routes, Interstate Highways, and State Highways can be seen depicted below.

Part 2; the rogue G28-1 California State Highway Spades

While in theory the G26-1 US Route Shield and G27-1 Interstate Shield could be possible see a non-guide sign reassurance shield use I personally haven't encountered any on the road. Conversely, I have encountered numerous G28-1 State Highway Spades in use as reassurance shields. I have also acquired several G28-1 California State Highway Spades in my signage collection.

The cover to this blog is an unused G28-1 California State Route 14 ("CA 14") shield I have in my sign collection. This CA 14 is tiny as it measures only 18x18 inches.

I also have a G28-1 style CA 135 shield which can be identified as intended for assurance use given it has two mounting holes. This shield is an older variant which is comprised from reflective paint with vinyl numerals.

In terms of field signage this G28-1 CA 227 shield can be found near Arroyo Grande.

This G28-1 CA 180 shield was found on Whites Bridge Avenue (former CA 180) west of downtown Fresno.

This G28-1 CA 270 shield once served as the first westbound reassurance shield as Bodie Road transitions from State Park maintenance to Caltrans maintenance. Unfortunately this shield was missing upon my last visit to Bodie State Historic Park.

G28-1 shields can be found in use in Yosemite National Park on El Portal Road and the Big Oak Flat Road. CA 140 is marked on El Portal Road whereas CA 120 is marked on the Big Oak Flat Road and Tioga Pass Road.

This G28-1 shield can be found on Brawley Avenue at the Fresno city limit approaching CA 180.

Know of any other G28-1 State Highway Shields in use around California for reassurance purposes? Know of any G26-1 US Route Shields or G27-1 Interstate Highway Shields in use for reassurance purposes? If so, please feel free to share in the comments, we would love to hear from you.

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The last 1956-63 era California Sign State Route Spade?

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