The rogue G28-2 California State Highway Spades

In this short blog we look at the somewhat rare but not unheard-of rogue G28-2 California State Highway Spades affixed to guide signs.

Part 1; what is the G28-2 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 it's more ornate cut-out shields which are used for, US Routes, Interstate Highways, and State Routes. These shields are intended to be applied as standalone reassurance signs but aren't explicitly limited to said function and occasionally appear in error on guide signs. 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. 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 G28-2 California State Highway Spades

Below a G28-2 Route 178 shield can be seen applied to a guide sign on California State Route 184 northbound on Kern Canyon Road in Bakersfield.

Below a G28-2 Route 16 shield can be seen on a guide sign for Interstate 5 Exit 541.

Below G28-2 Route 66 and Route 83 shields along with a G27-1 Interstate 10 shield can be seen affixed to a locally produced uni-sign on Foothill Boulevard approaching Euclid Avenue in Upland. Uni-signs are not standard for Caltrans maintained roadways but can on occasion be found in cities which maintained relinquished State Highway segments.

Know of any other G28-2 State Highway Shields in use on guide signs? Know of any G26-2 US Route Shields or G27-2 Interstate Highway Shields in use guide signs? If so, please feel free to share in the comments, we would love to hear from you.

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