Gribblenation

MassDOT's Highway Division currently has several highway sign replacement projects going on. In the Boston area, these involve I-95 (128) between US 3 in Burlington and I-93 in Woburn, MA 2 between Concord and the end of the freeway in Cambridge, and along I-93 south of the city from Columbia Road (Exit 15) to MA 24 (Exit 4). I didn't make it to that I-95 section, other than new mile markers, there was little changed on I-93. But I did capture photos of some of the new MA 2 signage going westbound: Here's examples of the first new signage heading westbound, just beyond the Alewife MBTA station and garage, route shields and sign design with line under exit tab match current Mass DOT practice. For those unfamiliar with MA Route 2, it travels from Boston to the NY state line. The exit numbers run from I-91 eastward. The route is not all freeway, so exit numbers are assigned in the gaps to intersections that could be exits, if the road were a freeway. This leaves gaps in the ...

While running errands today, I took my camera with me out to Durham County to get photos of a set of older signs.  One sign has been known for sometime, the other I just discovered in the last month. First, a number of years ago, NCDOT widened and improved Interstate 85 in Durham.  As part of that all of the signage was upgraded.  Well it looks like there was at least one exception - this older Junction I-85, US 15, and US 70 combination still stands on NC 55. I had found that combination by happenstance a few weeks ago. Also, on NC 147, the Durham Freeway, it is well known that what is most likely the only metric sign in North Carolina stands. NCDOT is in the process of upgrading a lot of the signage on the Durham Freeway, and I wanted to make sure I grabbed a shot of it in case the sign finds the chopping block this go around. So I guess you can still find a few sign treats in North Carolina - if you look hard enough.

Maggie and I headed up to Pennsylvania for the Fourth of July.  We headed up on a Thursday and spent about three hours at Sky Meadows State Park in Paris, Virginia for lunch and some hiking. Route: NC 50, US 15, I-85, I-95, US 17, I-81, VA 37, US 522, I-68, US 40, PA 51, PA 48. For years, I have wanted to stop and check out Sky Meadows State Park .  Sky Meadows is located on the two lane stretch of US 17 that runs between US 50 and Interstate 66.  Though only ten miles in length, this is a highly scenic and enjoyable drive.  (Do watch your speed and keep your eye out for equestrians along the shoulder of the road.) For the entire flickr set from Sky Meadows - head here . After a lunch, we decided to take some time hiking some of the trails at the park.  Sky Meadows has over 12 miles of hiking trails , and the park includes nearly two and a half miles of the Appalachian Trail.  We weren't able to reach the AT; however, we did hike the Piedmont Over...

Adam Froehlig and Mike Roberson at the Virginia Highways Project are embarking on a similar project to Carolina Crossroads.  Called Virginia Placenames , their goal is to document all of the geographical signs in Virginia, like this one from Five Forks, Virginia. Be sure to visit their site and give them a hand!

US 117 Connector - North Originally uploaded by Adam's Journey The four lane highway from I-40 near Faison to US 117 near Mount Olive has recently been signed as US 117 Connector. This is the first time I have seen a 'Connector' route signed. Where else are 'Connector' routes signed?

The West Virgina Division of Highways has decided to impose tolls on their portion of the Mon-Fayette Expressway.  The reason?  They were unable to reach a toll fund transfer deal with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Authority.  As a result, the opening of the highway has been pushed back to the Spring of 2011. The toll booth will be located on the West Virginia side of the border and will be operated by the West Virginia Parkways Authority (WV Turnpike).  The toll booth will be manned, although sparsely, and will also take E-Z Pass.  The toll schedule has not been announced. Story Links: Tolls to be taken on W. Va section of Mon-Fayette ---The Daily Athenaeum

So this may or may not be a regular feature, but as I get photos I will certainly add them to the blog.  So the maiden post of sign fouls come from Pete Zapadka. The first is an obvious one - incorrect WV 19 shields in Morgantown, WV.  These should be US 19 shields. The next sign foul from Pete is more subtle.  It is located on I-79 North in Pennsylvania as you approach Exit 19.  At the two mile guide sign, there is an error in the placement of the word 'TO'.  It should be located over the US 19 shield instead of the PA 221.  The offramp from I-79 North intersects with PA 221.  One mile later, the one mile advance guide sign is correct. If you have some sign fouls and you want to share, you know what to do.