  Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 3209 Registered: 01-2005 |
This is funny. I've been watching the MDOT camera on the Southfield freeway at Schoolcraft for the last three hours. Apparently a sign came loose, and a huge crew has the freeway shut down completely (southbound). I don't know what their game plan is, but they have at least eight workers and five rigs there. Seems like they've been trying to figger out what to do with this sign.  (Message edited by ray1936 on June 03, 2008) | ||
Burnsie Member Username: Burnsie Post Number: 1409 Registered: 11-2003 |
Without the facts of the matter, how can you assume that they're wasting taxpayer time and money? Now, I have seen some instances of waste in our highway system--starting with the needless replacement of EVERY sign along US-127 in Clare and Isabella counties, which might have been using federal dollars. But you can't make reckless assumptions about an operation, unless you have substantial inside info. | ||
Karl_jr Member Username: Karl_jr Post Number: 289 Registered: 06-2007 |
speaking of mdot, does anyone know what the deal is with the overpass at I-75 & e warren? the construction has stopped and the date of reopening has been extended? | ||
Wazootyman Member Username: Wazootyman Post Number: 356 Registered: 02-2006 |
Yes, they are fixing a sign that was discovered to need repairs during a routine inspection. Better now than after it falls on a passing vehicle: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=/20080603/NEW S06/80603103 The sign replacement is part of a national trend towards more "readable" highway signs. I wasn't able to find a specific reference to cite whether it's federally funded, but I would have to imagine it is to some degree. A few links: http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0 ,1607,7-151-9621_11041_32687-1 00477--,00.html http://www.michiganhighways.or g/route_markers_clearview.html This NY Times article gives a great background on the new font - "Clearview" - almost telling you more than you'd ever want to know about it's history: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08 /12/magazine/12fonts-t.html?pa gewanted=1&ei=5124&en=98f91dfe e8879900&ex=1344744000&partner =permalink&exprod=permalink I'm sure a lot of the signs were probably due for replacement. Funny thing is, with something like this, it's probably cheaper in the long run to replace them all at once than to do them on an "as needed" basis. A Google query shows that this is by no means Michigan only: http://www.google.com/search?h l=en&q=clearview+sign+replacem ent Sorry, no answers for the E. Warren overpass... | ||
Burnsie Member Username: Burnsie Post Number: 1410 Registered: 11-2003 |
Wazootyman-- Thanks for the links. I knew about the Clearview stuff. I have to admit I'm a biased roadgeek, since I prefer the classic-looking FHWA Series font. I grudgingly admit that Clearview is a bit easier to read, but then again, someone who has the least bit problem reading the old signs probably shouldn't be driving anyway. Not only the signs along US-127, but ALL the signposts were replaced. Not just the posts that support new Clearview signage, but the ones holding up "WRONG WAY," "AUTHORIZED VEHICLES ONLY," etc. signs. The replacements were virtually the same height and exact same kind in almost every case. In some instances, the new aluminum-channel posts look dirtier than the old ones! | ||
Wazootyman Member Username: Wazootyman Post Number: 357 Registered: 02-2006 |
Honestly I wish they'd put more money/effort into replacing the old mechanical ITS message boards with the LED-based replacements. A lot of them are aging poorly and need to be replaced. Some are hardly readable anymore. | ||
Wash_man Member Username: Wash_man Post Number: 782 Registered: 05-2006 |
Channel 7 reported yesterday that this sign was hit by a too-high truck, but the damage was not visible to the actual sign, only the frame work. That is why it was replaced without warning at an unusual time. |
