Something that is fast disappearing from D.C. are these gracefully designed street name signs with integrated block number information.

They're being replaced by these ugly modular signs, with the block number a separate plate that's bolted onto the bottom. Each new modular sign is only as long as necessary to display street name and abbreviation, so signs for the lettered streets downtown are very short. Also notice how the abbreviation and quadrant (N.W.) are crammed together. The effect is stingy and cheap.

An elegant variant of the older design was used to locate minor side streets that are a short distance from larger intersections. Both the quadrant and the abbreviation are reversed out of the white arrow, which seems (to the viewer) to span the length of the sign. It's very easy from far away to distinguish one of these "locator" signs.

Even scarcer are these old street name signs that don't provide block information.

posted: 7:24:11 PM