[Talk-us] Use of ref-tag on state highways

[Nathan Edgars II]

On 8/24/2011 7:25 PM, Craig Hinners wrote:
> I see what you're saying about Arkansas, in that their treatment of US
> business routes on signage "feels" more like a "different designation".
> On the other hand, Maryland uses a totatally different shield design for
> business US routes (basically a green-on-white US shield), which is more
> of a "distinct network" feel.

Business routes, yes (similar to Interstate business routes). But other 
types (alternate, scenic) get the normal treatment.

Alternate routes, especially, are intended as equal parts of the U.S. 
Highway system. For example, US 41 used to be split into US 41E and US 
41W between Nashville and Hopkinsville, KY. AASHO decided in the 1930s 
that split routes were confusing, and so in the 1940s US 41W became US 
41 Alternate. US 45 Alternate in Mississippi was never a 'mainline' 
route, but improvements have made it the better route for through 
traffic between Meridian and Tupelo.