Hidden Interstate Plaques
Has anyone else noticed the small plaques mounted at various spots on the bridges, ramps and underpasses along the new Interstate? I have and I’ve always wondered what they said. This plaque is mounted at the entrance to Westbound I74 at Washington/Eaton Street, near the Riverplex.
It’s not really that exciting, but now you know!
September 17th, 2007 at 8:09 am
Hmmm… I have wondered about these in the past, too. Are they afraid of losing an overpass? Like, oh, yeah, where’s that station 10 + 086? Let’s go and check all their tags?
Or do IDOT workers go to work on the overpass and have to compare the numbers to get the proper manual? (I wonder if their manuals have words or just follow the picture directions?)
September 17th, 2007 at 10:49 am
STATION 10+086 is 10,086 feet from the beginning of Stationing. Stationing is a method of measuring from where an engineer decides a point called “0” is going to be located, which can be at the beginning of a project or maybe even the beginning of the road. Station continues forth from Station 0 to Station 1, and that is 100 feet away. 10 stations is 1,000 feet. +086 is a location 86 feet beyond the last full station.
Engineers could use the same method to describe the beginning of a Horizontal or Vertical Curve, an Intersection, a Fire Hydrant, a Catch basin, a Light Standard, a Driveway Approach, Where to paint a gore point in an on ramp or where to begin a double yellow line or end one.
This is a builders plate for the Bridge. It says some things that may only make sense to the Illinois department of Transportation. F.A 1 Rt. 74 =Interstate 74 then the end of it is likely a bridge loading specification that the bridge is supposed to be able to meet or exceed.
You said it; “It’s not really that exciting, but now you know!”
*end Geocaching/benchmarking/civil engineering comment.
September 17th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
Being geocaching people, Josh and I once stopped to read one.
September 17th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
Alot of indirect numbers there for a urban multi Highpockets. Gonna set one up in Peoria?
September 18th, 2007 at 9:21 am
I haven’t even set up the one I want to do in my home town yet. But that would be fun a tour of downtown. Maybe after the museum gets built? Ha ha ha.