2008 Atlanta Road Meeting Trip, Day 2
Jan. 12, 2008
North Carolina-Georgia

These photos are from my trip to the 2008 roadgeek meeting held Jan. 12 in Decatur, Ga., a suburb of Atlanta. These photos are from Day 2 of my trip, including my trip from Franklin, NC to Decatur, Ga., photos from the meet tour, and photos from my trip northward toward my stop for the night in Knoxville, Tenn. To view the full-sized photos, click on one of the thumbnails on this page. You will then be presented with navigation controls to view the images on individual Web pages as a slide show.




A foggy Saturday morning background puts this sign assembly near Franklin in perspective.


Once again -- isn't it painfully obvious that the Little Tennessee River is part of its own basin?


US 64 and NC 28 have an interchange with US 23/441 on the east side of Franklin.


Truck US 64 is signed along US 23, US 74, I-40 and I-26 between Franklin and Hendersonville.


Truckers' warning sign on US 23/64/441.


The US 64/NC 28 exit.


Several highways in Tennessee and North Carolina in this area are signed as the Southern Highroads Trail.


This sign is at the end of the exit ramp from US 23/64/441 to US 64/NC 28. Thru US 64 trucks that do get off are instructed to go across the highway and get back on US 23.


Signage at the end of the ramp.


A closeup shot of the NC 28 signage seen in the previous photo.


Looking east on US 64/south on NC 28. Signs int he background warn truckers of mountain terrain 8 miles ahead, as well as a prohibition on trucks over 20,000 pounds.


Signage for the entrance ramp to northbound US 23.


Signage where US 64 joins US 23/441.


NC 28 heading into Franklin.


NC 28 intersects Business US 441.


US 441 business route markers on NC 28.


Back on the south side of Franklin, this is heading south on Business 441.


Signage for the ramp to north US 23/441 and east US 64.


US 23/441 signage heading south out of Franklin.


Mileage to two Georgia cities.


Typical view of US 23/441 south of Franklin, as the route is five lanes undivided and follows the Little Tennessee River valley.


Just north of the Georgia state line is this mileage sign.


This mileage sign is just beyond the previous one and is just north of the state line.


Entering Georgia. Signage in the background includes Georgia's seat belt law sign, a speed limit sign with the commonly used "Speed Checked by Detection Devices" warning, a sign for the Georgia Wine Highway, and a partially obscured Historic US 441 sign.


The first mileage sign in Georgia. No mention of Atlanta.


The first junction sign on US 23/441 in Georgia, which is just south of the state line.


A typical junction sign assembly follows.


GA 246 and US 23/441. These are the first markers for the US routes in Georgia as you head south.


This assembly includes the first mention of GA 15, which is US 441's companion state route.


This assembly omits the GA 15 sign.


Typical view of US 23/441 in Georgia south of the state line and north of Clayton.


Bike routes are well-signed in this part of Georgia.


Standalone GA 15 sign without its companion US route signage.


Wire-mounted overheads for US 23/441 and GA 15 north of Clayton.


US 76 intersects in Clayton.


Wire-mounted overheads.


Surface signage where US 6 intersects US 23/441.


The three US routes are signed together and briefly multiplex in Clayton. Look closely and you will see that the US 23/441 shields are on one piece instead of being two separate signs.


The companion state routes are signed on their own assembly.


The US 76 multiplex is very brief.


Overheads designating lanes for US 76 and US 23/441.


This is the split of US 76 and GA 2 from US 23/441. Once again, the US 23/441 signs are in a "unisign."


This is the first instance of a wide-perspective US 441 sign. Thse are contractor-installed signs along a section of the highway that is under construction south of Clayton.


Construction to widen US 23 to four lanes south of Clayton.


More construction.


There is a Loop GA 15 near Tallulah Falls.


Advance signage for the turn onto Loop 15.


At the Loop 15 intersection.


Heritage US 441 signage near Tallulah Falls.


This is a typical view of US 23 south of Tallulah Falls in the Chattahoochee National Forest in Habersham County.


Brown Historic US 441 Business signage at Hollywood.


This guide sign makes no mention of US 123, which is part of the equation at the upcomign intersection.


US 123 is included on the signage here.


This is the first mention of Atlanta on US 23 in Georgia. This intersection also marks the northern terminus of US 123. Nearly one year ago, in January 2007, I was at the route's other terminus, in Greenville, SC. Something looks funny about this photo, though: How can you be going south on GA 365 no matter which way you turn to follow the route? And isn't this the southern terminus of US 123? Those are mistakes on the leftmost sign -- the directional signage for US 123 and GA 365 should be north, not south.


There is quite a bit of signage for the Appalachian Foothills Parkway in this area. The bridge in the background carries the ramp from US 123 south to US 23/441 south.


This end sign is on the ramp from US 123 to US 23/441 south.


GA 365 has been the companion state route for US 123, it now becomes the companion state route for US 23 south to I-985.


Another assembly that uses the square signs for US 441 and GA 365 instead of the wider signs used in the previous photo.


Guide sign for GA 197.


Another US 23/441 and GA 15/365 sign assembly.


Is this another dual bannered US highway? Historic Business US 441 is posted here.


Exit for Business US 441, GA 105 and GA 385.


Georgia uses these loop arrows frequenly on exit gore signs.


Approaching the split of US 441 from US 23.


Oversized route marker signs.


A trailblazer for the Appalachian Foothills Parkway.


High-mounted exit sign for US 441. This type of guide sign mount is used commonly in Georgia.


Overheads at the split of US 441 and US 23.


Exit sign for Conn GA 15.


Route markers for US 441 and GA 15 after the split.


Route markers for US 23 and GA 365 after the split.


At the exit to the GA 15 connector.


Guide sign for GA 384.


Another Appalachian Foothills Parkway trailblazer. That scenic route is very well signed in north Georgia.


Approaching GA 52


Advance turn sign for GA 52.


On this display, the state route takes the most prominent position.


Typical view of US 23 heading south.


This is approaching the northern terminus of I-985.


Half-mile guide sign for US 129 and GA 369.


Overhead VMS that lists exits on I-985.


US 129/GA 369 exit sign.


The first I-985 sign.


Here, I-985 is co-signed with US 23.


Interesting treatment for the two US 129 shields.


Ditto here.


Another example of Georgia's loop arrow exit gore sign.


A shot of I-985 where the two carriageways use different alignments.


Signage for GA 60 and Conn GA 52. Dawsonville is home of NASCAR driver Bill Elliott, nicknamed "Awesome Bill from Dawsonville."


At Exit 20.


High-mounted GA 53 exit sign with the route marker not centered. Looks as if another route marker is expected to be added to the sign.


VMS with distances listed.


Another high-mounted guide sign with the off-center route marker.


Exit 17 is in a construction zone.


A view of the construction at Exit 17.


This sign was interesting because I'm familiar with the community of Spout Springs in Estill County, Ky. In Estill County KY 82 is known as Spout Springs Road.


Exit sign for GA 347.


Approaching the last exit on I-985, which is US 23's split from the route.


Overheads where US 23 splits from I-985. This is the last exit before I-985 merges into I-85.


The end of I-985 south as it merges into I-85 south.


Now on I-85.


Overhead for Exit 111.


Truck prohibition bridge-mounted sign on I-85 southbound.


High-mounted overhead for Old Peachtree Road and Sugarloaf Parkway, which was the exit for the Atlanta meet.


This VMS lists distance and travel times for I-85.


Overhead for the exit to the C/D ramp for Old Peachtree and Sugarloaf.


At the entrance to the C/D lanes.


Overheads for the exits on the C/D lane.


Overhead on I-85 as seen from the Sugarloaf C/D ramp.


Exit for Sugarloaf Parkway from the C/D lane.


The Roadhouse Grill was the site for the January 2008 Atlanta meet.


On the road for the meet tour -- overheads on Sugarloaf Parkway.


Overheads on the C/D ramp leading from Sugarloaf to I-85. The overpass structure is built much wider than necessary.


Overheads where the Boggs Road exit departs and the C/D continues on toward the merge with I-85.


This is entering the construction zone at I-85 and GA 316.


A shot of the construction at I-85 and GA 316.


Another shot, looking toward I-85 south.


This is similar to the shot two photos back, looking to the northeast.


This is looking north on I-85 toward the GA 316 interchange from the Old Norcross Road bridge.


Another shot from the Old Norcross Road bridge.


A wider angle shot of the GA 316 interchange construction zone from the Old Norcross bridge.


Back on I-85 heading south.


Overheads for the HOV lane and Georgia's "move over" law.


These ramp meters for traffic entering I-85 south were covered up, along with the associated signage. Several other sets of covered meters were spotted on I-285 as well. Georgia must be planning to implement a new system of ramp meters in the near future.


The worst president in modern American history was a Georgia native and a former governor of that state, so it's probably appropriate that a street is named for him.


VMS sign lists travel conditions for I-285. This is on I-85 south.


Lots of overheads here. This is the first signage for I-285 and truck restrictions are prominent here.


Overheads at the Pleasantdale and Northcrest exit with signage for the I-285 exits.


Overheads on the exit ramp.


This old button copy I-85 sign, spotted from the vehicle, was only a harbinger of things to come at this intersection for the sign geeks in the crowd.


These overhead signs include one with the state name and one without.


A look at the flyover ramps at the I-85/I-285 interchange.


A neat old find! These button-copy I-85 signs had everyone's interest.


Another shot of the neat old finds. The weather for the Atlanta meet was absolutely beautiful as the sky attests.


A good look at the 85/285 interchange from the Northcrest Road overpass.


A couple of very old and faded wire-mounted overheads on Northcrest.


Another photo of the overheads seen four photos back.


Newer I-85 and I-285 signs. In the right corner of the photo are Doug Kerr and Adam Prince.


Remember the old I-85 button copy sign from a few photos back? This is it, and this angle reveals a button copy I-285 sign as well. These signs had the photographers' attention, for sure.


Botts dots on the ramp from Northcrest to southbound I-85.


Our group went beyond the I-285 interchange on I-85 south and then turned around. This is looking north on I-85.


Overheads for I-85 and I-285.


A look at the complex interchange.


From I-85, a view of the ramp to I-285.


A look at the maze of flyovers.


GA 378, Beaver Ruin (not Run) Road.


At Exit 102.


Covered exit approaching the GA 316 project.


Diagrammatic overhead for the I-85/GA 316 interchange.


Overheads for GA 316 and GA 120 exits.


A look at the construction project at GA 316.


An up-close look at the project.


Overheads at GA 120.


Overheads on the C/D lane for the GA 120 and Sugarloaf Parkway exits. An unusual structure can be seen in the background.


This is getting back on I-85 south. No one was able to explain the structure behind the overhead sign. There is a ramp there, but the structure is much too wide for the bridge. You can see the bridge's width as noted by the abutment, but look to the right and you can see concrete pillars that are open.


A look underneath the structure in the background of the photo above.


High-mounted exit sign for Beaver Ruin Road.


This sign may have appeared in a previous photo.


Overheads for the I-285 exit from southbound I-85.


Merging onto the outer loop of I-285.


Overheads for GA 141, Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.


I-285 shield.


Mileage sign for I-285's interstate connections.


Overheads for US 19/GA 400.


Mileage and travel time on this VMS.


Overheads for US 19 and GA 400.


More overheads and a good view of the six-lane outer loop of I-285.


Overhead for US 19, GA 400 and Toll GA 400.


Overhead for US 19 south.


Another overhead for US 19 south.


A few of these green markers were spotted along I-285. You can also see some covered-up ramp meters and associated signage.


Another travel time VMS, this one listing info for I-75.


Diagrammatic sign for I-285's intersection with I-75.


Another diagrammatical overhead.


Lane designations for the I-75 exit.


A look at the split on the ramp from I-285 west to I-75.


Another look at the overhead and the split.


Overheads on I-75.


More overheads heading north out of Atlanta.


Yet another time and distance message on a VMS.


Loop 120 overhead and a long noise barrier wall.


This shot shows there are seven lanes northbound on I-75 in this particular spot.


Overheads for Loop 120.


More overheads for Loop 120.


Truck lane restriction sign and US 41/Spur 5 signage.


Overheads for US 41, GA 5 and Spur 5.


Overheads for GA 5, US 41 and I-575.


Diagrammatic overhead for I-575 exit.


Exit only lane designation over head for I-575/GA 5.


Overheads for I-575.


Another overhead for US 41.


Lane designation overhead for US 41.


High-mounted GA 92 exit sign.


This is the type of sign Georgia uses to warn of possible ice on bridges; Kentucky's is "Bridges Freeze Before Roadway."


North of GA 92, I-75 goes down to 3 lanes.


This is similar to a sign found on I-75 in northern Kentucky.


Cable barrier has been installed on this portion of I-75.


Another high single-post mounted exit sign.


Overhead at the GA 113 exit.


State name shield on I-75.


Exit for GA 20.


This overhead gantry obviously has room for another sign.


Overhead with lane designation for GA 20, and plenty of supports to mount another sign on if ever needed.


The GA 20 exit


High-mounted sign for the US 411 exit.


Overhead at the US 411 exit. I left I-75 at this point.


At the end of the ramp from I-75 northbound to US 411.


US 411 signage north of I-75.


Approaching GA 140.


At GA 140.


This sign shows US 411's companion state route, GA 61.


Typical view of US 411 just north of I-75, heading toward the mountains.


Another great shot of US 411.


Approaching GA 53.


GA 53 has a brief multiplex with US 411.


Advance for split of GA 53.


No mention of GA 61 on this sign.


The first mention of Knoxville is on this sign in Fairmount, north of GA 53.


Approaching GA 156.


GA 156 intersection.


This US 411 sign has a white border.


By now, twilight was starting to come into play to cause some motion blur with the photos. Here is a shot of the GA 136 junction sign.


US 411 and GA 136.


Twilight's shadows provide a tunne effect as the setting sun shines on the moutain in the distance.


Approaching US 76's intersection with US 411.


US 76 joins US 411.


Motion blur again, but you can see the reassurance for US 411/GA 61 is separate from the US 76 sign beyond it.


Junction signage for GA 2, GA 52 and Alt. GA 52 at Chatsworth.


Motion blur again -- aargh, darn twilight -- but this is signage for US 411 and US 76, GA 2 and GA 52, and Alt. GA 52, on three separate and sequential posts.


US 76 and GA 52 advance turn signage.


US 76 and GA 52 depart US 411.


Another one of the signs Georgia uses to warn of possible ice on bridges.


A shot of the "speed checked by detection devices" signage used by Georgia in reduced speed zones.


Approaching GA 286.


Overhead wire-mounted signs for GA 286 and US 411.


Blurry twilight shot of overhead wire-mounted signs for North US 411, North GA 61 and West GA 2.

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