US-2 is NOT a Freeway, 2006
APRIL 2024 NOTE: Apparently, the first photo below got some traction via social media in April 2024. In case you followed a link here, these signs are NOT new—they were posted in 2006 and removed in 2017 (seven years ago, as of April 2024) when the speed limit on portions of US-2 was raised to 65 mph. Please fact-check your information in case someone is trying to stir up controversy about these "new" signs "just posted" on US-2...
While traffic on Upper Peninsula highways has traditionally been given a bit more leeway on the posted speed limits by the Michigan State Police, in the mid-2000s, the state police began to crack down on unsafe driving, road rage and excessive speeding on US-2 across the U.P. In 2006, MDOT posted a set of three signs along US-2 WEST in St Ignace as a friendly reminder that US-2 is not a freeway and the speed limits are set accordingly. In 2017, all of these signs were removed and replaced by a "12 PASSING LANES NEXT 128 MILES" sign when the speed limit at this location was raised to 65 mph.
 The first of the three signs. Note that the legend is rendered in mixed-case Clearview and erected on steel posts, much as a sign along a freeway would be... it's ironic, isn't it? Also note the all upper-case "NOT" for emphasis. Bonus points if you can identify the "hidden" item in this photo, related to driving safely and within the posted speed limits... (Photo taken on September 4, 2006) Photo ©2006 by Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved. |
 The second of three signs along US-2 WEST in St Ignace between the Burger King and Suzy's Pasties as you begin the trek westerly across the U.P. from the Mackinac Bridge. While these signs have appeared elsewhere on the state trunkline system, they are still rather rare. (Photo taken on September 4, 2006) Photo ©2006 by Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved. |
 The third signs in the trio, these include a standard Speed Limit 55 sign, but bordered in highly-reflective yellow for added visibility, and a "Your Speed" sign over a digital readout wih a radar gun mounted on the lower right corner of the sign. On the day this photo was taken, September 4, 2006, the digital readout was not turned on nor was the radar gun in operation. Photo ©2006 by Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved. |