Just as archaeologists search for arrowheads to ascertain ancient Native American settlements, so do I look for arrowheads — arrowhead signs that point the way to NYC bridges. These first appeared in the 1930s, and while they have given way to larger directional signs, newer versions of these have actually appeared as painted arrowheads within standard rectangular signs.
Occasionally you still find one of the originals, like this one at Pratt and Strang Avenes in Eastchester in the NE Bronx. There are similar signs pointing toward tunnels, but they are circular.
12/14/12
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The Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority’s crossings, now MTA Bridges and Tunnels, each had a distinctive trail blazer sign with unique colors. The bridges were triangular (Triboro, Bronx-Whitestone, Throgs Neck, Henry Hudson, Marine Parkway, Cross Bay) except for the Verrazano-Narrows, which was circular. The tunnels (Battery and Midtown) also had circular signs with unique colors (gold and black for the Midtown, white and black for the Battery). Few survive today. The old signs are a vestige of the Robert Moses era when he was the TBTA chair and unchallenged czar of all highway construction in NYC.
There are a few QMT bullets around still.
I grew up near the Whitestone Bridge and remember the distinctive signs. The new ones are probably easier to read, but it was much easier to see the old signage out of the corner of your eye while you were driving. DOT’s all over the country could learn a lesson from the old timers.
There’s a Whitestone Bridge arrowhead in Lawrence(Long Island), at the corner of Broadway and Rockaway Turnpike.