"Vandalized" freeway sign actually ended up helping traffic for years

[Garth Gator]

Having noticed a glaring omission on a Los Angeles freeway in 2001, artist Richard Ankrom decided to take matters into his own hands. For years, travelers heading north on the 110 in downtown Los Angeles faced a sudden interchange onto the northbound 5. The existing signage failed to provide adequate warning, leading many to miss the exit entirely.

 

In an audacious act of “guerrilla public service,” Ankrom crafted an almost undetectable replica of two freeway signs: an Interstate 5 emblem and a green placard reading “NORTH.”

 

It wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. Ankrom studied the California Department of Transportation’s manual like a hawk, dissected an existing sign, and then painstakingly replicated it, right down to the patina. His mission was simple: to rectify a dangerous oversight.

 

 

 

He installed his homemade sign on the 110 freeway, pointing drivers towards the missing Interstate 5 North exit. The “vandalism” was a bold move, and it worked. For years, Ankrom’s sign helped countless drivers navigate the treacherous LA freeway system.

 

Eventually, the real authorities caught wind of Ankrom’s handiwork and replaced the missing sign. But by then, the damage—or rather, the good—was done.

 

It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best solutions come from unexpected places. And that a little DIY can go a long way.

 

• https://mymodernmet.com/richard-ankrom-i110-freeway-sign/ 
• https://thelandmag.com/richard-ankrom-guerrilla-public-service-los-angeles-free/ 
• https://laist.com/news/confusing-110-freeway-sign 
• https://slate.com/blogs/the_eye/2015/02/11/guerrilla_public_service_on_99_invisible_richard_ankrom_replaced_a_los_angeles.html 
• https://youtu.be/26-4oARwfF4

 

 

Opening image: Trekandshoot | Dreamstime.com