Section 8: Destination Signing for Border Cities in Mexico
Introduction
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) provides destination
and mileage signing for Mexican border cities and border crossings
in a manner similar to that provided for Texas cities where sign
size and spacing allow. Mexican border cities should be shown along
with the corresponding Texas cities when appropriate.
Types of Border Crossings
There are two types of border crossings: “international” and “port of entry.”
International crossings
are major crossings open 24 hours a day, 7 days a weekPort of Entry crossings
are minor crossings open fewer than 24 hours a day.Sign Content
The destination signing should identify the city name or the
type of crossing or both. If a city name is used without specifying
the type of crossing, it implies that the crossing is an international crossing.
Destination signing for Mexican border cities should indicate
the city names, but
not
the country name “Mexico,”
except when necessary to prevent confusion.Smaller cities with crossings should have destination and
any necessary mileage signs at the nearest intersecting highway
for the crossing roadway.
Where a Texas city is adjacent to a Mexican city, it may be
desirable to sign both cities. For example, Eagle Pass and Piedras
Negras might appear on the same sign because both cities are of
similar importance.
Sign Placement
On US and state highways, destination signing for major border crossing cities should be placed at major intersecting highways in accordance with the (TMUTCD). On freeways and expressways, either advance guide and exit direction signs or supplemental signs may be used to sign major intersecting highway routes leading to border cities.
Where multiple routes to a destination exist in the same area, the best route for each direction of travel should be signed. Because routes to major border cities in Mexico may involve a combination of routes, additional destination signing may be appropriate. See
Signing in Section 7 of this chapter.
Normally, signing for border cities in Mexico should not extend more than about 50 miles from the Texas-Mexico border.