How Come Philly Isn't Denoted on I-95 North Signage Outside of Baltimore? (Mini-rant) (Philadelphia: living in, restaurants)

[PhilliesPhan2013]

I travel to Maryland once or twice a year, primarily to visit my uncle and his family and also for Thanksgiving. Today, I was thinking about an observation I had made several times on the way back to Delaware County: how come, from Baltimore to the entrance for the Delaware Memorial Bridge, Philadelphia isn't denoted as a destination on I-95 signage? The intention of highway signage is to direct travelers to certain destinations. By not including Philly on the signage, I think that we may be losing potential visitors to the city. I will give two examples of this:

Ex. 1: Let's say that we have a family of tourists who intend to take a trip up the East Coast, starting in DC. Assuming that they take I-95, they will be lead right past our city. They will miss out on the opportunity to see Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Art Museum, and other attractions that are unique to Philly.

Ex. 2: Let's say that we have a family who lives in the Baltimore/DC area. Maybe they have not ever considered visiting Philly. Also, let's say that someone in another family living in the same area HAS visited Philly before. By having Philly denoted as a destination on the I-95 North signage, someone in the family may realize that they have never visited Philly before and look into coming up and visiting. Also, the person from the other family may look at the signage with Philly on it, which may evoke memories of a pleasant experience in Philly, and may push them to come and visit the city once again.

I don't know how other people may feel about "small" (I consider it a big deal) things like this, but it ticks me off when people forget all about Philadelphia as a premier East Coast destination. I am tired of the image that Philly lives in the shadows of the largest city in America, New York, to the north, and to the nation's capital, Washington, D.C., to the south. Philadelphia is a unique city with amenities and features that the other two cities will never be able to come close to. After all, Philadelphia used to be the largest city in the Colonies and the second largest city in the British Empire (outside of London), and is also the birthplace of American government and the Constitution. Also, where else can one get an authentic cheesesteak? Only in Philly; Where will one find the largest landscaped park? Philly has the largest landscaped park in the WORLD; Where will you find the largest collection of 18th century architecture, giving one a glimpse into what life was like in the 1700s? In Society Hill, which is located in Philly. It is about time that more people, both national and international, recognized Philadelphia as a historical and cultural place to see, topped with some of the best restaurants, architecture (especially our ever-changing skyline), shopping, and a lot more.

Rant over.

[Phil A. Delphia]

If we're still relying on road signs to plan our vacations...why do we own personal internet devices?

[cpomp]

I do actually notice when leaving DC/Baltimore there is a large sign signaling 95 North for New York City, but not Philly...Philly has always been overlooked being stuck in between DC and NYC, but I am positive that will begin to change over the next few years.

[rotodome]

The 95 connection is broken between NY & Philly. This is part of the reason for this.

Hopefully it will all change once this project is completed ---> PA Turnpike / I-95 Interchange Project

[rotodome]

Also: (just my obligatory response to pet peeve unintentional misinformation)

-Fairmount park is not the largest landscaped park in the world.

-Philadelphia was never the second largest city in the British empire. While it may have been the 2nd most important trading city in the British Empire for a time, during the colonial period there were cities in England and Ireland that were much larger than it in population (Dublin, Manchester, Bristol). Also possibly Calcutta.

But I 100% agree with the OP sentiments overall.

[MikeNigh]

The rest of PA doesn't denote Philly at all either. If you're driving through it's literally as if you walked through a black hole. Imo it's an intentional black out.

[HappyRider]

Nothing on 276 either. There is Rt. 1 but no sign for Philly.

[2e1m5a]

Hah-my Mom mentions the I-95 signage thing everytime we come back from DC/Baltimore. Even on the NJ Turnpike it says NEW YORK-NORTH; CAMDEN-SOUTH. Like really? Camden? Not the second largest city on the East Coast?

She is originally from Boston and thinks Philly is severely overlooked but I think it adds to the character of our city.

[rotodome]

Originally Posted by 2e1m5a

Hah-my Mom mentions the I-95 signage thing everytime we come back from DC/Baltimore. Even on the NJ Turnpike it says NEW YORK-NORTH; CAMDEN-SOUTH. Like really? Camden? Not the second largest city on the East Coast?

She is originally from Boston and thinks Philly is severely overlooked but I think it adds to the character of our city.

Don't the signs coming out of Baltimore say "95 N Wilmington, New York" haha

I mean I guess technically, 95 coming north out of Baltimore, as one road, doesn't actually go to Philadelphia AND New York as it stands currently.

[MikeNigh]

Originally Posted by 2e1m5a

... Philly is severely overlooked but I think it adds to the character of our city.

I don't think the character one gets from being severely and intentionally overlooked is good. Maybe though the character one gets from being under this situation and standing up and kicking some ass is though.