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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW After 10-hour wait for wind, Dustin Johnson leads British ... From the council: City's responsible budgeting yields benefits ... Two wheels to freedom: Phoenix camp helps kids with disabilities learn to ride ... After 10-hour wait for wind, Dustin Johnson leads British ... From the council: City's responsible budgeting yields benefits ... Two wheels to freedom: Phoenix camp helps kids with disabilities learn to ride ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Mile markers follow different rules for state, U.S. roadways Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 25, 2014 at 2:00 AM Updated Dec 25, 2014 at 11:48 PM Posted Dec. 25, 2014 at 2:00 AM Updated Dec 25, 2014 at 11:48 PM » Social News It appears that mileage markers (indicating distance from the Oregon/California state line) increment up as we travel from south to north on Interstate 5. Why do mileage markers on Highway 101 on the Oregon Coast increment down when traveling from south to north and vice versa for I-5? — Bob W., by email Well, Bob, since it's the holiday season, we'll answer your question even though we answered a similar question in 2008. Consider it our gift to you — or maybe it's your gift to us, since we don't have to research it again. In any case, back in the day we got an answer from none other than Gary Leaming, a spokesman for the Oregon Department of Transportation then and now. Here's the answer: ... Oregon highways, such as Highway 99 and Highway 101, have mileage markers that run north to south, growing larger the closer they are to the California border. But Interstate 5's markers run the opposite way, starting with Mile Marker 1 just this side of our southern border. It wasn't always so. When the interstate was first built, the numbers ran north to south, just like the numbers on the other highways in the state. But on April 20, 1971, the then-Oregon State Highway Department sent out a memo noting that the numbering would be reversed, "due to a recent directive from the Federal Highway Administration." Leaming tells us federal and state highway officials made the decision so that all states would follow the same south-to-north measurements on the interstate system. For interstates that cross the country, the mileage increases from west to east. There's never been a directive from the feds to follow the same pattern with state highways, so they vary from place to place. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 25, 2014 at 2:00 AM Updated Dec 25, 2014 at 11:48 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501