highways varies widely from state to state. Each state decides how to number its own routes. Some maintain systems similar to the national road systems, based on a grid. Others number highways regionally, with similar numbers occurring in the same area of the state. Still others have no discernible system, with no connection between a route's location and its number. In addition to numbers, route numbers also use suffixed letters and banners appended to the tops of signs to indicate alternate routes to the main highway. For example, U.S. Route 1A is the name given to many highways which are either older alignments of U.S. Route 1 or provide an alternate route either around or through a city along U.S. Route 1's route. Banners are sometimes used to indicate alternate routes. Words like "Alternate", "Business", or "Bypass" can be added to a sign to indicate such a situation. Canada The Trans-Canada Highway system is made up of a series of provincially maintained highways, and is one of only two systems (the other being the Crowsnest Highway) that uses route numbering that spans multiple provinces, albeit not across the entire country. The provincial highways are assigned numbers by their respective provinces. Alberta All provincial highways are 'Primary Highways'. They are divided into two series', and sub-series'. 1-216 Series — core highway network Hwy 1-100 — intercity Hwy 201, 216 — orbital routes 500-986 Series — local highways Hwy 500-699 — west–east routes Hwy 700-899 — south–north routes 900 and X series — potential realignments and extensions British Columbia Owing to the mountainous terrain in the province, route numbers are assigned on a mostly ad hoc basis, and vary between west–east and south–north routes. They currently span from 1-118, except for Hwy 395 which is a counterpart of US 395. Some routes are grouped in numerical patterns (e.g. Highways 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, and 19 are north–south routes with values increasing by increments of two moving West). British Columbia formerly had "400 series" of highways similar to Ontario, but that scheme was dropped in 1973. Manitoba Provincial Trunk Highways (PTH) are divided into two series'. PTH 1-199 — primary highways PTH 1-89 — intercity PTH 100, 101, 110 — loop routes PR 200-699 — secondary highways New Brunswick Provincial highways are divided into three series'. Route 1-99 — arterial highways Route 100-199 — collector highways Route 200-999 — local highways Newfoundland