The northern terminus of US 209 near Kingston, New York is actually on a highway oriented east-west. This marker, just west of the route's start (or end) at NY 199 and US 9W, doesn't have a cardinal designation, unlike other markers on the route. A few hundred feet to the west, the highway makes a sharp turn to the south. Perhaps the cardinal designation was left off from this marker to reduce confusion. After all, west isn't south!
This photo was taken in May 2010.