Massachusetts milepost exit numbering conversion contract

[Roadgeekteen]

It's worth noting that the idea of renumbering I-290 as an extension of I-395 is an actual MassDOT proposal that I could have sworn was mentioned earlier in this thread (along with the dual mileposts), but search hasn't turned anything up.

Is there a reference to this actual proposal?

I received an email from MassDOT in response to a comment I made to them regarding the continuation of I-395's numbers on  I-290, this is posted on my I-290 exit list page:
"To minimize potential driver confusion, we are continuing the I-395 numbering along I-290 to replicate the present exit numbering, which is continuous from Webster to Marlborough.   As part of this project, the existing mileposts on I-290 will be replaced with "˜dual' mile markers showing mileage for both I-395 and I-290.

MassDOT may consider re-designating I-290 as an extension of I-395 at a later date based on driver response to the new exit numbering and the "˜dual' mile markers.  However, any such re-designation would have to be reviewed by AASHTO and approved by FHWA before it could actually be implemented."

Why would it be confusing to number the highways differently?

It's not, it's just a lame excuse to continue the incorrect system already in place.

I can see how it could be seen as confusing.  While us roadgeeks are more number oriented than most and would think of I-395 and I-290 as separate roads, the traveling public probably sees it as one road that happens to change numbers for unknown (to them) reasons.

Heck, around here there are people that refer to the at-grade divided highway NY 787 as "interstate 787" because it extends I-787 to the south (and that's good by the standards of upstate NY; around Rochester, people don't even know what interstates even are, everything is "route X", and I-590 and NY 590 are considered the same road).  Never underestimate how much something that's obvious to use is not obvious to Joe Public who couldn't care less about the history of the roads or that CT didn't want a x90 route back when I-395 was designated.

If they want to renumber it go ahead, just they better not orphan I-190 or I'm going to cry.

Put away your Kleenex. They could run I-190 concurrently through Worcester to the Mass Pike.

Ending a route on an overlap is really inelegant, though.  Plus then they'd have to renumber the exits again.

That's why I would prefer just renumbering it I-595. No need to renumber the exits then.

[The Ghostbuster]

Interstates 290 and 395 should not have their numbers changed. The way I see it, it is completely unnecessary.

[Roadgeekteen]

Interstates 290 and 395 should not have their numbers changed. The way I see it, it is completely unnecessary.

I agree

[SectorZ]

I-495 still has some weird errors after conversion

MA 2 at I-495 N/B has the old exit number at the gore, along with "Old exit 27 A-B" underneath.

Exit 102-103 (the double decker bridge) in Lawrence N/B has "Old exit 44-54" underneath (instead of 44-45). How they messed that one up is beyond me.

Also lots of improper font sizes. Lots of series B where there is tons of room and lots of series D (or maybe E) that is so big the new exit number is sticking off the edge of the sign. Most of the series B was used on rather new exit signs that were made to accommodate the three digit numbers from Lawrence northward.

[vdeane]

I got some photos of I-91 south of I-90 on a daytrip last weekend.  They're on my site now: https://nysroads.com/photos.php?route=i91&state=MA

[Roadgeekteen]

What is still left to convert?

[Ben114]

What is still left to convert?

I-290 and I-395.

[Roadgeekteen]

What is still left to convert?

I-290 and I-395.

Oh boy

[fwydriver405]

Drove thru 495 this Saturday to Lowell. Some of the exit signs still have the old exit numbers along with "OLD EXIT XX" on them... a la Maine back in 2004-ish where a few of the exits for a short time on the Maine Turnpike were posted with the old number along with "FORMERLY EXIT XX" plaques below them:

[roadman65]

https://goo.gl/maps/Wxh3PKufZGYzcRUM7

Is the new Exit 3 part of the milepost conversion?

[Great Lakes Roads]

https://goo.gl/maps/Wxh3PKufZGYzcRUM7

Is the new Exit 3 part of the milepost conversion?

No, and that was part of an older scheme that renumbered the exits on MA Route 25 back in 2007. Prior to that, the I-495 exit was numbered 1 and MA 25 exits were numbered 1 and 2 respectively (now exits 3 and 10 respectively). Basically, they were "bumped" up a number to avoid confusion with I-495 and MA 25's exits 1s.

[kramie13]

I just got an email from MassDOT, indicating that the I-495 exit number conversion is complete, and that work on I-395 and I-290 will begin in August.

It also mentions that new signs are being installed on I-290, yet they're being fabricated with the sequential numbers then overlaid with the mileage numbers.

That's so wasteful!  This also happened on Route 24!

[Roadgeekteen]

I just got an email from MassDOT, indicating that the I-495 exit number conversion is complete, and that work on I-395 and I-290 will begin in August.

It also mentions that new signs are being installed on I-290, yet they're being fabricated with the sequential numbers then overlaid with the mileage numbers.

That's so wasteful!  This also happened on Route 24!

MassDot wasting money once again lol what else is new

[mvak36]

I just got an email from MassDOT, indicating that the I-495 exit number conversion is complete, and that work on I-395 and I-290 will begin in August.

It also mentions that new signs are being installed on I-290, yet they're being fabricated with the sequential numbers then overlaid with the mileage numbers.

That's so wasteful!  This also happened on Route 24!

This is what I saw in the email. In my opinion, I don't think it's wasteful. Probably just bad luck with the timing of the I-290 sign replacement project.

The remaining two corridors, Interstate 290 and Interstate 395, will be converted to milepost-based exit numbering in August 2021. Note that the overhead guide signs and sign structures currently being installed on I-290 are a part of a separate MassDOT project. As this project was designed and begun well before the start of the Statewide Exit Renumbering Project, these signs have been fabricated with the current sequential exit numbers. Once the sign replacement work is complete, all of the exit numbers will then be overlaid with the new milepost-based numbers.

[Roadgeekteen]

I just got an email from MassDOT, indicating that the I-495 exit number conversion is complete, and that work on I-395 and I-290 will begin in August.

It also mentions that new signs are being installed on I-290, yet they're being fabricated with the sequential numbers then overlaid with the mileage numbers.

That's so wasteful!  This also happened on Route 24!

This is what I saw in the email. In my opinion, I don't think it's wasteful. Probably just bad luck with the timing of the I-290 sign replacement project.

The remaining two corridors, Interstate 290 and Interstate 395, will be converted to milepost-based exit numbering in August 2021. Note that the overhead guide signs and sign structures currently being installed on I-290 are a part of a separate MassDOT project. As this project was designed and begun well before the start of the Statewide Exit Renumbering Project, these signs have been fabricated with the current sequential exit numbers. Once the sign replacement work is complete, all of the exit numbers will then be overlaid with the new milepost-based numbers.

Yeah just unfortunate. The signs may have already been made.

[hotdogPi]

MassDOT is spending almost nothing on exit number conversion; I seem to remember 2.4 million for the entire state. A new set of signs costs much more than replacing the exit number only; not much extra is spent by doing them separately.

[vdeane]

I just got an email from MassDOT, indicating that the I-495 exit number conversion is complete, and that work on I-395 and I-290 will begin in August.

It also mentions that new signs are being installed on I-290, yet they're being fabricated with the sequential numbers then overlaid with the mileage numbers.

That's so wasteful!  This also happened on Route 24!

This is what I saw in the email. In my opinion, I don't think it's wasteful. Probably just bad luck with the timing of the I-290 sign replacement project.

The remaining two corridors, Interstate 290 and Interstate 395, will be converted to milepost-based exit numbering in August 2021. Note that the overhead guide signs and sign structures currently being installed on I-290 are a part of a separate MassDOT project. As this project was designed and begun well before the start of the Statewide Exit Renumbering Project, these signs have been fabricated with the current sequential exit numbers. Once the sign replacement work is complete, all of the exit numbers will then be overlaid with the new milepost-based numbers.

I'm sure they could have put a change order in.  Or had more foresight.

In any case... in the contractor taking the month of July off or something?  What's the point of waiting for August when the rest of the state is done?

[Roadgeekteen]

MassDOT is spending almost nothing on exit number conversion; I seem to remember 2.4 million for the entire state. A new set of signs costs much more than replacing the exit number only; not much extra is spent by doing them separately.

It just looks tacky having them taped on.

[PHLBOS]

What's wrong with exit 0?

For reasons unknown; many states, not just Massachusetts, have an aversion/reluctance to using Exit 0.

Had MassDOT allowed the use of Exit 0; I-291, I-391 & the Lowell Connector might have been included in the statewide exit renumbering project.

[SectorZ]

What's wrong with exit 0?

For reasons unknown; many states, not just Massachusetts, have an aversion/reluctance to using Exit 0.

Had MassDOT allowed the use of Exit 0; I-291, I-391 & the Lowell Connector might have been included in the statewide exit renumbering project.

Don't forget the lame excuse that the Lowell Connector wasn't changed because it doesn't have posted mile markers.

[hotdogPi]

Don't forget the lame excuse that the Lowell Connector wasn't changed because it doesn't have posted mile markers.

The Lowell Connector shouldn't be changed anyway. It would result in alphabet soup.

[SectorZ]

Don't forget the lame excuse that the Lowell Connector wasn't changed because it doesn't have posted mile markers.

The Lowell Connector shouldn't be changed anyway. It would result in alphabet soup.

I agree, and that should have been the reason for it (like their reason for MA 213, I-291, and I-391).

[paul02474]

MassDOT is spending almost nothing on exit number conversion; I seem to remember 2.4 million for the entire state. A new set of signs costs much more than replacing the exit number only; not much extra is spent by doing them separately.

It just looks tacky having them taped on.

It seems that the tacky, sloppy looking exit renumbering took place in locations where there is an active sign replacement project. The worst of it seems to be the stretch of I-95 between I-93 in Reading and the 128 split in Peabody, and on I-495 north of the Mass Pike.

[bob7374]

I've added photos taken along I-495 South between Amesbury and Andover of the exit renumbering project courtesy of Vinh Lam, both of the successful:


and the not so successful efforts:


Photos between I-93 and US 3 are now posted, all can be reached at:
https://malmeroads.net/mass21c/neexitrenumbering.html#i495signs3

[Pete from Boston]

So how are the exit numbers determined relative to the milepost? Because on Route 2, exit 129 is pretty much at mile 130, exit 128 is within mile 129, and missing a great opportunity, exit 127 is within mile 128 (and at Route 128).

Is there a logic that I am missing, or did some bitter MassDOT engineers refuse to give 128 any encouragement?