Massachusetts milepost exit numbering conversion contract

[vdeane]

Question: Why did they not replace the Mass Pike exit numbers when they replaced the signs, instead choosing to replace the signs with the old exits and put stickers over the numbers?

The Pike sign replacement was planned during the initial renumbering effort from 2015-16, and when the renumbering was postponed, the sign replacement continued with existing exit numbers.

Curious that they did not go the other way and install the signs with the new exit numbers, but overlay with the old numbers until the renumbering became official.

I suspect that they hoped they could just quietly bury the project and never have it come up again.  As we all know, that didn't happen.  Still, this is the same MassDOT that didn't give exit numbers to I-84 at I-90 when the Turnpike went AET, despite the booths being the only reason there weren't numbers there before.  Such behavior is not atypical, sadly.

[SectorZ]

Google Maps has already pre-deceased the sequential exit numbers on 495. It's funny because Apple Maps takes a few months to get them updated.

[hotdogPi]

Google Maps has already pre-deceased the sequential exit numbers on 495. It's funny because Apple Maps takes a few months to get them updated.

As well as some (but only some!) of I-93. Sometimes it's even labeled sequential in one direction and mileage-based in the other direction for the same exit. Look at sequential exits 43 and 47 in particular.

[SectorZ]

Google Maps has already pre-deceased the sequential exit numbers on 495. It's funny because Apple Maps takes a few months to get them updated.

As well as some (but only some!) of I-93. Sometimes it's even labeled sequential in one direction and mileage-based in the other direction for the same exit. Look at sequential exits 43 and 47 in particular.

They can jump the gun here but I can't get them to remove fictitious roads within a six-month time period. Go figure.

[fwydriver405]

Google Maps has already pre-deceased the sequential exit numbers on 495. It's funny because Apple Maps takes a few months to get them updated.

As well as some (but only some!) of I-93. Sometimes it's even labeled sequential in one direction and mileage-based in the other direction for the same exit. Look at sequential exits 43 and 47 in particular.

They can jump the gun here but I can't get them to remove fictitious roads within a six-month time period. Go figure.

As of the writing of this reply, Waze has not yet changed any numbers on I-495 and I-93 yet.

However, on Google Maps:

• I noticed that the former HOV left exit NB to the airport and South Station after new exit 16 (old exit 20) is labelled as "exit 17". The last time I checked, there was no mention of that exit ever receiving a number at all.
• 20 B SB is still listed even though most of the tunnel exits are already renumbered.

[roadman]

However, on Google Maps:

• I noticed that the former HOV left exit NB to the airport and South Station after new exit 16 (old exit 20) is labelled as "exit 17". The last time I checked, there was no mention of that exit ever receiving a number at all.
• 20 B SB is still listed even though most of the tunnel exits are already renumbered.

The left HOV/South Station exit on I-93 north has never had an exit number, nor will it receive one under this project.  Google is in error here.

None of the I-93 O'Neill Tunnel exits have been renumbered yet.  That work hasn't started yet.

[bob7374]

Google Maps has already pre-deceased the sequential exit numbers on 495. It's funny because Apple Maps takes a few months to get them updated.

As well as some (but only some!) of I-93. Sometimes it's even labeled sequential in one direction and mileage-based in the other direction for the same exit. Look at sequential exits 43 and 47 in particular.

They can jump the gun here but I can't get them to remove fictitious roads within a six-month time period. Go figure.

MassDOT has joined the jump the gun party of I-495, here's a recent tweet about one of the sign replacement projects, though it may be correct by the end of the lane closures in late May:

"In #Tewksbury I-495 SB overhead sign work; most lanes closed exit 94 to exit 92 starting 8pm, Thursday, 4/29, thru 5am, Friday, 5/30. For 15 min period, 4/30, 495 SB all lanes closed, starting 12:01am"

[astralentity]

Going to Springfield/Chicopee yesterday, it was pretty cool seeing the new exit numbers for the first time.

Is I-391 up next at some point?

[Roadgeekteen]

Going to Springfield/Chicopee yesterday, it was pretty cool seeing the new exit numbers for the first time.

Is I-391 up next at some point?

I-391 is really short, so maybe sequential works there. Mileage-based would lead to a lot of alphabet soup.

[astralentity]

Going to Springfield/Chicopee yesterday, it was pretty cool seeing the new exit numbers for the first time.

Is I-391 up next at some point?

I-391 is really short, so maybe sequential works there. Mileage-based would lead to a lot of alphabet soup.

Figured I'd ask.

[SectorZ]

Going to Springfield/Chicopee yesterday, it was pretty cool seeing the new exit numbers for the first time.

Is I-391 up next at some point?

I-391 is really short, so maybe sequential works there. Mileage-based would lead to a lot of alphabet soup.

Figured I'd ask.

I-291, I-391, MA 213, and the Lowell Connector are all remaining status quo due to their short length and somewhat close-already exit numbers.

[Roadgeekteen]

Going to Springfield/Chicopee yesterday, it was pretty cool seeing the new exit numbers for the first time.

Is I-391 up next at some point?

I-391 is really short, so maybe sequential works there. Mileage-based would lead to a lot of alphabet soup.

Figured I'd ask.

I-291, I-391, MA 213, and the Lowell Connector are all remaining status quo due to their short length and somewhat close-already exit numbers.

Has the state confirmed that?

[shadyjay]

I-291, I-391, MA 213, and the Lowell Connector are all remaining status quo due to their short length and somewhat close-already exit numbers.

Has the state confirmed that?

Yes.... see the FAQ section of the newmassexits.com site:

WHY ARE ROUTE 213, I-291, I-391 AND THE LOWELL CONNECTOR BEING EXCLUDED FROM THIS PROJECT?
Route 213, I-291, and I-391 exit numbers will not be changing as those corridors are short and have exits that are generally spaced in 1-mile increments.  The Lowell Connector exit numbers will not be changing as there are no mile markers currently posted along the corridor.

[kramie13]

Curious that they did not go the other way and install the signs with the new exit numbers, but overlay with the old numbers until the renumbering became official.

This sign on I-495 South in Mansfield suggests that it was fabricated with its mile-based exit number, then the sequential number was plastered on top of it:
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.0026139,-71.2184469,3a,15y,137.95h,100.55t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1siRzH2_6YPqyMliNNS7fE4Q!2e0!5s20190901T000000!7i16384!8i8192

[Roadgeekteen]

Will roads with unnumbered exits like US 1 and US 44 get exit numbers?

[kramie13]

Google Maps has already pre-deceased the sequential exit numbers on 495. It's funny because Apple Maps takes a few months to get them updated.

I've noticed this twice in the past month.  Google Maps told me to take exit 19B for Rte. 24 North from I-495 South (its new number will actually be 19A), and to take exit 33A for I-95 North (which will be correct).

[kramie13]

Will roads with unnumbered exits like US 1 and US 44 get exit numbers?

No, they will not.

Side note - once upon a time, MA 146 did NOT have exit numbers.  Why did Mass DOT add exit numbers to this route?  I recall them being added around the time US 44 was moved onto its current alignment, which doesn't have exit numbers.

[Roadgeekteen]

Will roads with unnumbered exits like US 1 and US 44 get exit numbers?

No, they will not.

Side note - once upon a time, MA 146 did NOT have exit numbers.  Why did Mass DOT add exit numbers to this route?  I recall them being added around the time US 44 was moved onto its current alignment, which doesn't have exit numbers.

US 1 should have numbers. It's a substantial freeway and a former interstate.

[jp the roadgeek]

Will roads with unnumbered exits like US 1 and US 44 get exit numbers?

No, they will not.

Side note - once upon a time, MA 146 did NOT have exit numbers.  Why did Mass DOT add exit numbers to this route?  I recall them being added around the time US 44 was moved onto its current alignment, which doesn't have exit numbers.

US 1 should have numbers. It's a substantial freeway and a former interstate.

As should MA 57 and MA 1A.  MA 57 connects to US 5 and in spirit to I-91 at the other end of the South End Bridge.  MA 1A connects to I-93.  Also wouldn't hurt to add them to US 5 through West Springfield.  And why not number the MA 2 exits in Greenfield?

[Roadgeekteen]

Will roads with unnumbered exits like US 1 and US 44 get exit numbers?

No, they will not.

Side note - once upon a time, MA 146 did NOT have exit numbers.  Why did Mass DOT add exit numbers to this route?  I recall them being added around the time US 44 was moved onto its current alignment, which doesn't have exit numbers.

US 1 should have numbers. It's a substantial freeway and a former interstate.

As should MA 57 and MA 1A.  MA 57 connects to US 5 and in spirit to I-91 at the other end of the South End Bridge.  MA 1A connects to I-93.  Also wouldn't hurt to add them to US 5 through West Springfield.  And why not number the MA 2 exits in Greenfield?

All exits should be numbered unless it's just one interchange on a non freeway.

[bob7374]

Will roads with unnumbered exits like US 1 and US 44 get exit numbers?

No, they will not.

Side note - once upon a time, MA 146 did NOT have exit numbers.  Why did Mass DOT add exit numbers to this route?  I recall them being added around the time US 44 was moved onto its current alignment, which doesn't have exit numbers.

US 1 should have numbers. It's a substantial freeway and a former interstate.

As should MA 57 and MA 1A.  MA 57 connects to US 5 and in spirit to I-91 at the other end of the South End Bridge.  MA 1A connects to I-93.  Also wouldn't hurt to add them to US 5 through West Springfield.  And why not number the MA 2 exits in Greenfield?

All exits should be numbered unless it's just one interchange on a non freeway.

When word got out that the MUTCD was being revised it was suggested that it would require states to number all their exits. Did language to the effect get into the draft document that was posted a few months back?

[Roadgeekteen]

Will roads with unnumbered exits like US 1 and US 44 get exit numbers?

No, they will not.

Side note - once upon a time, MA 146 did NOT have exit numbers.  Why did Mass DOT add exit numbers to this route?  I recall them being added around the time US 44 was moved onto its current alignment, which doesn't have exit numbers.

US 1 should have numbers. It's a substantial freeway and a former interstate.

As should MA 57 and MA 1A.  MA 57 connects to US 5 and in spirit to I-91 at the other end of the South End Bridge.  MA 1A connects to I-93.  Also wouldn't hurt to add them to US 5 through West Springfield.  And why not number the MA 2 exits in Greenfield?

All exits should be numbered unless it's just one interchange on a non freeway.

When word got out that the MUTCD was being revised it was suggested that it would require states to number all their exits. Did language to the effect get into the draft document that was posted a few months back?

States would have to number all exits? Even interchanges on non freeways like MA 9?

[abqtraveler]

Will roads with unnumbered exits like US 1 and US 44 get exit numbers?

No, they will not.

Side note - once upon a time, MA 146 did NOT have exit numbers.  Why did Mass DOT add exit numbers to this route?  I recall them being added around the time US 44 was moved onto its current alignment, which doesn't have exit numbers.

US 1 should have numbers. It's a substantial freeway and a former interstate.

As should MA 57 and MA 1A.  MA 57 connects to US 5 and in spirit to I-91 at the other end of the South End Bridge.  MA 1A connects to I-93.  Also wouldn't hurt to add them to US 5 through West Springfield.  And why not number the MA 2 exits in Greenfield?

All exits should be numbered unless it's just one interchange on a non freeway.

When word got out that the MUTCD was being revised it was suggested that it would require states to number all their exits. Did language to the effect get into the draft document that was posted a few months back?

States would have to number all exits? Even interchanges on non freeways like MA 9?

If the requirement to number all interchanges were to be imposed, DOTs would get into a huge frenzy on splitting hairs on what types of junctions are considered "interchanges" versus "intersections." New Jersey, for example, has a lot of intersections with "jug-handle" ramps to eliminate left turn movements at the intersection. Would those ramps be required to have exit numbers under such a requirement? On US-1 in Southport, Connecticut (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.1395155,-73.2790365,148m/data=!3m1!1e3), there's a ramp from US-1 SB that leads to Pequot Avenue and Mill Hill Road (Peqout Avenue passes under US-1 a few hundred yards west of this ramp). Would that be considered an interchange and require an exit number?  Then there are New York's parkways, where exit numbers are assigned to both at-grade and grade-separated junctions.

The requirement to number every "interchange" on non-freeways can get very unwieldy based on how each state defines what constitutes an "interchange."

[Roadgeekteen]

Will roads with unnumbered exits like US 1 and US 44 get exit numbers?

No, they will not.

Side note - once upon a time, MA 146 did NOT have exit numbers.  Why did Mass DOT add exit numbers to this route?  I recall them being added around the time US 44 was moved onto its current alignment, which doesn't have exit numbers.

US 1 should have numbers. It's a substantial freeway and a former interstate.

As should MA 57 and MA 1A.  MA 57 connects to US 5 and in spirit to I-91 at the other end of the South End Bridge.  MA 1A connects to I-93.  Also wouldn't hurt to add them to US 5 through West Springfield.  And why not number the MA 2 exits in Greenfield?

All exits should be numbered unless it's just one interchange on a non freeway.

When word got out that the MUTCD was being revised it was suggested that it would require states to number all their exits. Did language to the effect get into the draft document that was posted a few months back?

States would have to number all exits? Even interchanges on non freeways like MA 9?

If the requirement to number all interchanges were to be imposed, DOTs would get into a huge frenzy on splitting hairs on what types of junctions are considered "interchanges" versus "intersections." New Jersey, for example, has a lot of intersections with "jug-handle" ramps to eliminate left turn movements at the intersection. Would those ramps be required to have exit numbers under such a requirement? On US-1 in Southport, Connecticut (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.1395155,-73.2790365,148m/data=!3m1!1e3), there's a ramp from US-1 SB that leads to Pequot Avenue and Mill Hill Road (Peqout Avenue passes under US-1 a few hundred yards west of this ramp). Would that be considered an interchange and require an exit number?  Then there are New York's parkways, where exit numbers are assigned to both at-grade and grade-separated junctions.

The requirement to number every "interchange" on non-freeways can get very unwieldy based on how each state defines what constitutes an "interchange."

Maybe we should only require it on freeways.

[PHLBOS]

I'm never going to get used to my exit being exit 35.

Such was originally Exits 53-54.  It became Exits 56 (E-W) circa 1962 & Exits 19 A-B* circa 1987-88. 
*19 B-C when the Kendrick St. ramps opened a few years ago.

Will roads with unnumbered exits like US 1 and US 44 get exit numbers?

No, they will not.

Side note - once upon a time, MA 146 did NOT have exit numbers.  Why did Mass DOT add exit numbers to this route?  I recall them being added around the time US 44 was moved onto its current alignment, which doesn't have exit numbers.

The expressway/freeway segments of MA 2 didn't have exit numbers at all either until sometime during the 1990s.

US 1 should have numbers. It's a substantial freeway and a former interstate.

Only the Tobin Bridge & the Northeast Expressway portions of US 1 were a former Interstate (I-95).  The rest of it, where it's not concurrent w/I-93 or I-95, is predominantly not controlled-access. 

One could argue whether the short, limited-access highway segments of US 1, or any US or state route for that matter should receive exit numbers for their interchanges; but such, IMHO, is another topic for another thread.