Interstate 95 signing work

[shadyjay]

So, with the opening of this interchange, I'm guessing MassDOT wants motorists to take the new Exit 25 to reach the "Route 128 Station".  That seems to reason that any reconstruction of the I-95/I-93-128 interchange would involve a flyover coming in to the left at some point near the present University Ave exit on I-95/128 North. 

ConnDOT recently added a 2-lane left exit flyover on I-91 to reach the Charter Oak Bridge in Hartford... I wonder if something similar could be snuck in, coming in on the left side of 128, shifting the existing 4 lanes over to the right to accomodate such a ramp.  The farthest lane right could become an "Exit only" ramp for University Ave/present Route 128 Station exit.  Certainly leaves the door open for such a configuration, and with this ramp open, there wouldn't be a need for I-95 North traffic to access University Ave via that exit... instead, that traffic could take this new exit.

But that's all probably several years away, given the present big ticket interchange items ongoing (I-90/I-495, I-90/Allston Viaduct, etc).

[southshore720]

So, with the opening of this interchange, I'm guessing MassDOT wants motorists to take the new Exit 25 to reach the "Route 128 Station".  That seems to reason that any reconstruction of the I-95/I-93-128 interchange would involve a flyover coming in to the left at some point near the present University Ave exit on I-95/128 North. 

ConnDOT recently added a 2-lane left exit flyover on I-91 to reach the Charter Oak Bridge in Hartford... I wonder if something similar could be snuck in, coming in on the left side of 128, shifting the existing 4 lanes over to the right to accomodate such a ramp.  The farthest lane right could become an "Exit only" ramp for University Ave/present Route 128 Station exit.  Certainly leaves the door open for such a configuration, and with this ramp open, there wouldn't be a need for I-95 North traffic to access University Ave via that exit... instead, that traffic could take this new exit.

But that's all probably several years away, given the present big ticket interchange items ongoing (I-90/I-495, I-90/Allston Viaduct, etc).

Many have been concerned that Dedham St./University Ave. are going to be clogged due to people wanting to avoid the 93/95 interchange.  I'm sure people will try it...until they realize that the gauntlet of traffic lights (that favor the plaza) on University Ave. does not make this a huge time saver!

[Ted$8roadFan]

I'm sure some people heading north on 95 will use Exit 25 to go to the train station. But the traffic on Dedham Street will likely grow as some use the exit to avoid the congestion at the 95N to 95N loop ramp, which is getting worse. Between the lights and the growing number of businesses in the area (hello, Topgolf), it may be easier to stay on 95.

[bob7374]

Restarting this thread. According to the MassDOT ProjectInfo site, a new contract for replacing signage along I-95/MA 128 between Lexington and Reading is now under design. No date for when the project is to begin. The signs were last replaced around 2010. Interestingly enough the page includes this comment: "The Notice to Proceed to begin work on the contract has been issued (as of 01/24/2025)" though it also says "No contracts associated with this project."

[shadyjay]

Still unbelievable that MassDOT changes out signage in 15-year intervals.  Meanwhile, portions of I-95 in CT still have signage in Phase III (reflective background button copy) installed in 1993, which when installed, replaced the last of the original blue all-text signage dating back to the turnpike's opening in 1958. 

I was on I-95/128 a couple weeks ago between Lexington and Reading and, outside of faded/damaged I-93 shields, the signs looked fine to me.  I was previously told however that the reason Mass is so proactive to replace signs is due to the loss of reflectivity after 10 years.  Or something of that nature.

[Rothman]

Still unbelievable that MassDOT changes out signage in 15-year intervals.  Meanwhile, portions of I-95 in CT still have signage in Phase III (reflective background button copy) installed in 1993, which when installed, replaced the last of the original blue all-text signage dating back to the turnpike's opening in 1958. 

I was on I-95/128 a couple weeks ago between Lexington and Reading and, outside of faded/damaged I-93 shields, the signs looked fine to me.  I was previously told however that the reason Mass is so proactive to replace signs is due to the loss of reflectivity after 10 years.  Or something of that nature.

Wonder if issues with The Big Dig also play a part in that short interval.

[jp the roadgeek]

Still unbelievable that MassDOT changes out signage in 15-year intervals.  Meanwhile, portions of I-95 in CT still have signage in Phase III (reflective background button copy) installed in 1993, which when installed, replaced the last of the original blue all-text signage dating back to the turnpike's opening in 1958. 

I was on I-95/128 a couple weeks ago between Lexington and Reading and, outside of faded/damaged I-93 shields, the signs looked fine to me.  I was previously told however that the reason Mass is so proactive to replace signs is due to the loss of reflectivity after 10 years.  Or something of that nature.

Wonder if issues with The Big Dig also play a part in that short interval.

Meanwhile, CTDOT still has signs from the 1980's on parts of I-91 and I-95.

[shadyjay]

I-95 in CT has nothing from the 1980s... oldest is Exit 54-59 and Exits 68-70 (all from 1993).  I-84 in CT has some from the early/mid 1980s in E Hartford/Manchester. 

There are, however, numerous signs on I-95 that were installed in the 2000s that have lost reflectivity... at night barely being readable.  Not sure if these were a defect or not, but they're pretty bad.  Some are NB in New Haven (Exits 46-47), others are down in Milford area. 

When I was on MA 3 a couple weeks ago, I saw the same issue with some signs around Braintree.  They're being replaced.  The barely readable onces in CT probably won't get replaced until 2040 or so... unless they're going to be part of a spot replacement when it comes time to renumber I-95's CT exits.   We shall see.

[roadman65]

I-95 in CT has nothing from the 1980s... oldest is Exit 54-59 and Exits 68-70 (all from 1993).  I-84 in CT has some from the early/mid 1980s in E Hartford/Manchester. 

There are, however, numerous signs on I-95 that were installed in the 2000s that have lost reflectivity... at night barely being readable.  Not sure if these were a defect or not, but they're pretty bad.  Some are NB in New Haven (Exits 46-47), others are down in Milford area. 

When I was on MA 3 a couple weeks ago, I saw the same issue with some signs around Braintree.  They're being replaced.  The barely readable onces in CT probably won't get replaced until 2040 or so... unless they're going to be part of a spot replacement when it comes time to renumber I-95's CT exits.   We shall see.

Yet the old white on blue CT Turnpike signs lasted forever when they were present in that state.

[kramie13]

Restarting this thread. According to the MassDOT ProjectInfo site, a new contract for replacing signage along I-95/MA 128 between Lexington and Reading is now under design. No date for when the project is to begin. The signs were last replaced around 2010. Interestingly enough the page includes this comment: "The Notice to Proceed to begin work on the contract has been issued (as of 01/24/2025)" though it also says "No contracts associated with this project."

Good.  No more exit tabs and gore signs with "plated over" exit numbers that look tacky and ugly.

I was on I-95/128 a couple weeks ago between Lexington and Reading and, outside of faded/damaged I-93 shields, the signs looked fine to me.  I was previously told however that the reason Mass is so proactive to replace signs is due to the loss of reflectivity after 10 years.  Or something of that nature.

I was on the Mass Pike a few weeks ago, driving at night, and almost every mile marker going east from the NY state line to about Westfield was unreadable.  Not sure what reflective material is being used but the current mile markers were just installed 7 years ago.