Why doesn't Illinois put exit numbers on their freeways?

[StogieGuy7]

^ The Tollway is slowly adding them though.  There are now a few starting to pop up on the Tri-State, and I believe I-90 will have them after the rebuild is complete.

Which exits have them on the Tri-State? I was on it today.

A few up on the I-94 section, the entire section from Rosemont down to Hinsdale has gore signs, the I-57 exit.

I was going from Rosemont to Chicago Ridge and don't think I saw any. I haven't been on the I-94 section in a while. I sure hope I-90 will get them.

Exits 1 (Russell Road), 2 (IL-173), 10 (IL-22) have had them for a couple of months now.  They've just popped up at IL-120, IL-176 and IL-60 as well.  There's an exit 8C gore sign on SB I-94 at the Grand Avenue exit in Gurnee, and I would imagine that the rest will be installed this summer.  So, yes, they're showing up with increasing rapidity. 

The question I have is: how will they number the exits south of Lake-Cook, where I-94 follows the "Edens Spur" and the Tri State continues at I-294?  Will they continue the numbering from the WI state line or start over?  There's an argument to be made for either, though continuing the numbering from the state line would make the most sense to me. 

IL-22 (Half Day Road) is Exit 21, not 10 (It's a near miss for same exit number as route number).  The Edens Spur will get I-94 exit numbers while everything south of Lake-Cook will get (and has gotten) I-294 exit numbers (which start in South Holland).  The only question I have is how ISTHA will sign Lake-Cook Road.  Northbound makes sense as Exit 52 (I-294).  Southbound could be either Exit 52 (I-294) while I-294 is Exit 25, or Exit 25B (I-94) while I-294 is Exit 25A.  Either way, Deerfield Road will be Exit 24 (I-94).

Actually, I fat-fingered the typing in my post because I was referring to IL-21 (Milwaukee Avenue) as Exit 10.  I couldn't recall what the exit number was for Half Day Road (IL-22). 

It will be strange and confusing (to some) when the exit number suddenly jumps from the 20's to the 50's!  The average person doesn't think about how the Tri-State goes from being 294 to 94 (two different interstates).  Although following 94 down the Edens Spur would have it make some sense to the layman, I believe that more traffic stays on the Tri-State than cuts off on the Spur. 

[I-39]

The Tri-State (between Lake Cook Road and South Holland) will likely see them installed this year.

They are slowly adding exit numbers to the Addams. They are numbered up to IL-31, and the rest will be added when the new signs are put up as a result of the rebuilding and widening.

[StogieGuy7]

The Tri-State (between Lake Cook Road and South Holland) will likely see them installed this year.

They are slowly adding exit numbers to the Addams. They are numbered up to IL-31, and the rest will be added when the new signs are put up as a result of the rebuilding and widening.

Was passing through today and saw even more exit tabs added on the Tri-State in both directions.  Yes, the exit numbers follow the interstate designations and Lake-Cook road is now Exit 52, Willow Road is 48, etc.  There are tabs popping up all over, so it looks like ISTHA is kicking the program into high gear. 

One out of place question: when in the heck will they increase the damn speed limit on the Tri State????  Even 290 through Schamburg is posted at 60, so a four lane I-94 through Lake Forest and Gurnee is absurd at 55! 

[JamesT456]

The Tri-State (between Lake Cook Road and South Holland) will likely see them installed this year.

They are slowly adding exit numbers to the Addams. They are numbered up to IL-31, and the rest will be added when the new signs are put up as a result of the rebuilding and widening.

Was passing through today and saw even more exit tabs added on the Tri-State in both directions.  Yes, the exit numbers follow the interstate designations and Lake-Cook road is now Exit 52, Willow Road is 48, etc.  There are tabs popping up all over, so it looks like ISTHA is kicking the program into high gear. 

One out of place question: when in the heck will they increase the damn speed limit on the Tri State????  Even 290 through Schamburg is posted at 60, so a four lane I-94 through Lake Forest and Gurnee is absurd at 55!

I notice that also, NB I-294 exit to I-90/I-190 and River Road is Exit 40. I happen to notice it on my way to work.

[StogieGuy7]

OK, here's a good one that I don't know is replicated anywhere else: northbound Tri-State Tollway exit to Lake-Cook Road uses the 294 mileage and is signed as Exit 52; however, southbound uses I-94 mileage and is signed as Exit 25.  One exit, 2 totally different mileage numbers.   

It makes sense in a technical sense because the off-ramp soundbound is still on I-94, while northbound is still on I-294.  But it's a fairly unique arrangement.

[roadman65]

 At least they both got a 2 and a 5 in it.

[Duke87]

With respect to NY, downstate does it, but it is most definitely NOT the norm upstate.  Every non-interstate freeway with exit numbers outside of the NYC metro area and Long Island is either a future interstate or an extension of one.

Even downstate it's not done universally. The Sprain Brook Parkway, Briarcliff-Peekskill Parkway, Bear Mountain Parkway, and Richmond Parkway all lack exit numbers. The Taconic has them on paper but they haven't been signed in decades (were they ever?).

On a technicality, NY 984J and NY 117 both have a single exit that is not numbered, but since there's only one it'd be silly if it were.

Funny enough the Central Westchester Parkway (which is county maintained) also has only one exit northbound and it does have a number: 7A. Southbound there are two exits but they're not numbered.

Suffolk County's CR freeways also lack exit numbers.

[02 Park Ave]

When the Taconic State Parkway had wooden exit signs, the exit number was mounted on the upright portion.

[Pete from Boston]

With respect to NY, downstate does it, but it is most definitely NOT the norm upstate.  Every non-interstate freeway with exit numbers outside of the NYC metro area and Long Island is either a future interstate or an extension of one.

Even downstate it's not done universally. The Sprain Brook Parkway, Briarcliff-Peekskill Parkway, Bear Mountain Parkway, and Richmond Parkway all lack exit numbers. The Taconic has them on paper but they haven't been signed in decades (were they ever?).

On a technicality, NY 984J and NY 117 both have a single exit that is not numbered, but since there's only one it'd be silly if it were.

Funny enough the Central Westchester Parkway (which is county maintained) also has only one exit northbound and it does have a number: 7A. Southbound there are two exits but they're not numbered.

Suffolk County's CR freeways also lack exit numbers.

NY 304 lacks them.