Bill would match N.Y. highway exits with mile numbers

[vdeane]

A few I can think of off the top of my head:
-NYSTA loves Clearview; NYSDOT is likely allergic to it
-NYSTA rarely replaces signs, even during major construction; NYSDOT periodically does sign rehabs even if the signs are good and always replaces after major construction
-NYSTA doesn't post county and town line signs
-NYSTA doesn't post reference markers
-NYSDOT doesn't consistently post tenth mile markers
-NYSTA switched to the more dotted lines for merge lanes but still leaves the unstriped part, essentially using both systems.
-NYSTA has a much lower threshold to repair roads/bridges than NYSDOT, resulting in an overall better maintained system; they also avoid lane closures during construction and most work zones are smaller than NYSDOT ones

That way there would only have to be one major expense in signage spending when (if ever) the NYSTA is dissolved and the whole system goes Free.

Don't hold your breath.  This was supposed to happen in 1995.

[machias]

-NYSTA doesn't post county and town line signs

But by god they'll post every time you cross into the "Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor".  There must be two dozen signs on the Thruway stating this. County and town line signs could be navigational aids, but it's more important to stroke someone's ego with the Erie Canal signs.

[vdeane]

I think most of the county lines have some sign near the line anyways, usually the dial 911 ones.

[roadman]

-NYSTA doesn't post county and town line signs

But by god they'll post every time you cross into the "Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor".  There must be two dozen signs on the Thruway stating this. County and town line signs could be navigational aids, but it's more important to stroke someone's ego with the Erie Canal signs.

National heritage corridors, areas, etc. are normally established by Congressional mandate (we have a couple of these in Massachusetts that are heavily signed).  So NYSTA probably had no choice but to put the signs up (and likely got a bunch of earmark money to do it as well).

[Brandon]

-NYSTA doesn't post county and town line signs

But by god they'll post every time you cross into the "Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor".  There must be two dozen signs on the Thruway stating this. County and town line signs could be navigational aids, but it's more important to stroke someone's ego with the Erie Canal signs.

National heritage corridors, areas, etc. are normally established by Congressional mandate (we have a couple of these in Massachusetts that are heavily signed).  So NYSTA probably had no choice but to put the signs up (and likely got a bunch of earmark money to do it as well).

Plus, IIRC, the New York State Thruway Authority owns the Erie Canal.

[machias]

I think most of the county lines have some sign near the line anyways, usually the dial 911 ones.

The thing is, the Thruway authority doesn't post the name of the county. The National Weather Service issues weather watches and warning by county. If you're not familiar with upstate N.Y. and you hear a blizzard warning or a tornado warning or something, you could be driving right into the weather and not know it. And that's just one reason to post county line signs.

[amroad17]

As far as the Thruway goes, I would just use the current milemarkers as exit numbers.  This also includes the Berkshire section (exit B3 would become exit B23, for example).  I consider the Thruway its own entity.  Drivers have been used to increasing exit numbers from Albany to Ripley for 55+ years.  Why change now?   As far as "free 90",  just use the current milemarkers there also.  NYC is its own world.  For I-87, keep the same exit numbers on the Major Deegan.  Restart at the Thruway (clarification helps) to where I-87 exits the Thruway (148) and continue the numbers onto the Northway to Canada.  For some of the 3dis, sequential could be used where there are many exits closely spaced (I-690 in Syracuse) instead of having exits such as 14A-B-C-D in the downtown area (also known as the x64-Virginia way ).

I had an interesting e-mail conversation with NYSDOT last week regarding the new mileposts they put on the NY 5 freeway near Syracuse. They started the mileposts at mile "0" where the NY 5 freeway begins at NY 174. Technically, they should start around 215, since NY 5 begins at the NY-Pa. Line near Ripley. NYSDOT completely agreed and even quoted the supplement to the 2009 MUTCD, whereas NYS changed a "should" to "shall". They said they made the region aware.

When NYSDOT switches to distance-based interchange numbers, I get the impression that they're going to do it "all the way". I would not be surprised if "free 90" gets new mileposts based on the entire length of I-90 in the state and ditto for the Northway. What the Thruway does technically should fall under the 2009 MUTCD, but the Thruway does their own thing most of the time.

That would be interesting to see.  A sign like...

                            EXIT 216
                            Camillus
                            Warners
                             1 MILE

[vdeane]

What's the typical time for the assembly to do anything with a bill they get from the senate?  This one hasn't seen any action since it was first referred on June 12, so I think it's dead.

[Jim]

What's the typical time for the assembly to do anything with a bill they get from the senate?  This one hasn't seen any action since it was first referred on June 12, so I think it's dead.

At the moment, they're all far too busy calling me at dinner time, ringing my doorbell, and filling my mailbox with junk.

[rickmastfan67]

ringing my doorbell

Maybe you should put up a sign above your doorbell saying that anybody coming onto your property for "political reasons" will be considered a trespasser on private property and the police will be called?  Might stop that part at least.

[jemacedo9]

This past weekend, I just drove up the US 15 freeway near Corning, and they have started re-numbering the exits there to mile-based, as well as adding mile markers.  This happened sometime after mid-June, which was the last time I drove that stretch.  So far, only the gore signs have been replaced...none of the exit tabs or any other auxiliary signs updated.  I drove this late in the evening so I didn't get any good pics.  There wasn't any "OLD EXIT ##" signage posted under the gore signs.

OLD EXIT 1:  CR 5, Presho = NEW EXIT 6
OLD EXIT 2:  NY 417, Erwin / Addison = NEW EXIT 8
OLD EXIT 3:  NY 417, Gang Mills / Painted Post = NEW EXIT 11
OLD EXIT 4A-B:  I-86 / NY 17 EAST / TO NY 352, Corning / Binghamton = NEW EXITS 13A-B

In addition, the SB exit for Robert Dann Drive, which is on the old US 15 alignment/bridge from Painted Post, under the flyover ramps, is newly numbered as EXIT 12.

[NE2]

Holy crap. Nice.

Maybe they'll sign it as I-99 once the freeway is done.

[machias]

This past weekend, I just drove up the US 15 freeway near Corning, and they have started re-numbering the exits there to mile-based, as well as adding mile markers.  This happened sometime after mid-June, which was the last time I drove that stretch.  So far, only the gore signs have been replaced...none of the exit tabs or any other auxiliary signs updated.  I drove this late in the evening so I didn't get any good pics.  There wasn't any "OLD EXIT ##" signage posted under the gore signs.

OLD EXIT 1:  CR 5, Presho = NEW EXIT 6
OLD EXIT 2:  NY 417, Erwin / Addison = NEW EXIT 8
OLD EXIT 3:  NY 417, Gang Mills / Painted Post = NEW EXIT 11
OLD EXIT 4A-B:  I-86 / NY 17 EAST / TO NY 352, Corning / Binghamton = NEW EXITS 13A-B

In addition, the SB exit for Robert Dann Drive, which is on the old US 15 alignment/bridge from Painted Post, under the flyover ramps, is newly numbered as EXIT 12.

I've updated upstatenyroads.com.  Inside sources tell me the auxiliary signs will say FORMERLY EXIT xx, like the signs around Exit 56 on Interstate 86.

[vdeane]

nysroads.com was updated last week (thanks to the Binghamton meet).  The plans have "formerly exit x" signs on the main signs identical to the ones for NY 17's (current) exit 57.

[SidS1045]

Which other states still haven't adopted mileage-based exits?

Most of the New England ones: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. I think that's it.
(plus some select roads in other states, like the New Jersey Turnpike, and the x64's in Virginia)

According to the Massachusetts MUTCD supplement, they will be converting once sign-replacement projects in the current cycle are complete.

[froggie]

I've inquired with VTrans...they're going to attempt to hold off as long as possible but they have slowly started to formulate a plan to convert.  It'll likely be a "last-minute" conversion, however.

[Alps]

So far, only the gore signs have been replaced...none of the exit tabs or any other auxiliary signs updated.

Does not sound like the best plan. "Okay, I want exit 2. Whoops, Exit 8. 2 should be coming up soon."

[amroad17]

This past weekend, I just drove up the US 15 freeway near Corning, and they have started re-numbering the exits there to mile-based, as well as adding mile markers.  This happened sometime after mid-June, which was the last time I drove that stretch.  So far, only the gore signs have been replaced...none of the exit tabs or any other auxiliary signs updated.  I drove this late in the evening so I didn't get any good pics.  There wasn't any "OLD EXIT ##" signage posted under the gore signs.

OLD EXIT 1:  CR 5, Presho = NEW EXIT 6
OLD EXIT 2:  NY 417, Erwin / Addison = NEW EXIT 8
OLD EXIT 3:  NY 417, Gang Mills / Painted Post = NEW EXIT 11
OLD EXIT 4A-B:  I-86 / NY 17 EAST / TO NY 352, Corning / Binghamton = NEW EXITS 13A-B

In addition, the SB exit for Robert Dann Drive, which is on the old US 15 alignment/bridge from Painted Post, under the flyover ramps, is newly numbered as EXIT 12.

If NYSDOT was going to implement this, US 15 (future I-99) would be a good place to do it.

[Duke87]

Delaware hasn't converted either but that's easy to miss because all three interstates are short and have a decent interchange frequency. I-95 also fools you because there is no exit 2, and the gap between 1 and 3 is about twice that between 3 and 4, and that between 1 and the state line. Of course, by mileage those exits should actually be 2, 6, and 8. Meanwhile, DE 1's exit numbers are kilometer based! Goes up to 166 but the road is only 103 miles long.

As for remaining states converting, Connecticut is going to change I-395 over as part of an upcoming sign replacement project.

[roadman]

Which other states still haven't adopted mileage-based exits?

Most of the New England ones: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. I think that's it.
(plus some select roads in other states, like the New Jersey Turnpike, and the x64's in Virginia)

According to the Massachusetts MUTCD supplement, they will be converting once sign-replacement projects in the current cycle are complete.

According to my information, MassDOT plans to start converting exit numbers on a route by route basis once sign replacement projects in specific corridors are completed (or where new signs on a specific route are twelve years old or less).  At present, expect new exit numbers on most shorter routes (i.e. I-84, I-291, I-391) starting in early 2016, with the full state to be converted by late 2021 or mid 2022.

[rickmastfan67]

This past weekend, I just drove up the US 15 freeway near Corning, and they have started re-numbering the exits there to mile-based, as well as adding mile markers.  This happened sometime after mid-June, which was the last time I drove that stretch.  So far, only the gore signs have been replaced...none of the exit tabs or any other auxiliary signs updated.  I drove this late in the evening so I didn't get any good pics.  There wasn't any "OLD EXIT ##" signage posted under the gore signs.

OLD EXIT 1:  CR 5, Presho = NEW EXIT 6
OLD EXIT 2:  NY 417, Erwin / Addison = NEW EXIT 8
OLD EXIT 3:  NY 417, Gang Mills / Painted Post = NEW EXIT 11
OLD EXIT 4A-B:  I-86 / NY 17 EAST / TO NY 352, Corning / Binghamton = NEW EXITS 13A-B

In addition, the SB exit for Robert Dann Drive, which is on the old US 15 alignment/bridge from Painted Post, under the flyover ramps, is newly numbered as EXIT 12.

Just updated OSM.

[shadyjay]

I've inquired with VTrans...they're going to attempt to hold off as long as possible but they have slowly started to formulate a plan to convert.  It'll likely be a "last-minute" conversion, however.

I would think the VT conversion would be pretty simple.  Not many exits... and in fact, not a single exit has been added since the completion of 89, 91, and 93. 

[froggie]

True, no new exits, although they've looked into a new interchange on I-89 at VT 116.  I think, as with New York, it's just resistance to change with VTrans and exit numbers...

[Janko Dialnice]

NH should be quite easy to convert.
On the Everett Turnpike up to Exit 11, they exit numbers are all +/- 1 of the mileposts. Exit 12 will become Exit 15. Exit 13 will become Exit 17.
On I-293, if I recall, the only exit number that does not line up is Exit 7 (NH 3A North).
I-393 needs almost no adjustment, since its exits are +/- 1 of the mileposts.
I-93, I-95 and the Spaulding need to be completely renumbered, but that should not be that difficult to do.

[PHLBOS]

Delaware hasn't converted either but that's easy to miss because all three interstates are short and have a decent interchange frequency. I-95 also fools you because there is no exit 2,

If memory serves, there was plans for an Exit 2 interchange with a proposed but unbuilt highway but it never materialized.

Meanwhile, DE 1's exit numbers are kilometer based! Goes up to 166 but the road is only 103 miles long.

When portions of that road originally opened, it was indeed mile-marker based but it changed over to the metric (kilometer) based numbers about a year later.  One has to wonder if the DE 1 exit numbers will change back to mile-marker based ones when I-95/295/495 change over?