Interstate 81 in Syracuse

[Rothman]

Not sure how reliable of a source it is, but it being reported on Facebook saying that Jefferson County exit renumbering will finally begin tomorrow.

By whom?  Why not link to the FB post itself?

[Beltway]

I was going to post an April Fools Day post here but the 1st has passed.

[ElishaGOtis]

Not sure how reliable of a source it is, but it being reported on Facebook saying that Jefferson County exit renumbering will finally begin tomorrow.

By whom?  Why not link to the FB post itself?

Sauce: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AtyAWi7mj/?mibextid=wwXIfr

[cockroachking]

Either that "news agency" has access to GuideSign, or they got those graphics from someone at NYSDOT. Seems legit to me.

(personal opinion)

[cu2010]

https://www.newzjunky.com/dot-continues-conversion-to-mileage-based-exit-numbering-along-interstate-i-81/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAQ70lpjbGNrBDvSVmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHm-P1F5_AiE4Mt0drguvEbQGRu0QWYfJhJ5B1QWVEbA4dk5DBO5aaaJoH69S_aem_34iqXvjjRQys9Z4IW0YC7w

[The Ghostbuster]

When other New York long-range Interstates are converted to mileage-based exit numbers, is it likely it will take this long to finish the conversions?

[Rothman]

Eh, here we go: https://www.localsyr.com/news/future-of-81/jefferson-county-i-81-exits-to-get-mileage-based-signs/amp/

NYSDOT's been handing out similar graphics to news agencies as the conversion has rolled out (limped along?).

(personal opinion emphasized)

[vdeane]

I saw something interesting on Facebook last night.  NYSDOT is now posting travel advisories for I-690 exclusively with new exit numbers.  While I wouldn't be surprised if contract 4 has gotten far enough for old exits 14-17 to have updated to new exits 17-19C, they also called exit 13 "exit 16B" (I thought new exit 16 was going to be Crouse/Irving with existing 13 going away and no A/B stuff) and I've seen mentions of "exit 14" (old 10) on 511.  What's the current state of I-690's exit numbers?  I checked the 511 cameras today, but they're a mix of pointed in the wrong direction and just too blurry to see.

[Rothman]

I saw something interesting on Facebook last night.  NYSDOT is now posting travel advisories for I-690 exclusively with new exit numbers.  While I wouldn't be surprised if contract 4 has gotten far enough for old exits 14-17 to have updated to new exits 17-19C, they also called exit 13 "exit 16B" (I thought new exit 16 was going to be Crouse/Irving with existing 13 going away and no A/B stuff) and I've seen mentions of "exit 14" (old 10) on 511.  What's the current state of I-690's exit numbers?  I checked the 511 cameras today, but they're a mix of pointed in the wrong direction and just too blurry to see.

Well, just clinched I-690 again for you to confirm that Townsend is indeed Exit 16B and all exits have been updated.  I didn't notice any inconsistencies like there have been on I-81 and I-481 between guide signs over the course of Phase 1.

(personal opinion emphasized)

[vdeane]

Well, just clinched I-690 again for you to confirm that Townsend is indeed Exit 16B and all exits have been updated.  I didn't notice any inconsistencies like there have been on I-81 and I-481 between guide signs over the course of Phase 1.

Very interesting.  I had thought that it would take until contract 6 for the ones on the western side of downtown to change, but I guess they figured that having the exits jump around in such a close area would be too confusing (and I had seen on 511 that there had been some sign structure work in contract 4).  I wonder if they went ahead and added exit numbers to the I-81 ramps; if they did, that would explain why the contract 6 plans have West Street as exit 15A in both directions, and maybe even the exit 16B number, assuming the WB ramp to I-81 south is exit 16A.  Might be time to head over to the TM forum and have them switch I-690 over.

My assumptions based on what they previously reported as the above:
9->14
10->14
11-12->15A
I-81 North WB and I-81 South EB->15B
13->16B
I-81 South WB->16A
14->17
15->18
16S-N->19A-B
17->19C

[Rothman]

Well, just clinched I-690 again for you to confirm that Townsend is indeed Exit 16B and all exits have been updated.  I didn't notice any inconsistencies like there have been on I-81 and I-481 between guide signs over the course of Phase 1.

Very interesting.  I had thought that it would take until contract 6 for the ones on the western side of downtown to change, but I guess they figured that having the exits jump around in such a close area would be too confusing (and I had seen on 511 that there had been some sign structure work in contract 4).  I wonder if they went ahead and added exit numbers to the I-81 ramps; if they did, that would explain why the contract 6 plans have West Street as exit 15A in both directions, and maybe even the exit 16B number, assuming the WB ramp to I-81 south is exit 16A.  Might be time to head over to the TM forum and have them switch I-690 over.

My assumptions based on what they previously reported as the above:
9->14
10->14
11-12->15A
I-81 North WB and I-81 South EB->15B
13->16B
I-81 South WB->16A
14->17
15->18
16S-N->19A-B
17->19C

I-81 exits are still unnumbered.

For the range you're talking about (I can't remember which exits were the old numbers...took some really bad photos today where I caught a lot of the old exit signs, but I'm too lazy to go through them right now):

Headed EB, current exits:

14 = NY 298 to I-81 North Bear St
15/15B = West St (15), W Genesee St (15B) Downtown
17 = Teall
18 = Midler
19A-B-C = NY 635, Thompson Rd, Bridge St

WB:

19B-A: NY 635, Thompson Road
18: Midler
17: Teall
16B: Townsend St
15A: West St
14: N Geddes St

[vdeane]

One other thing I don't think we've touched on here is that there are a lot of construction points in 511 NY for the project.  All the northern ones (including a whole bunch of new lane striping/overnight roadwork at every exit) are for through May, while the southern ones are through September.  I assume those are the estimated completion dates for contracts 1 and 2.  I wonder which one will see the designation swap; with the through lanes open at both interchanges, it feels like something that could come at any time.

[Rothman]

One other thing I don't think we've touched on here is that there are a lot of construction points in 511 NY for the project.  All the northern ones (including a whole bunch of new lane striping/overnight roadwork at every exit) are for through May, while the southern ones are through September.  I assume those are the estimated completion dates for contracts 1 and 2.  I wonder which one will see the designation swap; with the through lanes open at both interchanges, it feels like something that could come at any time.

I believe NYSDOT is still waiting on some congressional action before they proceed with the route switchover.  I think they're all set with AASHTO, though.

(personal opinion emphasized)

[Beltway]

Given how they define a 'megaproject,' I guess a road diet counts as a bold visionary intervention now.

 This is a Superhighway Diet.

[vdeane]

One other thing I don't think we've touched on here is that there are a lot of construction points in 511 NY for the project.  All the northern ones (including a whole bunch of new lane striping/overnight roadwork at every exit) are for through May, while the southern ones are through September.  I assume those are the estimated completion dates for contracts 1 and 2.  I wonder which one will see the designation swap; with the through lanes open at both interchanges, it feels like something that could come at any time.

I believe NYSDOT is still waiting on some congressional action before they proceed with the route switchover.  I think they're all set with AASHTO, though.

(personal opinion emphasized)

Considering everything going on federally, I'm curious if that will even happen this year at all.  Didn't Trump threaten to veto all legislation that passes Congress if he doesn't get certain priority items of his passed?  I wonder what will happen if the designation swap still hasn't happened as of when the viaduct is due to close.

(personal opinion)

[Rothman]

One other thing I don't think we've touched on here is that there are a lot of construction points in 511 NY for the project.  All the northern ones (including a whole bunch of new lane striping/overnight roadwork at every exit) are for through May, while the southern ones are through September.  I assume those are the estimated completion dates for contracts 1 and 2.  I wonder which one will see the designation swap; with the through lanes open at both interchanges, it feels like something that could come at any time.

I believe NYSDOT is still waiting on some congressional action before they proceed with the route switchover.  I think they're all set with AASHTO, though.

(personal opinion emphasized)

Considering everything going on federally, I'm curious if that will even happen this year at all.  Didn't Trump threaten to veto all legislation that passes Congress if he doesn't get certain priority items of his passed?  I wonder what will happen if the designation swap still hasn't happened as of when the viaduct is due to close.

(personal opinion)

I certainly don't feel any certainty about it at this point.  Frankly, I think NYSDOT is more focused on lining up the remaining contracts and getting them let than worrying about trying to get Congress to do anything right now for the route swap.  And then, petitioning congressional representatives requires all sorts of way-high approvals anyway.

So, we'll end up with an entirely reconfigured system, but the route numbering could be quite interesting, I suppose.

(personal opinion emphasized)

[webny99]

Well, some positive news for the I-81 renumbering in Jefferson County at least:

https://www.wwnytv.com/2026/04/03/changes-coming-route-81-exits-jefferson-county/

[Rothman]

Well, some positive news for the I-81 renumbering in Jefferson County at least:

https://www.wwnytv.com/2026/04/03/changes-coming-route-81-exits-jefferson-county/

Look 10 posts up from yours...

[webny99]

Well, some positive news for the I-81 renumbering in Jefferson County at least:

https://www.wwnytv.com/2026/04/03/changes-coming-route-81-exits-jefferson-county/

Look 10 posts up from yours...

My link also includes a full list of the new exit numbers, for anyone that cares... 

[Rothman]

Well, some positive news for the I-81 renumbering in Jefferson County at least:

https://www.wwnytv.com/2026/04/03/changes-coming-route-81-exits-jefferson-county/

Look 10 posts up from yours...

Mine also includes a full list of the new exit numbers, for anyone that cares... 

Look 12 posts up from the last one...dude...it's even on the same page as this...

[webny99]

Well, some positive news for the I-81 renumbering in Jefferson County at least:

https://www.wwnytv.com/2026/04/03/changes-coming-route-81-exits-jefferson-county/

Look 10 posts up from yours...

Mine also includes a full list of the new exit numbers, for anyone that cares... 

Look 12 posts up from the last one...dude...it's even on the same page as this...

Well, you wanted sources, so you now have another... 

[PColumbus73]

Well, some positive news for the I-81 renumbering in Jefferson County at least:

https://www.wwnytv.com/2026/04/03/changes-coming-route-81-exits-jefferson-county/

Look 10 posts up from yours...

Mine also includes a full list of the new exit numbers, for anyone that cares... 

Look 12 posts up from the last one...dude...it's even on the same page as this...

Well, you wanted sources, so you now have another... 

"It's not mine so it doesn't count" - Rothman... maybe

[Rothman]

Well, some positive news for the I-81 renumbering in Jefferson County at least:

https://www.wwnytv.com/2026/04/03/changes-coming-route-81-exits-jefferson-county/

Look 10 posts up from yours...

Mine also includes a full list of the new exit numbers, for anyone that cares... 

Look 12 posts up from the last one...dude...it's even on the same page as this...

Well, you wanted sources, so you now have another... 

"It's not mine so it doesn't count" - Rothman... maybe

Thought it was cu2010's...

[vdeane]

I did find this bit of the article interesting:

The DOT expects to complete the renumbering work before the end of the year, but in that time short term lane and shoulder closures will be needed.

Hopefully that's just "we don't have a specific end date" and not "it will actually take the whole construction season to do".  It would be nice if they could be finished before the summer travel season.

One other thing I don't think we've touched on here is that there are a lot of construction points in 511 NY for the project.  All the northern ones (including a whole bunch of new lane striping/overnight roadwork at every exit) are for through May, while the southern ones are through September.  I assume those are the estimated completion dates for contracts 1 and 2.  I wonder which one will see the designation swap; with the through lanes open at both interchanges, it feels like something that could come at any time.

I believe NYSDOT is still waiting on some congressional action before they proceed with the route switchover.  I think they're all set with AASHTO, though.

(personal opinion emphasized)

Considering everything going on federally, I'm curious if that will even happen this year at all.  Didn't Trump threaten to veto all legislation that passes Congress if he doesn't get certain priority items of his passed?  I wonder what will happen if the designation swap still hasn't happened as of when the viaduct is due to close.

(personal opinion)

I certainly don't feel any certainty about it at this point.  Frankly, I think NYSDOT is more focused on lining up the remaining contracts and getting them let than worrying about trying to get Congress to do anything right now for the route swap.  And then, petitioning congressional representatives requires all sorts of way-high approvals anyway.

So, we'll end up with an entirely reconfigured system, but the route numbering could be quite interesting, I suppose.

(personal opinion emphasized)

If they're really insistent on perpetuating Congress being involved in numbering decisions, the easiest way to do it would probably be to sneak it into the BASICS Act.

(personal opinion)

[kramie13]

Is there a reason why after the Sandy Creek/Lacona exit going north, the exit renumbering was substantially delayed?  I'm sure it gave drivers whiplash seeing the exit numbers go from 121 to 125 to 131, then suddenly 38, 39, 40.  Anyone driving from Binghamton up to the Canadian border in the past year drove by two exit 38's, two exit 50's, and two exit 52's.