Massachusetts milepost exit numbering conversion contract

[The Ghostbuster]

Interstates 290 and 395 should not have their numbers changed. The way I see it, it is completely unnecessary.

[Roadgeekteen]

Interstates 290 and 395 should not have their numbers changed. The way I see it, it is completely unnecessary.

I agree

[SectorZ]

I-495 still has some weird errors after conversion

MA 2 at I-495 N/B has the old exit number at the gore, along with "Old exit 27 A-B" underneath.

Exit 102-103 (the double decker bridge) in Lawrence N/B has "Old exit 44-54" underneath (instead of 44-45). How they messed that one up is beyond me.

Also lots of improper font sizes. Lots of series B where there is tons of room and lots of series D (or maybe E) that is so big the new exit number is sticking off the edge of the sign. Most of the series B was used on rather new exit signs that were made to accommodate the three digit numbers from Lawrence northward.

[vdeane]

I got some photos of I-91 south of I-90 on a daytrip last weekend.  They're on my site now: https://nysroads.com/photos.php?route=i91&state=MA

[Roadgeekteen]

What is still left to convert?

[Ben114]

What is still left to convert?

I-290 and I-395.

[Roadgeekteen]

What is still left to convert?

I-290 and I-395.

Oh boy

[fwydriver405]

Drove thru 495 this Saturday to Lowell. Some of the exit signs still have the old exit numbers along with "OLD EXIT XX" on them... a la Maine back in 2004-ish where a few of the exits for a short time on the Maine Turnpike were posted with the old number along with "FORMERLY EXIT XX" plaques below them:

[roadman65]

https://goo.gl/maps/Wxh3PKufZGYzcRUM7

Is the new Exit 3 part of the milepost conversion?

[Great Lakes Roads]

https://goo.gl/maps/Wxh3PKufZGYzcRUM7

Is the new Exit 3 part of the milepost conversion?

No, and that was part of an older scheme that renumbered the exits on MA Route 25 back in 2007. Prior to that, the I-495 exit was numbered 1 and MA 25 exits were numbered 1 and 2 respectively (now exits 3 and 10 respectively). Basically, they were "bumped" up a number to avoid confusion with I-495 and MA 25's exits 1s.

[kramie13]

I just got an email from MassDOT, indicating that the I-495 exit number conversion is complete, and that work on I-395 and I-290 will begin in August.

It also mentions that new signs are being installed on I-290, yet they're being fabricated with the sequential numbers then overlaid with the mileage numbers.

That's so wasteful!  This also happened on Route 24!

[Roadgeekteen]

I just got an email from MassDOT, indicating that the I-495 exit number conversion is complete, and that work on I-395 and I-290 will begin in August.

It also mentions that new signs are being installed on I-290, yet they're being fabricated with the sequential numbers then overlaid with the mileage numbers.

That's so wasteful!  This also happened on Route 24!

MassDot wasting money once again lol what else is new

[mvak36]

I just got an email from MassDOT, indicating that the I-495 exit number conversion is complete, and that work on I-395 and I-290 will begin in August.

It also mentions that new signs are being installed on I-290, yet they're being fabricated with the sequential numbers then overlaid with the mileage numbers.

That's so wasteful!  This also happened on Route 24!

This is what I saw in the email. In my opinion, I don't think it's wasteful. Probably just bad luck with the timing of the I-290 sign replacement project.

The remaining two corridors, Interstate 290 and Interstate 395, will be converted to milepost-based exit numbering in August 2021. Note that the overhead guide signs and sign structures currently being installed on I-290 are a part of a separate MassDOT project. As this project was designed and begun well before the start of the Statewide Exit Renumbering Project, these signs have been fabricated with the current sequential exit numbers. Once the sign replacement work is complete, all of the exit numbers will then be overlaid with the new milepost-based numbers.

[Roadgeekteen]

I just got an email from MassDOT, indicating that the I-495 exit number conversion is complete, and that work on I-395 and I-290 will begin in August.

It also mentions that new signs are being installed on I-290, yet they're being fabricated with the sequential numbers then overlaid with the mileage numbers.

That's so wasteful!  This also happened on Route 24!

This is what I saw in the email. In my opinion, I don't think it's wasteful. Probably just bad luck with the timing of the I-290 sign replacement project.

The remaining two corridors, Interstate 290 and Interstate 395, will be converted to milepost-based exit numbering in August 2021. Note that the overhead guide signs and sign structures currently being installed on I-290 are a part of a separate MassDOT project. As this project was designed and begun well before the start of the Statewide Exit Renumbering Project, these signs have been fabricated with the current sequential exit numbers. Once the sign replacement work is complete, all of the exit numbers will then be overlaid with the new milepost-based numbers.

Yeah just unfortunate. The signs may have already been made.

[hotdogPi]

MassDOT is spending almost nothing on exit number conversion; I seem to remember 2.4 million for the entire state. A new set of signs costs much more than replacing the exit number only; not much extra is spent by doing them separately.

[vdeane]

I just got an email from MassDOT, indicating that the I-495 exit number conversion is complete, and that work on I-395 and I-290 will begin in August.

It also mentions that new signs are being installed on I-290, yet they're being fabricated with the sequential numbers then overlaid with the mileage numbers.

That's so wasteful!  This also happened on Route 24!

This is what I saw in the email. In my opinion, I don't think it's wasteful. Probably just bad luck with the timing of the I-290 sign replacement project.

The remaining two corridors, Interstate 290 and Interstate 395, will be converted to milepost-based exit numbering in August 2021. Note that the overhead guide signs and sign structures currently being installed on I-290 are a part of a separate MassDOT project. As this project was designed and begun well before the start of the Statewide Exit Renumbering Project, these signs have been fabricated with the current sequential exit numbers. Once the sign replacement work is complete, all of the exit numbers will then be overlaid with the new milepost-based numbers.

I'm sure they could have put a change order in.  Or had more foresight.

In any case... in the contractor taking the month of July off or something?  What's the point of waiting for August when the rest of the state is done?

[Roadgeekteen]

MassDOT is spending almost nothing on exit number conversion; I seem to remember 2.4 million for the entire state. A new set of signs costs much more than replacing the exit number only; not much extra is spent by doing them separately.

It just looks tacky having them taped on.

[PHLBOS]

What's wrong with exit 0?

For reasons unknown; many states, not just Massachusetts, have an aversion/reluctance to using Exit 0.

Had MassDOT allowed the use of Exit 0; I-291, I-391 & the Lowell Connector might have been included in the statewide exit renumbering project.

[SectorZ]

What's wrong with exit 0?

For reasons unknown; many states, not just Massachusetts, have an aversion/reluctance to using Exit 0.

Had MassDOT allowed the use of Exit 0; I-291, I-391 & the Lowell Connector might have been included in the statewide exit renumbering project.

Don't forget the lame excuse that the Lowell Connector wasn't changed because it doesn't have posted mile markers.

[hotdogPi]

Don't forget the lame excuse that the Lowell Connector wasn't changed because it doesn't have posted mile markers.

The Lowell Connector shouldn't be changed anyway. It would result in alphabet soup.

[SectorZ]

Don't forget the lame excuse that the Lowell Connector wasn't changed because it doesn't have posted mile markers.

The Lowell Connector shouldn't be changed anyway. It would result in alphabet soup.

I agree, and that should have been the reason for it (like their reason for MA 213, I-291, and I-391).

[paul02474]

MassDOT is spending almost nothing on exit number conversion; I seem to remember 2.4 million for the entire state. A new set of signs costs much more than replacing the exit number only; not much extra is spent by doing them separately.

It just looks tacky having them taped on.

It seems that the tacky, sloppy looking exit renumbering took place in locations where there is an active sign replacement project. The worst of it seems to be the stretch of I-95 between I-93 in Reading and the 128 split in Peabody, and on I-495 north of the Mass Pike.

[bob7374]

I've added photos taken along I-495 South between Amesbury and Andover of the exit renumbering project courtesy of Vinh Lam, both of the successful:


and the not so successful efforts:


Photos between I-93 and US 3 are now posted, all can be reached at:
https://malmeroads.net/mass21c/neexitrenumbering.html#i495signs3

[Pete from Boston]

So how are the exit numbers determined relative to the milepost? Because on Route 2, exit 129 is pretty much at mile 130, exit 128 is within mile 129, and missing a great opportunity, exit 127 is within mile 128 (and at Route 128).

Is there a logic that I am missing, or did some bitter MassDOT engineers refuse to give 128 any encouragement?

[Roadgeekteen]

So how are the exit numbers determined relative to the milepost? Because on Route 2, exit 129 is pretty much at mile 130, exit 128 is within mile 129, and missing a great opportunity, exit 127 is within mile 128 (and at Route 128).

Is there a logic that I am missing, or did some bitter MassDOT engineers refuse to give 128 any encouragement?

Do they always round down?