For decades, traveling north on Route 9 in Cromwell heading to Interstate 91 meant just one thing: motorists took either Exit 20N to Hartford or Exit 20S to New Haven.
But what’s this? Now it’s Exit 29 or 30?
Better get used to it: hundreds of exits on nearly a dozen major highways in Connecticut are slated for new numbering through the end of the decade. At least one, I-395 in eastern Connecticut has been completed, while three more — Routes 2 and 9, and I-691 — are in the midst of the switch. Other roadways, such as Routes 17 and 6, are getting exit numbers that previously did not have them.
The change was mandated by the Federal Highway Administration with the aim of standardizing exit numbering across the country. The system is tied to the state Department of Transportation’s “mile marker” system with exit numbers reflecting the mile at which an exit is located on the roadway.
“We’re not trying to make anyone’s commute more confusing and more difficult,” Josh Morgan, a DOT spokesman, said. “And we’re not picking on any one road or any one part of the state. It is happening all over our state — interstates, all of our state roads.”
The switching of signs is not inconsequential, involving thousands of new and larger signs that also meet federal standards. The replacement also includes stronger support posts, especially those with arms that extend over roadways above motorists.
The cost will easily run into the tens of millions of dollars and will be paid for by a combination of state and federal funds, Morgan said.
Here are 7 things to know about the new exit numbering system:
1. Why change a system when Connecticut residents are familiar with the current numbers?
In addition the creating a national standard, federal regulations point to long-term benefits for drivers.
The system will allow drivers to quickly determine distances to destinations because exit numbers are tied to the mile marker system. Emergency responders can more easily navigate the delivery of services when an incident occurs on a roadway.
And, it will be easier to add future exits without renumbering an entire highway corridor, the DOT’s Morgan said.
2. How was the order of change determined?
In some cases, the switching of exit numbers are timed with larger road construction projects such as those that are now happening on Route 2 and Route 691.
Others are in the queue, scheduled for when signs would need to be replaced because they had exceeded their useful life.
Here is the tentative upcoming schedule for some of the major routes in the state:
Route 2: 2024
Route 8: 2025
Route 15: 2025
I-84: 2028
I-91: 2027
I-95: 2029
I-291: 2025
I-384: 2026
I-691: 2023
3. How will the transition look to drivers?
New exit signs will remain in the familiar white, reflective lettering on a green field. But the new signs will be accompanied by a second one reading “Old Exit” with the previous number so drivers can get accustomed to the change. The second sign will remain for at least two years.
Credit: Chinnapong / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
4. What about driver GPS systems?
The DOT’s Morgan said the state is informing GPS service providers such as Google, Apple, HERE GPS and TomTom when numbers will change on a specific highway.
John Woike / Hartford Courant
(Courant File Photo)5. What is the impact on businesses that may use exit numbers in their marketing?
The “Old Exit” signs will remain for at least two years, giving businesses time to adjust and update advertising materials.
6. How were the number determined?
Mileage marking typically runs from south to north and from west to east.
So, for example, Exit 1 would be for the mile mark 0 to 1.49, rounding to the nearest whole mile. In some cases, the DOT may round up or down to eliminate “suffix” letters or to retain an existing exit number.
“Splits” on off-ramps will not get a separate number or suffix letter.
There will be no Exit 0 in Connecticut, though it is allowed under federal regulations.
7. What will be the impact on traffic during installation of new signs?
The DOT will use electronic message signs to alert motorists of lane closures during construction.
Kenneth R. Gosselin can be reached at kgosselin@courant.com.
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