Massachusetts highway exit numbers will soon be changing

Highway exit numbers across the state of Massachusetts are scheduled to change.

According to Jacquelyn Goddard of MassDOT, there is a federal mandate to have states adopt mileage-based exit numbering.

Exit number conversions will take place east to west or north to south.

The project will be paid for through Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funds. HSIP funding carries a 90/10 split, which means that 90% of the project will be funded through federal funds and the remaining 10% will be funded through state highway funds.

MassDOT is conducting an extensive public outreach campaign to notify the public of the upcoming conversion including 12 meetings that are expected to take place. Outreach includes in-person and online communication strategies that will give the public ample opportunity to learn about the project and ask questions prior to construction.

A map will be created to notify drivers of what number the exit number is changing to.

Exit numbers will stay up for about 2 years alongside the new mileage-based signs.

Sign are expected to change in the Summer of 2020.