Should exits on New York's Interstates be renumbered to correspond to mile markers? (Albany: live in)

[droc31]

Currently, the exits on our interstates are numbered in numeric order with the lowest numbers being east and south and the highest being north and west. This numbering goes against the system used in other states where the exit numbers correspond to mile markers on a given interstate with the westernmost and southernmost exits being the lowest. For instance, the current Exit #41 on I-90 for Seneca Falls/Clyde would become Exit #175, and Exit #36 for Interstate 81 would change to Exit #212. One argument against this renumbering is that there are a high concentration of interchanges on Interstate 87 north of New York City. This issue could be resolved by numbering such exits within a given mile 15A, 15B, 15C and so on like the exits are on Interstate 70 near St. Louis. Another reason for this renumbering is the abundance of Exit #As in relatively rural stretches of interstate (as these exits were likely added after the interstates were completed) One example is Exit 48A to Alleghany Rd., which if I had to guess was added due to the growth of Darien Lake as a theme park and performing arts center.

[ki0eh]

The Thruway is mileposted from NYC so in the opposite sense as usual highways for about 2/3 of its length.

I-99 in NYS has mile numbered exits so NYSDOT is dipping a toe into those waters.

(I-99 in NY is in the Steuben County towns of Lindley and Erwin. Although most NY State residents have likely never heard of even that county, I'm tapping on a product developed in the Town of Erwin right now, and odds are so are you.)

[ContraPagan]

Originally Posted by droc31

Currently, the exits on our interstates are numbered in numeric order with the lowest numbers being east and south and the highest being north and west. This numbering goes against the system used in other states where the exit numbers correspond to mile markers on a given interstate with the westernmost and southernmost exits being the lowest. For instance, the current Exit #41 on I-90 for Seneca Falls/Clyde would become Exit #175, and Exit #36 for Interstate 81 would change to Exit #212. One argument against this renumbering is that there are a high concentration of interchanges on Interstate 87 north of New York City. This issue could be resolved by numbering such exits within a given mile 15A, 15B, 15C and so on like the exits are on Interstate 70 near St. Louis. Another reason for this renumbering is the abundance of Exit #As in relatively rural stretches of interstate (as these exits were likely added after the interstates were completed) One example is Exit 48A to Alleghany Rd., which if I had to guess was added due to the growth of Darien Lake as a theme park and performing arts center.

How would that work for the Northway, and I-90 east/west of Exit 24, where the Thruway changeover occurs between I-87 and I-90? The mileage starts from 0 when you get on the Northway (I-87) going north from Exit 24.

It's fine the way it is.

[droc31]

I think it's time to retire the thruway system entirely because logistically, it makes no sense. Many people I know who live in Western and Central New York don't even use the Thruway to travel to New York City, instead going south on 390 or 81 into Pennsylvania and cutting east on 380/80 through Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Assigning mileages between two independent interstates is not only confusing but also misleading to out-of-state travelers who think it's 496 miles from Ripley to Canaan (where I-90 enters Massachusetts). I've always laughed at the mileage sign about 2 miles past the toll booths on I-90 East where it reads: New York City 494. In reality, that distance is about 60-70 miles shorter by way of Route 17, I-81, I-380, and I-80. As far as Interstate 87, Exit #1 should be the first after I-87's southern terminus in Bronx and continue northward by milepost to the current Exit #43, which would be reassigned as Exit #333 for Champlain. No more Northway/Thruway split or having to pay tolls to drive south on I-87 from Albany to say, Catskill or Kingston. There are enough tolls from the Tappan Zee Bridge southward. I-90 from the 87 split westward could remain tolled as the renamed New York Turnpike with toll barriers at various points between widely spaced exits. (This way someone won't have to pay an extra $1.50 or $2.00 to go a half-mile further to their exit in a suburban or urban section of I-90.)

[ki0eh]

I'm sure the Thruway Authority would rather re-milepost according to Interstate numbering than give up their roads and tollbooths, one doesn't necessarily follow from the other (there are part-tolled part-not numbered Interstates in PA, IL, IN, OH, etc.).

Possibly there had been enough thoughts about kilometric numbering to delay action at critical decision points, at least in the past. One might wonder what it says about USA that public metrication seems less likely to happen now vs. 40 years ago.

[VA Yankee]

Originally Posted by ki0eh

I'm sure the Thruway Authority would rather re-milepost according to Interstate numbering than give up their roads and tollbooths, one doesn't necessarily follow from the other (there are part-tolled part-not numbered Interstates in PA, IL, IN, OH, etc.).

Possibly there had been enough thoughts about kilometric numbering to delay action at critical decision points, at least in the past. One might wonder what it says about USA that public metrication seems less likely to happen now vs. 40 years ago.

Seems time to get off the "lets convert to metric" bandwagon, they tried that in the 70's and it never took hold. What does it matter if I drive at 55mph or 80kph let those who visit here adjust to our way just as we have to drive on the left side if we visit them.