Starting Sunday, new exit numbers are coming to Massachusetts highways

Massachusetts transportation officials will soon be making changes to the state’s exit numbering system.

Starting on October 18, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will begin a project to change highway exit signs from the current  sequential exit numbering to a mile marker-based exit numbering system.

MassDOT says that the new system will be more driver-friendly and will make for easier navigation for emergency responders.

MassDOT says that the new exit signs will include the old exit numbers for at least two years to help drivers get used to the change.

Exit numbers for Route 213, I-291, I-391, and the Lowell Connector will not be changing due to the length and spacing of exits, MassDOT says.

The project is scheduled to continue during off-peak traffic hours through summer 2021.

The $2.8 million project will be paid for using Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funds.