Exit signs along I-81 to be updated to mile-based system beginning this week

Yahoo

11-03-2025

BROOME COUNTY, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Exit signs along Interstate 81 in Broome County are being updated to a milage-based number system.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez announced on Tuesday that work on the project will begin on March 12.
During the project, existing, sequentially numbered exit signs will be updated with new panels that represent the exit by its mileage location along the highway. This will give motorists a better indication of how many miles they need to travel to reach their destinations.
The first exit signs switched will be on the southern end in Kirkwood, with crews gradually working their way north through Broome County. Eventually all exit signs along Interstate 81 in New York will be switched.
'The New York State Department of Transportation continually strives to enhance the safety and convenience of the traveling public and these new exit numbers will allow drivers and emergency responders to make better-informed decisions as they travel along the southern tier's busiest highway,' said Dominguez. 'Mile-based exit signs give drivers a better sense of where they are located on a highway and makes it easier for them to determine how far they need to go to reach their destinations, enabling more efficient travel planning and enhanced safety for all who use our highways.'
The new exit numbers along I-81 are based on the distance in miles moving from south to north from the Pennsylvania border to the Canadian border. The new mile-based exit numbers will be added to the upper panel on the existing signs.
To reduce driver confusion, panel signs with the old sequential exit number (OLD EXIT 7) will be added to the bottom of the first approaching existing exit sign.
According to Dominguez, the system is not practicable for all highways however, mileage-based systems are in use in nearly all 50 states and are widely viewed as more efficient than sequential numbering schemes.
In addition to assisting motorists in determining their location and the distance to their preferred exit, mile-based systems also aid emergency responders in reaching drivers who are experiencing an emergency.
The new system will ensure Interstate 81 conforms to current national standards.
The upgrade to mile-based exit numbers on I-81 is a strong improvement, making travel easier to navigate for drivers and ensuring faster emergency response when seconds matter. Thank you to NYSDOT for its efforts in making travel safer and more efficient for everyone in Broome County,' said Broome County Executive Jason Garnar.
Multiple short-term lane closures will be needed to complete the sign work. Motorists should anticipate travel delays and build extra travel time into their schedules. In addition, ramp closures may be necessary to replace overhead signs in the Binghamton area.
Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones.
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