Your Stories Q&A: Here’s why the Thruway is not changing its exit numbers like I-81

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) – You ask, we answer!

The Your Stories Team keeps getting questions about the new exit numbers on Interstate 81.

Earlier this summer, the New York State Department of Transportation announced it was changing exit numbers on Interstates 81, 690, and State Route 481 to a mile-based system.

For example, Marathon used to be Exit 9. It’s now Exit 38 because it’s approximately 38 miles from the Pennsylvania border.

Currently, 12 exit signs on 81 have been changed. NYSDOT said it was still in the planning stages for the mile-based conversion of exits along Interstate 690.

News of the changes, prompted this viewer question: Will the exit numbers change on Thruway?

No, at least not right now.

Statement from New York State Thruway Authority:

“ Given the sheer size of the New York State Thruway system (570-miles), the complexity of such changes due to the overlap of interstate highways such as I-87 and I-90 in the Capital Region, and the costs associated with the change, the Thruway Authority has deferred a systemwide implementation until a feasible plan can be developed. At this time, no compliance date has been set by FHWA (Federal Highway Administration). “

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