State Department of Transportation to Begin Conversion to Mile-Based Exit Signs Along Interstate 88 Between the Capital Region and Southern Tier

State Department of Transportation to Begin Conversion to Mile-Based Exit Signs Along Interstate 88 Between the Capital Region and Southern Tier

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez announced today that work will soon begin to convert exit signs along Interstate 88 (I-88) to a mile-based numbering system. The $1.1 million project involves installing new mile-based exit numbers to correspond with the highway's milage. This system offers drivers a better way to determine their location along the highway and the distance to their destination, facilitating more informed travel decisions and improving traffic management. This system will also assist emergency responders in quickly identifying the location of motorists experiencing an emergency.

"These new mile-based exit signs on I-88 are a simple change with a real safety benefit - helping drivers better understand where they are along the highway - while giving emergency responders another clear way to quickly pinpoint a location when time matters most," Commissioner Dominguez said. "Every improvement we make along our vast state highway system about is making our transportation system work better for everyone, and this conversion to mile-based exits will give travelers along I-88 a better sense of where they are on their journey, while helping our first responders do their jobs even more effectively."

Nearly all U.S. states use mile-based exit numbering systems as they are widely recognized as an efficient alternative to sequential exit numbering. This conversion will also bring I-88 in line with the milage-based numbering used on many other interstate highways, including a similar conversion along Interstate I-81, in Broome County in 2025.

Stretching more than 117 miles across six counties, (Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie and Schenectady) I-88 serves as a vital east-west link for motorists and communities. It has remained a key corridor connecting New York's Capital Region and the Southern Tier since it was constructed, starting in the 1960s, with all segments completed by the late 1980s.

Starting Monday, September 28 and concluding by the end of 2026, crews will update exit signs to the mile-based numbering system. Work will start in Port Crane, Broome County at (OLD Exit 3/new Exit 4), progress generally eastward, and finish at the I-90/New York State Thruway interchange in Rotterdam, Schenectady County (OLD Exit 25/new Exit 117). For example, Exit 3 (State Route 369/Port Crane) along eastbound and westbound I-88 will become Exit 4, as it is located approximately 4 miles east of the start of I-88. Exits 1 and 2 will keep their current numbers as they already match their mile locations at the start of the roadway.

To minimize confusion, existing signs will temporarily display both numbers, with the new mile-based exit numbers on top and the old sequential number on the bottom. The old numbers will eventually be phased out.

Crews will work during the day, primarily on the highway shoulders. While traffic is expected to flow normally, motorists must use caution and slow down when approaching work zones.

Senator Lea Webb said, "Today's work on I-88 marks the beginning of a project that will improve signage and overall safety for drivers and emergency vehicles traveling this roadway. Creating mile-based exit signs means that both residents and visitors will have a clearer understanding of their position on the highway and where they are going. This project is a great example of the importance of collaboration at every level in making transportation more accessible and safer."

Senator Patricia Fahy said, "New York continues to invest in our transportation network's success and vitality so that it remains safe and passable for motorists, especially in times of emergency. Installing mile sign markers will allow motorists and emergency responders to better determine their location and improve traffic management across Schenectady County and the busy I-88 corridor and I-88/I-90 interchange. Thank you to Governor Hochul and Commissioner Dominguez for continuing to invest in our transportation infrastructure."

Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo said, "I'm glad to see that work is underway to convert New York's I-88 to a mile-based exit numbering system. This 117-mile stretch will now have a system that is used in almost every state in the country and in nearby I-81. I appreciate DOT's effort to improve the safety of our roadways for the traveling public and our first responders. Once people get used to this system, they will be better able to determine distances to their destination, which is something I have really come to appreciate."

Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara said, "As a civil engineer, I know that good transportation infrastructure isn't just about pavement and bridges-it's also about giving people clear information to get where they're going safely. Converting I-88 to mile-based exit numbers will make it easier for drivers to know exactly where they are, how far they have to go, and, importantly, help emergency responders locate someone faster when every minute counts. I-88 is an important connection between our communities, ending right here in my hometown of Rotterdam, and I appreciate the Governor and the Department of Transportation making this practical improvement for everyone who travels this corridor."

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said, "Updating the exit signs along I-88 is a small change that will make a big difference for the people who use this highway every day. Having exit numbers that match the mile markers will not only make it easier for drivers to know where they are but will also help emergency responders quickly locate people in need of help. We're thankful to Governor Hochul and Commissioner Dominguez for continuing to prioritize safety and invest in these improvements."

Schenectady County Chair of the Legislature Gary Hughes said, "I-88 provides a direct route between the Capital Region and the Southern Tier, connecting communities along the way. Using mile-based exit numbers will make it easier for people coming to Schenectady County to know where they are, understand how far they've traveled and find their way to where they're going. It's a simple change that will make I-88 easier to navigate and brings us in line with the way many other states already number their exits."

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