Highway Exit Renumbering Set To Begin On Cape Cod

BOURNE, MA — The renumbering of exit signs across Massachusetts highways began in October, and this month, those changes will start to come to Cape Cod.

Commuters on Route 6 from Bourne to Orleans will soon have to get used to new exit numbers. Construction was scheduled to begin Dec. 13, and will take place between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Officials with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation said the construction is expected to take about two weeks.

The project will switch current exit numbers to ones based on mileage, bringing the state in line with federal highway mandates. Massachusetts, Delaware and New Hampshire are the only three states to not have started work on converting to a mileage-based system.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation said it's making the changes to comply with a federal mandate. If it does not fall in line, it could risk federal funds. Federal funds in this case will pay for 90 percent of the cost of changing sign numbers.

The old exit signs will remain up for two years after the replacement signs are installed, allowing for people to get used to the change.

Here are the new exits to help Route 6 commuters get used to the change: