MA Exit Sign Changes Beginning This Weekend

TAUNTON, MA — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is slated to begin posting exit signs this weekend on Route 140 between Taunton and New Bedford.

The change is the first part of a statewide transition, as Massachusetts is going to assign new numbers to highway exit signs based on mileage, a change that will force nearly every one of the state's motorists to recalibrate what they have known for years.

Starting Sunday, exit numbers on Route 140 will change, but the old ones will remain on the signs for at least two years to help residents adjust to the changes.

State officials have said the changes are being made 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.

"Work will typically be completed during the overnight hours and the contractors are required to complete the full interchange before moving along to the next exit," a MassDOT spokesperson said in a statement.

Following installation of Route 140's new exit signs, state officials said contractors will move on to the Interstate 195 corridor.

The state also unveiled a website that says which new numbers will be assigned to highway exit signs to help motorists get a head start on learning the new exits.