Formerly Exit 12

Formerly Exit 12

I don’t know if this is a Jersey thing, but it always gets my head a scratching.  Half of our highways have changed their exits.  No, they have not changed the physical exit, they just change the number.

Sometimes they go from designating an exit by the number of exits, (I.E. Exit 3 would be the third exit from the start) to exit by mile marker (Exit 72 is at mile marker 72.)

So, on half the highways I travel the exit markers say “Exit 12…formerly exit 3”.

What numb-nutz decided to change the Exit numbers? And for crap sake make up your mind, either make all exit numbers based on the exit number, or the mile marker, one or the other, not either or and don’t change the formula every so often.

So, in these here parts when someone asks, “What exit do I take?” 

Half of the time you answer, “I’m not sure, it used to be exit 12.  Just look for the Exit that says “Formerly Exit 12.” 

Of course, this becomes a problem when it is decided that the “Formally” designation is no longer needed.  Then again, I never know when they drop the “Formerly’’ mention, I don’t think they ever do. 

I think eventually they will change the exits back or perhaps to a new Exit Designation formula all together.  They will have to make the sign say

“Exit 17… formerly Exit 3...Used to be Exit 8 and for you really old folks it was Turn-off for Taylors Pkwy, now Broad Street.” 

Good luck spotting that exit.

What brought on this rant?

Just the other day we passed an exit on Rt. 280 that said “Exit 23 A…formerly 23 B.”  Seriously? Why dd 23 A go to 23 B?

I forgot, this is Jersey, some politician must have an Uncle who makes Highway Signs.