OK — twenty first century. Obtained it. VHSs. Lotus 1-2-3. “Rolling” down home windows (though we nonetheless say it). Hong Kong Phooey. And exit numbers that enhance incrementally by one. All gone.
Effectively, solely “nearly” on these exit numbers on Route 9, anyway. However that’s the way it goes. And what’s the story behind this: we’re placing a “nationwide uniform” on our Connecticut highways.
Sure, based on Abigail Brone’s “Have you ever seen new exit numbers on some CT highways? Right here’s why” which appeared within the CTInsider on March 14, “Among the many advantages of the brand new, mile-based indicators is nationwide uniformity, simpler navigation for drivers, extra correct emergency response and the power to simply add new exits sooner or later with out renumbering a whole hall, based on the paperwork.” Moreover, apparently solely 9 states in our nation don’t observe the mile-based exit signal technique. I like to recommend trying this text up when you’re the curious sort and also you’d prefer to know the place your tax {dollars} are headed.
And I’m the curious sort, however since Abigail already wrote up her story, no must repeat right here; fairly I wish to take a while to anticipatorily wax nostalgic over a sequence of very particular numbers.
Exit 2 — it’s simply the place I now stay, so a quantity I by no means paid a lot consideration to has risen up within the rankings of “favourite/noticeable” numbers. 2: I’m going to overlook you! (Except you’re 2 miles away from the beginning of Route 9.)
Exit 5 — nicely, 5 has at all times been my favourite quantity since I earned a ribbon from the fifth block on the Sealions swim group again in … nicely, assume Goldbergs. However now I’ve a brand new fancy for five as a result of the “Pandemonium Rainforest Undertaking” tremendous thrift retailer that saves and helps at-risk fancy animals has not too long ago opened there! I used to be telling a pal that I used to be penning this piece and concerning the PRP and he or she requested, “The place is it?” and already I noticed the difficulty, “nicely, for now it’s exit 5 off of Route 9 in Deep River.”
Exit 7 — an all-time favourite since perpetually! It’s the Goodspeed Opera Home, for heaven’s sake!! Who can beat that? House of my first job and numerous superb musicals that endeared musicals to me perpetually and ever. I additionally occur to know that Michael Value, founding government director of Goodspeed, was concerned in getting GOH on the Connecticut tourism maps by method in a part of placing it on one location-specified exit 7 signal together with the Goodspeed Airport.
Exit 9 — this one simply at all times fed one in all my favourite mathematical equations: 9 occasions 9, and I came upon later that my mom additionally loved this explicit little bit of math-sourced reminiscence set off. You recognize the place I’m going with this? There have to be others. Route 81? Exit 9 off of Route 9 lands you the place?
Effectively, I suppose we’d finest prepare for some new math and when you ever needed to rely the variety of miles away from the start of the freeway that you just’re on, you’ll be all set. However wait … I’ve by no means needed to or needed to, and don’t we’ve got numerous map apps and GPS for the emergency personnel? Alas, we transfer ahead …
Trying to wrap-up on the constructive aspect, one final, “nicely, OK nationwide freeway customary system, perhaps”: a “thanks” to Dave Clarke of Ivoryton/Centerbrook for the next clarification on the Nextdoor weblog:
“CT has been method late to the sport on implementing nationwide requirements for numbering exits primarily based on mileage. However, fairly than tearing down serviceable indicators to do that, CT waited till the indicators reached the top of their lifespan — many light with decreased reflectivity. Together with the exit indicators they’re including many small mileage indicators. These are vital when calling in 911 emergencies to specify an incident’s location. So… late to the sport however we’re starting to use nationwide freeway security requirements.”
I suppose this in the end goes again to our close to one-quarter-of-a-millennium age query and debate over state versus nationwide reign and the associated query, “Does one measurement actually match all?” However extra importantly, what’s your favourite Route 9 exit quantity and why? Focus on.
Gwen S. Pond lives in Previous Saybrook.
