Introduction

Every true roadgeek cares about route numbers; is not completely satisfied with how the state DOT (or AASHTO) has numbered highways; and thinks he or she (usually he) can do a better job. Here's one of my plans for Connecticut.

If I worked in the DOT, I wouldn't actually propose this: the costs (drafting new maps, posting new signs, printing new ads, etc) for the state, businesses and residents would outweigh the benefits (a cooler numbering system). So this is just for fun.

I gave myself one constraint in this plan: no highways could be rerouted, added, deleted, or combined. All highways would stay intact except for a new number. And, signed numbers had to stay below 399. I don't address "secret routes" here, because they're not signed.

There were several reasons I had for changing numbers, and they're mentioned in the table. "C" means the number was chosen for geographical clustering; e.g. have Route 187 near Route 189. "D" means directionally correct: odd numbers for north and south, even for east and west. "T" means this highway was renumbered because another highway needed its number. "3" means the 3-digit number was chosen to "rhyme" (have the same last two digits) as a nearby number; e.g. a branch off Route 10 might be called Route 210.

"Area" does not restrict anything to a portion of a route; it merely helps you see where the route being renumbered is.

After you read this, also see Neil Kelly's plan for Danbury renumbering.