The state Department of Transportaion announced that the consecutive numbering system on interstate interchanges will be replaced by a numbering system that uses uses the closest mile marker, a practice used in many other states.

The new exit numbers will be placed over existing numbers on interstate highways and the Pennsylvana Turnpike by private contractors, the Observer-Reporter of Washington reported in Friday's editions. The cost of the project is expected to be around $3 million.

"We get a lot of correspondence from people and they have asked us to switch because they found the mileage-based system easier to follow," said Art Brenneman, manager of the state department's traffic engineering and operations division in Harrisburg.

Breneman also said that the old exit numbers will be posted at the bottom of the new signs for travelers using older maps. The new numbers would be ready in about two weeks.

PennDOT will be putting together a booklet of the revised numbers that will be availble at welcome centers and PennDOT offices throughout the state.