Interstate 395 (Massachusetts)

Interstate 395 (Massachusetts) is a 55.38-mile (89.12 km) north–south auxiliary Interstate Highway located entirely within Worcester County in central Massachusetts. It serves as a primary corridor connecting the Worcester metropolitan area with northeastern Connecticut and the city of Webster near the Massachusetts-Rhode Island border. The highway is a critical component of the regional transportation network, intersecting with several other major routes including the Massachusetts Turnpike and I-290.

Route description

Interstate 395 begins at a complex interchange with I-90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike), I-290, and the southern continuation of I-395 into Connecticut in the town of Auburn. From this junction, it heads generally northward, passing through a mix of suburban and rural landscapes. The route travels through or near the communities of Oxford, Dudley, and Southbridge. It provides access to the Quinebaug River valley and serves as a bypass around the urban core of Worcester. The highway terminates at an intersection with U.S. Route 5 and Massachusetts Route 2 in Webster, just south of the Lake Chaubunagungamaug area.

History

The corridor now occupied by Interstate 395 was originally planned and constructed as part of the Interstate Highway System in the 1960s and 1970s. It was designated to replace the older U.S. Route 5 as the primary north-south route in this part of the state. Initial construction focused on the segment connecting Auburn with Webster. The highway's completion improved travel times and economic connectivity between central Massachusetts and Connecticut. Over the years, various interchange and roadway improvements have been made, including upgrades to its southern terminus with the Massachusetts Turnpike and I-290.

Exit list

The exit list for Interstate 395 proceeds from south to north. Major exits include Exit 1 for MA 12 in Auburn, providing access to Grafton. Exit 2 serves US 20 and Oxford. Exit 3 provides a connection to MA 16 toward Southbridge and Charlton. Exit 4 is for MA 131 and Dudley. Exit 5 serves MA 197 and the Webster area. The northern terminus is at Exit 6, which directs traffic onto US 5 and MA 2.

Junction list

Interstate 395 has significant junctions with other state and federal highways. Its southern terminus is a major interchange with I-90, I-290, and I-395 continuing into Connecticut. North of this, it intersects US 20 near Oxford. Further north, it meets MA 16, which provides a key route to Southbridge. The highway also has junctions with MA 131 and MA 197 before terminating at its northern junction with US 5 and MA 2 in Webster.

Major intersections

The most significant major intersection along Interstate 395 is its southern terminus, a multi-level interchange with I-90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike) and I-290 in Auburn. This interchange is a critical node in the state's highway system, linking the east-west Massachusetts Turnpike with north-south routes toward Worcester and Hartford. The northern terminus at US 5 and MA 2 in Webster is another major intersection, providing connections to Providence and the Blackstone Valley. The junction with US 20 is also a principal east-west arterial route.

Category:Interstate Highways in Massachusetts Category:Transportation in Worcester County, Massachusetts