Massachusetts Route 140

Massachusetts Route 140 is a 38.20-mile (61.48 km) state highway in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. It provides a primary north–south corridor connecting the coastal city of New Bedford with the central region of the state, terminating in Marlborough. The route passes through a mix of urban, suburban, and rural landscapes in Bristol, Worcester, and Middlesex counties. It serves as a vital link for commuters and commercial traffic between Southeastern Massachusetts and the MetroWest area.

Route description

Beginning at an interchange with Interstate 195 and U.S. Route 6 in northern New Bedford, the route heads north as a four-lane divided highway. It passes near the New Bedford Regional Airport and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth before entering the town of Freetown. Through Freetown and into Lakeville, the roadway narrows and assumes a more rural character, skirting the eastern shore of Assawompset Pond. It continues north through Middleborough, intersecting with Route 105 and Route 28. The route then enters Taunton, where it has a complex junction with Interstate 495 and Route 24, a major interchange for the region. North of Taunton, it passes through Norton, crossing the Mansfield town line and intersecting with I-495 again. It proceeds through Foxborough, where it meets U.S. Route 1, and into Wrentham, passing near the Wrentham State School and Wrentham Developmental Center. The final segment runs through Franklin and Bellingham before entering Marlborough and terminating at an interchange with Interstate 290 and U.S. Route 20.

History

The alignment of Route 140 incorporates several older roadways and has been significantly upgraded over the decades. Its southern terminus in New Bedford was originally part of the Fall River Expressway project in the mid-20th century. The section through Taunton was realigned and expanded in conjunction with the construction of Interstate 495 during the 1960s. A major realignment project in the 1990s moved the route onto a new limited-access bypass around the western side of Foxborough, alleviating congestion on the former surface street alignment through the town center. This bypass also improved access to Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. Historically, the road served as a key connector between the industrial centers of New Bedford and Taunton and the growing suburban communities along the I-495 corridor.

Major intersections

From south to north, key junctions include the southern terminus at I-195/US 6 in New Bedford. In Taunton, it meets I-495/MA 24 at a partial cloverleaf interchange. In Foxborough, it intersects US 1. The northern terminus is at I-290/US 20 in Marlborough. Other significant intersections include MA 28 in Middleborough and MA 126 in Franklin.

See also

* Massachusetts Department of Transportation * Numbered highways in the United States * List of state highways in Massachusetts

References

*Note: Reference details are omitted per user instructions.*

Category:State highways in Massachusetts