Massachusetts Route 146

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Massachusetts Route 146 is a 45.20-mile (72.74 km) state highway in Worcester County, providing a vital commercial and commuter corridor between Worcester and the Rhode Island state line. It serves as a primary alternative to the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) for travel between the Greater Boston area and central Massachusetts. The route passes through several significant communities, including Millbury, Sutton, Uxbridge, and Northbridge, connecting to major interstates like I-395 and I-290.

Route Description

Beginning at the Rhode Island border in Northbridge, the highway continues north from RI 146 and I-295. It traverses the Blackstone River Valley, passing near the historic Blackstone Canal and paralleling the Blackstone River for stretches. The route is largely a divided, limited-access expressway through towns like Uxbridge and Sutton, featuring interchanges with key local roads such as MA 122A and MA 16. North of Millbury, it converges with I-90 briefly before terminating at a major junction with I-290 and MA 122 in the Quinsigamond Village neighborhood of Worcester.

The corridor's origins lie in early 20th-century auto trails, notably the Blackstone Valley Trail, which connected Worcester and Providence. It was designated as part of the New England road marking system in the 1920s. Major modernization began in the 1960s under the administration of Governor John A. Volpe, transforming it from a surface road into a limited-access highway to alleviate congestion on the Boston and Albany Railroad corridor. Significant realignments occurred near Millbury and Sutton in the 1970s. The highway's completion as a continuous expressway was a key project of the Massachusetts Department of Public Works, now the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

The entire route resides within Worcester County. It is maintained by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and is designated as a U.S. and state highway for its entire length. The roadway is a mix of controlled-access expressway and at-grade intersections, particularly in its southern sections near Northbridge. Key bridges span the Blackstone River and the Blackstone Canal. The route is patrolled by the Massachusetts State Police and is a critical freight corridor for the Worcester Regional Airport and Worcester Union Station logistics hubs.

The southern terminus is at the Rhode Island state line, where it meets I-295 and RI 146 in Lincoln, Rhode Island. Northbound, major junctions include MA 122 in Northbridge, I-395 in Millbury, and MA 9 in Worcester. It has a direct interchange with the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) in Millbury. The northern terminus is a complex interchange with I-290 and MA 122 near Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, providing access to UMass Medical School and the Worcester Polytechnic Institute.