Massachusetts Route 4

Massachusetts Route 4 is a 20.00-mile (32.19 km) state highway in central Massachusetts, providing a key north-south arterial connection between the Blackstone Valley and the Merrimack Valley. It runs from an intersection with US 202 in Mendon to a junction with US 3 in Chelmsford, passing through several towns including Upton, Hopkinton, and Westford. The route serves as a vital corridor for local traffic and connects to several other major state routes, including MA 9 and MA 85.

Route description

Beginning at its southern terminus at the junction of US 202 and MA 31 in the town of Mendon, the route heads north as Mendon Street, crossing into Upton. In Upton, it is known as Hartford Avenue and passes near the Upton State Forest before intersecting MA 140. Continuing north into Hopkinton, the roadway becomes West Main Street and passes near the Hopkinton State Park and the famed start point of the Boston Marathon. It has a major junction with MA 135 in the center of Hopkinton. The route then proceeds into Westford, where it is designated as Littleton Road and crosses MA 225. In its final segment, Route 4 enters Chelmsford, becoming Chelmsford Street and passing near the Chelmsford Forum before terminating at a complex interchange with US 3 and MA 3A.

History

The alignment of Route 4 follows colonial-era roads that connected early settlements in the Mendon area with those in the Merrimack Valley. It was officially designated as part of the New England road marking system in the 1920s. Significant realignments occurred in the mid-20th century, particularly in Chelmsford during the construction of US 3 in the 1960s. The route's path through Hopkinton has long been associated with the Boston Marathon, which has started on Hopkinton Green since 1924. While the roadway has been widened and improved over the decades, it retains a largely rural to suburban character along much of its length, contrasting with the more developed corridors like I-495 which lies to the west.

Major intersections

The entire route is in Worcester and Middlesex counties. {| class="wikitable" |- ! Location ! mi ! km ! Destinations ! Notes |- | Mendon | 0.00 | 0.00 | US 202 / MA 31 (Main Street) | Southern terminus |- | Upton | 3.5 | 5.6 | MA 140 (Main Street) – Grafton, Milford |- | Hopkinton | 7.2 | 11.6 | MA 135 (Main Street) – Framingham, Milford |- | Westford | 13.8 | 22.2 | MA 225 (Graniteville Road) – Graniteville, Groton |- | Chelmsford | 20.00 | 32.19 | US 3 / MA 3A (Littleton Road) | Northern terminus |}

See also

* Massachusetts Department of Transportation * List of state highways in Massachusetts * U.S. Route 3 in Massachusetts * Boston Marathon

References

Category:State highways in Massachusetts Category:Transportation in Worcester County, Massachusetts Category:Transportation in Middlesex County, Massachusetts