Massachusetts Route 85

Massachusetts Route 85 is a 15.20-mile (24.46 km) north–south state highway located in the MetroWest region of Massachusetts. It connects the towns of Uxbridge and Marlborough, passing through the communities of Northbridge, Grafton, Westborough, and Southborough. The route serves as a secondary arterial, providing local connectivity between several major east–west corridors including Route 9 and the Massachusetts Turnpike.

Route description

Beginning at an intersection with Route 16 in the village of North Uxbridge, the route heads north, crossing the Blackstone River into Northbridge. It proceeds through the Whitinsville area, intersecting Route 122. Continuing north, it enters Grafton, where it meets the southern terminus of Route 30 near the Grafton Common. The road then passes by the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine before crossing into Westborough. In Westborough, it has an interchange with the Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90) and intersects Route 9. The route continues north into Southborough, running parallel to the Sudbury Reservoir and intersecting Route 30 again. It finally enters Marlborough, terminating at a junction with Route 20 and Route 85A near the Assabet River.

History

The alignment follows several older town roads and turnpikes, including a section of the former Marlborough and Uxbridge Turnpike chartered in the early 19th century. It was designated as part of the New England road marking system in the 1920s, initially running from Uxbridge to Southborough. The northern extension to Marlborough was established in the 1930s. Significant modernization occurred in the mid-20th century, including the construction of the interchange with the Massachusetts Turnpike in Westborough and realignments near the Sudbury Reservoir.

Major intersections

The entire route is in Worcester County, except where noted in Middlesex County. {| class="wikitable" !County !Location !mi !km !Destinations !Notes |- |rowspan="7"|Worcester |Uxbridge |0.00 |0.00 |Route 16 (Hartford Avenue) – Uxbridge, Milford |Southern terminus |- |Northbridge |1.4 |2.3 |Route 122 (Main Street) – Northbridge, Upton |- |Grafton |4.7 |7.6 |Route 30 north (Worcester Street) – Grafton, Worcester |Southern terminus of Route 30 concurrency |- |5.4 |8.7 |Route 30 south (South Street) – Westborough |Northern terminus of Route 30 concurrency |- |Westborough |8.2 |13.2 |I-90 / Massachusetts Turnpike – Boston, Springfield |Exit 11A-B on I-90 |- |9.0 |14.5 |Route 9 – Worcester, Framingham |- |Southborough |11.5 |18.5 |Route 30 (Main Street) – Southborough, Framingham |- |Middlesex |Marlborough |15.20 |24.46 |Route 20 (Boston Post Road East / West) / Route 85A north (Maple Street) |Northern terminus |}

See also

* Massachusetts Department of Transportation * List of state highways in Massachusetts * Massachusetts Route 85A

Category:State highways in Massachusetts