Massachusetts Route 9

Massachusetts Route 9 is a major east–west state highway in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It runs approximately 57 miles from an interchange with U.S. Route 20 in Northampton to a junction with Route 2 near the Boston University Bridge in Boston. The route serves as a vital commercial and commuter corridor, connecting the Pioneer Valley with the MetroWest region and the Greater Boston area, passing through numerous cities and towns including Amherst, Worcester, and Framingham.

Route description

Beginning at a complex interchange with US 20 and I-91 in Northampton, the highway travels eastward through the Connecticut River valley. It passes the campuses of Amherst College and the University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst and Hadley. East of the Quabbin Reservoir, the route ascends into the hills of central Worcester County, serving the towns of Ware and West Brookfield. Upon entering the city of Worcester, it follows a heavily commercialized stretch through the Lincoln Square area and past institutions like the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Continuing east, it forms a primary retail artery through Shrewsbury, Westborough, and Southborough, before running concurrent with MA 30 through Framingham past the Framingham State University campus and the Shoppers World plaza. The highway then passes through Wellesley, Newton, and Brookline, skirting the Chestnut Hill Reservoir and the Longwood Medical and Academic Area, before terminating at Route 2 (Memorial Drive) near the Charles River and the Boston University campus.

History

The western alignment follows the path of the historic Boston and Albany Railroad and earlier turnpikes, including the Middle Turnpike. Its establishment as a state highway dates to the early 20th century, with significant realignments and widenings occurring throughout the 1930s and 1950s to accommodate increasing automobile traffic. A major project in the 1960s created the limited-access Worcester Interchange with I-290 and I-190. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, the corridor through Framingham and Natick became synonymous with suburban commercial development, exemplified by the opening of the Natick Mall. The route has been the site of notable events, including a 1994 incident involving Stephen G. Breyer and ongoing debates about congestion and development in municipalities like Newton and Brookline.

Major intersections

The route intersects numerous other significant highways. Major junctions from west to east include the western terminus at US 20 in Northampton, an intersection with MA 116 in Amherst, and a crossing of MA 32 in Ware. In Worcester, it meets I-290, I-190, and MA 12. Further east, it intersects I-495 in Westborough, runs concurrently with MA 30 through Framingham, and meets I-95/MA 128 at the Wellesley-Newton line. In its easternmost segments, it has junctions with MA 16 in Newton and MA 2 in Boston.

See also

* Massachusetts Route 9A * Numbered highways in Massachusetts * Transportation in Massachusetts

References

Category:State highways in Massachusetts