Route 99 (Massachusetts)

Route 99 (Massachusetts). Route 99 is a short, 2.66-mile (4.28 km) north–south state highway in the Greater Boston area, entirely within Middlesex County. It connects the cities of Everett and Malden, primarily serving as a local arterial road through dense urban and commercial districts. The route is a significant local thoroughfare, providing access to residential neighborhoods, industrial areas, and major intersecting roadways.

Route description

Beginning at a signalized intersection with Route 16 (Broadway) in southern Everett, the route proceeds northward along Ferry Street. It passes through a heavily developed corridor featuring auto repair shops, light industrial facilities, and multi-family housing, crossing the Malden River into the city of Malden. Within Malden, the roadway is officially named Ferry Street and later Eastern Avenue, running parallel to the MBTA's Orange Line for a portion of its journey. The route terminates at a complex junction with Route 60 (Salem Street) just west of the Malden Center MBTA station, a major transit hub. Throughout its length, it provides critical local access to neighborhoods like the Edgeworth section of Malden and intersects numerous local streets, including Revere Beach Parkway and Cross Street.

History

The roadway that became Route 99 was originally a local path following the alignment of Ferry Street, historically significant for its connection to ferry services across the Malden River. It was designated as a state highway in the 1930s as part of a broader numbering system implemented by the Department of Public Works. The route's numbering, 99, places it within the secondary route system for Massachusetts, intended for shorter, intra-regional connections rather than long-distance travel. Minor realignments have occurred over the decades, particularly at its northern terminus near Malden Center to accommodate urban redevelopment and improvements to the MBTA infrastructure. The construction of the Orange Line rapid transit and the adjacent Northern Strand Community Trail has influenced traffic patterns and accessibility along the corridor.

Major intersections

The entire route is in Middlesex County. {| class="wikitable" |- ! Location ! mi ! km ! Destinations ! Notes |- | Everett | 0.00 | 0.00 | Route 16 (Broadway) | Southern terminus |- | rowspan="2" | Malden | 1.2 | 1.9 | Revere Beach Parkway |- | 2.66 | 4.28 | Route 60 (Salem Street) | Northern terminus |}

See also

* Massachusetts Route 99 * List of state highways in Massachusetts * Transportation in Greater Boston

Category:State highways in Massachusetts