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Route 9 passes through six counties and twenty-eight cities and towns. It begins in the western Massachusetts city of [[Pittsfield, Massachusetts|Pittsfield]], at [[U.S. Route 20 in Massachusetts|U.S. Route 20]]. It has a concurrency with [[U.S. Route 7 in Massachusetts|U.S. Route 7]] during its first mile through the center of that city, then continues east, passing through the towns of Dalton and Windsor, wherein the route reaches its highest point at 2033 ft, in [[Berkshire County, Massachusetts|Berkshire County]]. It continues its winding pass through the small towns of [[The Berkshires]] in Berkshire and western [[Hampshire County, Massachusetts|Hampshire]] Counties before passing through the center of [[Northampton, Massachusetts|Northampton]], passing [[Smith College]] before its first interstate junction, at [[Interstate 91]]. It then crosses the [[Connecticut River]] at the [[Calvin Coolidge Bridge]], just downstream from Elwell Island. It goes past the retail area of Hadley before passing the [[University of Massachusetts Amherst]] and [[Amherst College]]. From Amherst, it winds its way into western [[Worcester County, Massachusetts|Worcester County]], south of the [[Quabbin Reservoir]], through small towns until it makes its way into the city of [[Worcester, Massachusetts|Worcester]].
Route 9 passes through six counties and twenty-eight cities and towns. It begins in the western Massachusetts city of [[Pittsfield, Massachusetts|Pittsfield]], at [[U.S. Route 20 in Massachusetts|U.S. Route 20]]. It has a concurrency with [[U.S. Route 7 in Massachusetts|U.S. Route 7]] during its first mile through the center of that city, then continues east, passing through the towns of Dalton and Windsor, wherein the route reaches its highest point at 2033 ft, in [[Berkshire County, Massachusetts|Berkshire County]]. It continues its winding pass through the small towns of [[The Berkshires]] in Berkshire and western [[Hampshire County, Massachusetts|Hampshire]] Counties before passing through the center of [[Northampton, Massachusetts|Northampton]], passing [[Smith College]] before its first interstate junction, at [[Interstate 91]]. It then crosses the [[Connecticut River]] at the [[Calvin Coolidge Bridge]], just downstream from Elwell Island. It goes past the retail area of Hadley before passing the [[University of Massachusetts Amherst]] and [[Amherst College]]. From Amherst, it winds its way into western [[Worcester County, Massachusetts|Worcester County]], south of the [[Quabbin Reservoir]], through small towns until it makes its way into the city of [[Worcester, Massachusetts|Worcester]].


Once in Worcester, Route 9 becomes a major thoroughfare through the city, as Park Avenue, Highland Street (which passes Worcester Center Boulevard), before passing over [[Interstate 290 (Massachusetts)|Interstate 290]] and Belmont Street, where [[University of Massachusetts Medical School]] and the former [[Worcester State Hospital]] are located. From Worcester, it crosses [[Lake Quinsigamond]] into Shrewsbury. At this point, Route 9 becomes the main retail artery of the [[MetroWest]] region. Several plazas and chain stores are located along the route as it makes its way towards Northborough, where it crosses [[U.S. Route 20]]; Westborough, where it crosses [[Interstate 495 (Massachusetts)|Interstate 495]]; and eventually in the [[Golden Triangle (Massachusetts)|Golden Triangle]] retail area of Framingham and Natick, after crossing the [[Massachusetts Turnpike]]. It passes [[Shoppers World (Framingham, Massachusetts)|Shopper's World]] and the [[Natick Mall]], New England's largest mall.
Once in Worcester, Route 9 becomes a major thoroughfare through the city, as Park Avenue, Highland Street (which passes Worcester Center Boulevard), before passing over [[Interstate 290 (Massachusetts)|Interstate 290]] and Belmont Street, where [[University of Massachusetts Medical School]] and the former [[Worcester State Hospital]] are located. At its intersection with McRae Ct., it becomes a divided highway with raised median. From Worcester, it crosses [[Lake Quinsigamond]] into Shrewsbury. At this point, Route 9 becomes the main retail artery of the [[MetroWest]] region. Several plazas and chain stores are located along the route as it makes its way towards Northborough, where it crosses [[U.S. Route 20]]; Westborough, where it crosses [[Interstate 495 (Massachusetts)|Interstate 495]]; and eventually in the [[Golden Triangle (Massachusetts)|Golden Triangle]] retail area of Framingham and Natick, after crossing the [[Massachusetts Turnpike]]. It passes [[Shoppers World (Framingham, Massachusetts)|Shopper's World]] and the [[Natick Mall]], New England's largest mall.


Beginning in the Golden Triangle, Route 9 becomes one of the major routes into Boston, serving as a valuable bypass to the Mass Pike and its tolls. It crosses [[Interstate 95 in Massachusetts|Interstate 95]] (also known as [[Massachusetts Route 128]]) in Wellesley before crossing the [[Charles River]] into Newton and Brookline. It enters the city of Boston by crossing over Brookline's former namesake, the [[Muddy River (Massachusetts)|Muddy River]], part of the [[Emerald Necklace]]. at this point it becomes [[Huntington Avenue]], also known as "Avenue of the Arts." It passes the [[Longwood Medical and Academic Area]], which includes [[Brigham and Women's Hospital]], [[Harvard Medical School]] and other hospitals; the [[Museum of Fine Arts, Boston|Museum of Fine Arts]]; and several colleges and universities, including [[Northeastern University]]. This stretch is also a major site of baseball history; the first game of the [[1903 World Series]], baseball's first true World Series, was played at the [[Huntington Avenue Grounds]], the original home of the [[Boston Red Sox]]. (The site is now part of Northeastern's campus.) The "E" Branch of the MBTA Green Line roughly follows Huntington Avenue underground from Copley Square until it rises above ground at the Northeastern Portal. It then operates in a dedicated median of Huntington Avenue between Northeastern University and the Brigham Circle stop, where trains begin street running in mixed traffic to a terminus at Heath Street. Route 9 continues past [[Symphony Hall, Boston|Symphony Hall]] and [[The First Church of Christ, Scientist]], which is the mother church of [[Church of Christ, Scientist|Christian Science]]. It then passes [[Copley Place]] and the [[Prudential Tower|Prudential Center complex]], before splitting, the eastbound half onto Stuart Street, the westbound onto Saint James Street, past [[Copley Square]]; both the eastbound and westbound segments of Route 9 end at [[Massachusetts Route 28|Route 28]].
Beginning in the Golden Triangle, Route 9 becomes one of the major routes into Boston, serving as a valuable bypass to the Mass Pike and its tolls. It crosses [[Interstate 95 in Massachusetts|Interstate 95]] (also known as [[Massachusetts Route 128]]) in Wellesley before crossing the [[Charles River]] into Newton and Brookline. It enters the city of Boston by crossing over Brookline's former namesake, the [[Muddy River (Massachusetts)|Muddy River]], part of the [[Emerald Necklace]]. at this point it becomes [[Huntington Avenue]], also known as "Avenue of the Arts." It loses its raised median briefly between its intersection with S. Huntington Ave. and Brigham Circle. It passes the [[Longwood Medical and Academic Area]], which includes [[Brigham and Women's Hospital]], [[Harvard Medical School]] and other hospitals; the [[Museum of Fine Arts, Boston|Museum of Fine Arts]]; and several colleges and universities, including [[Northeastern University]]. This stretch is also a major site of baseball history; the first game of the [[1903 World Series]], baseball's first true World Series, was played at the [[Huntington Avenue Grounds]], the original home of the [[Boston Red Sox]]. (The site is now part of Northeastern's campus.) The "E" Branch of the MBTA Green Line roughly follows Huntington Avenue underground from Copley Square until it rises above ground at the Northeastern Portal. It then operates in a dedicated median of Huntington Avenue between Northeastern University and the Brigham Circle stop, where trains begin street running in mixed traffic to a terminus at Heath Street. Route 9 continues past [[Symphony Hall, Boston|Symphony Hall]] and [[The First Church of Christ, Scientist]], which is the mother church of [[Church of Christ, Scientist|Christian Science]]. It then passes [[Copley Place]] and the [[Prudential Tower|Prudential Center complex]], before splitting, the eastbound half onto Stuart Street, the westbound onto Saint James Street, past [[Copley Square]]; both the eastbound and westbound segments of Route 9 end at [[Massachusetts Route 28|Route 28]].


==History==
==History==

Revision as of 17:10, 28 December 2017

"Ted Williams Highway" redirects here. For the tunnel in Boston, see Ted Williams Tunnel.
Route 9 marker
Route 9
Worcester-Boston Turnpike
Ted Williams Highway
United Spanish War Veterans Highway
Route information
Maintained by MassDOT
Length135.310 mi[1] (217.760 km)
Existedby 1933–present
Major junctions
West end US 20 in Pittsfield
Major intersections
East end Route 28 in Boston
Location
CountryUnited States
StateMassachusetts
CountiesBerkshire, Hampshire, Worcester, Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk
Highway system
← Route 8A→ Route C9

Route 9 is a major east–west state highway in Massachusetts. Along with U.S. Route 20, Route 2, and Interstate 90, Route 9 is one of the major east–west routes of Massachusetts, and like the others its eastern terminus is in Boston. Starting at Copley Square and passing along Huntington Avenue, Route 9 is a limited access route through the MetroWest suburbs to Worcester, and is also a major alternative to the Pike's toll road west of the city. After passing along major city streets in that city, the road becomes a country route, passing through the central Worcester Hills, the Pioneer Valley, and the city of Northampton, and into The Berkshires. The road ends near the center of the city of Pittsfield.

Route description

Route 9 passes through six counties and twenty-eight cities and towns. It begins in the western Massachusetts city of Pittsfield, at U.S. Route 20. It has a concurrency with U.S. Route 7 during its first mile through the center of that city, then continues east, passing through the towns of Dalton and Windsor, wherein the route reaches its highest point at 2033 ft, in Berkshire County. It continues its winding pass through the small towns of The Berkshires in Berkshire and western Hampshire Counties before passing through the center of Northampton, passing Smith College before its first interstate junction, at Interstate 91. It then crosses the Connecticut River at the Calvin Coolidge Bridge, just downstream from Elwell Island. It goes past the retail area of Hadley before passing the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Amherst College. From Amherst, it winds its way into western Worcester County, south of the Quabbin Reservoir, through small towns until it makes its way into the city of Worcester.

Once in Worcester, Route 9 becomes a major thoroughfare through the city, as Park Avenue, Highland Street (which passes Worcester Center Boulevard), before passing over Interstate 290 and Belmont Street, where University of Massachusetts Medical School and the former Worcester State Hospital are located. At its intersection with McRae Ct., it becomes a divided highway with raised median. From Worcester, it crosses Lake Quinsigamond into Shrewsbury. At this point, Route 9 becomes the main retail artery of the MetroWest region. Several plazas and chain stores are located along the route as it makes its way towards Northborough, where it crosses U.S. Route 20; Westborough, where it crosses Interstate 495; and eventually in the Golden Triangle retail area of Framingham and Natick, after crossing the Massachusetts Turnpike. It passes Shopper's World and the Natick Mall, New England's largest mall.

Beginning in the Golden Triangle, Route 9 becomes one of the major routes into Boston, serving as a valuable bypass to the Mass Pike and its tolls. It crosses Interstate 95 (also known as Massachusetts Route 128) in Wellesley before crossing the Charles River into Newton and Brookline. It enters the city of Boston by crossing over Brookline's former namesake, the Muddy River, part of the Emerald Necklace. at this point it becomes Huntington Avenue, also known as "Avenue of the Arts." It loses its raised median briefly between its intersection with S. Huntington Ave. and Brigham Circle. It passes the Longwood Medical and Academic Area, which includes Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School and other hospitals; the Museum of Fine Arts; and several colleges and universities, including Northeastern University. This stretch is also a major site of baseball history; the first game of the 1903 World Series, baseball's first true World Series, was played at the Huntington Avenue Grounds, the original home of the Boston Red Sox. (The site is now part of Northeastern's campus.) The "E" Branch of the MBTA Green Line roughly follows Huntington Avenue underground from Copley Square until it rises above ground at the Northeastern Portal. It then operates in a dedicated median of Huntington Avenue between Northeastern University and the Brigham Circle stop, where trains begin street running in mixed traffic to a terminus at Heath Street. Route 9 continues past Symphony Hall and The First Church of Christ, Scientist, which is the mother church of Christian Science. It then passes Copley Place and the Prudential Center complex, before splitting, the eastbound half onto Stuart Street, the westbound onto Saint James Street, past Copley Square; both the eastbound and westbound segments of Route 9 end at Route 28.

History

From Dalton to Goshen in the Berkshires, the road follows the old Berkshire Trail. The massive expansion of the University of Massachusetts Amherst transformed that part of Route 9 in the late 20th century; this otherwise rural part of the route now has several shops, restaurants, and the mid-sized Hampshire Mall. Between Worcester and Boston, Route 9 follows the path of the 19th-century Worcester Turnpike, opened in 1810. This route originally included a floating bridge over Lake Quinsigamond in Shrewsbury. In the 20th century, Route 9 became the focus for urban sprawl in towns like Newton and Wellesley. Further west, in Framingham, Route 9 was home to one of the first modern shopping malls, the aptly named Shoppers' World.

In Natick, Route 9 is officially the "Ted Williams Highway", named after the Red Sox sports legend Ted Williams, who sported that number.[2] In Newton, it is officially the "United Spanish War Veterans Highway".

From 1903 to 1932, the Boston and Worcester Street Railway ran mostly via Route 9. Today the E branch of the MBTA's Green Line follows Route 9 along Huntington Avenue.

Highway improvements

For more information, refer to the Massachusetts Highway Project Listing.[3]

Completed Phase Type Cost Location Project ID Notes
2007 Complete Bridge Replacement $3.0 million Natick 603004 Replace the Bridge over Lake Cochituate.
2007 Complete Intersection $2.0 million Shrewsbury 601729 Widen Route 9, North Quinsigamond Ave, and South Quinsigamond Ave. New traffic signal system and new signs.
2009 Complete Bridge Replacement $5.7 million Framingham 602522 Replace the Bridge over the Sudbury River.
2009 Complete Traffic Signage $2.5 million Brookline to Westborough 602980 Replace and update all overhead and ground-mounted Signage on Rte 9 and secondary roadways from the Boston-Brookline town line to I-495 in Westborough.
2011 Complete Resurfacing $12.0 million Framingham 604991 From Southborough/Framingham Line easterly to the Natick/Wellesley Line.
2016 Complete Bridge Replacement $127.4 million Shrewsbury 604729 Replace the bridge over Lake Quinsigamond.
2016 Construction Bridge Replacement $8.9 million Framingham 605228 Replace the superstructure of the Route 9 bridge over the Reservoir Outlet connecting the Foss Reservoir to the Stearnes Reservoir.
TBD Design Intersection $1.9 million Framingham 603865 Signal & Intersection Improvements at Temple Street. Provide 3 through lanes and double left-turn lanes in each direction on Route 9.

Major intersections

CountyLocation[1]mi[1]kmDestinationsNotes
BerkshirePittsfield0.0000.000

 US 20 to US 7 / Route 41 – Albany NY		Western terminus
0.3880.624


 US 7 south to US 20 east – Lenox, Lee		Western terminus of concurrency with US 7
0.5550.893
 US 7 north – Lanesborough, Williamstown		Eastern terminus of concurrency with US 7
3.5925.781
 Route 8 north – Cheshire, Adams		Western terminus of concurrency with Route 8
Dalton5.9599.590
 Route 8 south / Route 8A – Hinsdale, Becket		Eastern terminus of Route 8 concurrency; southern terminus of Route 8A; western terminus of Route 8A concurrency
Windsor12.21619.660
 Route 8A north – Savoy		Eastern terminus of Route 8A concurrency
HampshireCummington21.87435.203
 Route 112 south – Worthington		Western terminus of Route 112 concurrency
Goshen28.85046.430
 Route 112 north – Ashfield, Buckland		Eastern terminus of Route 112 concurrency
Williamsburg34.13854.940
 Route 143 west – Chesterfield, Worthington		Eastern terminus of Route 143
Northampton42.34568.148
 Route 66 west – Westhampton		Eastern terminus of Route 66
42.38068.204
 Route 10 south – Easthampton, Westfield		Western terminus of Route 10 concurrency
42.65968.653
 US 5 / Route 10 north – Holyoke, Springfield, Greenfield		Eastern terminus of Route 10 concurrency
43.72770.372
 I-91 south – Holyoke, Springfield		Exit 19 on I-91 north
Connecticut River44.04070.876Calvin Coolidge Bridge
Hadley45.59773.381 Route 47 – South Hadley, Sunderland, Montague
48.35577.820
 Route 116 north – University of Massachusetts, Sunderland, South Deerfield		Western terminus of Route 116 concurrency
Amherst49.77480.103
 Route 116 south – South Hadley, Holyoke		Eastern terminus of Route 116 concurrency
Belchertown58.70394.473 US 202 – Pelham, Athol, Belchertown Center
59.63195.967
 Route 21 south – Ludlow, Springfield, Belchertown, Holyoke		Northern terminus of Route 21; road formerly went north before construction of the Quabbin Reservoir
Ware68.966110.990
 Route 32 south – Palmer, Monson		Western terminus of Route 32 concurrency
70.565113.563
 Route 32 north – Gilbertville, Barre		Eastern terminus of Route 32 concurrency
WorcesterWest Brookfield74.790120.363

 Route 19 south / Route 67 south – Warren		Northern terminus of Route 19; western terminus of Route 67 concurrency
75.888122.130
 Route 67 north – North Brookfield		Eastern terminus of Route 67 concurrency
Brookfield78.564–
78.596		126.437–
126.488		 Route 148 – Fiskdale, Sturbridge, North Brookfield, Oakham30 yards (27 m) concurrency on Route 9
Spencer83.443134.288

 Route 49 south to US 20 – Sturbridge		Northern terminus of Route 49
85.004136.801
 Route 31 north – Paxton, Fitchburg		Western terminus of Route 31 concurrency
85.145137.028
 Route 31 south – Charlton, Dudley		Eastern terminus of Route 31 concurrency
Leicester90.004144.847 Route 56 – Oxford, Paxton, Rutland
Worcester94.286151.739
 Route 12 south – Auburn, Webster		Western terminus of Route 12 concurrency
95.465153.636
 Route 122 / Route 122A south – Millbury, Grafton, Paxton, Barre		Western terminus of Route 122A concurrency
96.114154.680

 Route 12 north / Route 122A north – West Boylston, Holden		Eastern terminus of Routes 12 / 122A concurrency
96.983156.079


 Route 70 north to I-290 east – Boylston, Clinton, Shrewsbury, Marlboro		Southern terminus of Route 70
97.229156.475
 I-290 west – Auburn		Exit 17 on I-290
Lake Quinsigamond99.298159.805Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge
Western terminus of the Boston–Worcester Turnpike
Shrewsbury101.571163.463 Route 140 – Shrewsbury, GraftonInterchange via Grafton Street
Northborough103.702166.892 US 20 – Auburn, NorthboroCloverleaf interchange
Westborough105.585169.923 Route 135 – Westboro, Hopkinton, NorthboroInterchange
107.537173.064 Route 30 – Westboro, North Grafton, SouthboroInterchange
108.116173.996Computer Drive / Research DriveInterchange
109.070175.531
 I-495 to I-90 / Mass Pike – Cape Cod, Lowell		Exits 23A-B on I-495
Southborough111.121178.832 Route 85 – Hopkinton, Milford, Southboro, MarlboroCloverleaf interchange
MiddlesexFramingham112.949181.774
 To Route 30 – Worcester, Southboro		Interchange via Pleasant Street Connector
113.759183.077 I-90 / Mass Pike – Springfield, BostonExit 12 on I-90 / Mass Pike
113.60182.82Eastern terminus of the Boston–Worcester Turnpike; western terminus of Worcester Street
116.096186.838
 Route 30 west (Edgell Road) – Framingham, SouthboroughModule:Jct warning: "road" parameter is deprecated		Interchange; western terminus of Route 30 concurrency
117.122188.490
 Route 30 east		Interchange; eastern terminus of Route 30 concurrency (westbound)
117.441189.003
 Route 30 east / Route 126 – Framingham, Holliston, Saxonville, Wayland, Weston		Interchange; eastern terminus of Route 30 concurrency (eastbound)
118.097190.059Ring RoadShoppers World entrance; eastbound left exit and westbound entrance
Natick118.307190.397Shoppers World DriveShoppers World entrance; westbound exit and eastbound entrance
118.944191.422 Speen Street to I‑90 / Mass Pike / Route 30 – NatickInterchange
119.957193.052 Route 27 – Natick Center, Sherborn, Cochituate, Wayland, ConcordCloverleaf interchange
NorfolkWellesley122.360196.919Weston Road – Needham, WestonInterchange
124.551200.445 Route 16 – Wellesley Hills, NatickPartial interchange
125.896202.610Cedar Street – Newton, Lower Falls, West Newton, NeedhamInterchange
126.545203.654 I-95 / Route 128 – Canton, Providence RI, Peabody, Portsmouth NHExits 20A-B on I-95 / Route 128
Charles River126.867204.173Bridge; eastern terminus of Worcester Street; western terminus of Boylston Street
MiddlesexNewton126.984204.361Chestnut Street – Upper Falls, WabanInterchange
127.956205.925Centre Street – Needham, Dedham, Newton CentreInterchange
128.609206.976Parker Street – Newton Centre, West RoxburyInterchange
129.748208.809Hammond Pond Parkway – West Roxbury, Hyde ParkInterchange
SuffolkBoston132.936213.940Jamaicaway south / Riverway north – Dedham, Providence RI
134.599216.616 Route 2A (Massachusetts Avenue) – Cambridge, Roxbury
135.028217.307Exeter StreetSplit of eastbound and westbound lanes into Stuart Avenue and Avenue of the Arts
135.055217.350 I-90 / Mass Pike west – New YorkEastbound exit and westbound entrance; Exit 22 on I-90 / Mass Pike
135.310217.760
 Route 28 south (Clarendon Street)		Eastern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

References

  1. ^ a b c MassDOT Planning Division. "Massachusetts Route Log Application". Massachusetts Department of Transportation. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
  2. ^ "Route 9 through the years". Retrieved 2012-08-12. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/ProjectInfo.aspx
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