Massachusetts Route 24

Template:Infobox MA Route Route 24 is a freeway south of I-93 in Southeastern Massachusetts, linking Fall River with the Boston metropolitan area. Route 24 is also known as the Fall River Expressway, and officially as the Amvets Highway. Route 24 has a total of 21 exits including the split at its northern terminus with Interstate 93.

The highway starts at the Rhode Island border as a continuation of Route 24 and meets Interstate 195 in Fall River. It briefly runs concurrently with I-195 east (for less than a mile), then travels north, merging with Route 79 around Exit 7 (Fall River). From here they travel north until Exit 9 (Assonet). At this point, 79 exits and 24 continues north, ending at a split junction with Interstate 93 in Randolph. Going north on I-95 right past its junction with I-93 in this area is frequently referred to by its former designation of Route 128.

The original portion of Route 24 opened in 1951, and brought commuters from Exit 10 in Assonet to Raynham. Route 24 is currently 40 miles (65 km) in length with 20 exits.

There have been calls over the years for Route 24 to be upgraded to an interstate highway. In October 2006 the Old Colony Regional Planning Council planned to adopt this proposal as part of its 25-year regional transportation plan. In 1997, a study was initiated by the Massachusetts Highway Department (MHD) and the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) on what improvements were necessary in order to convert the route to an Interstate highway. The proposal was tabled due to high costs projected for reconstruction of part of the highway south of Interstate 495.

Notes

The original Route 24 the one before 1951, is now known as Route 124 on Cape Cod. Route 24, along with Route 138, are both built parallel to an old Indian trail that went along the same north/south route from south of the Boston area into Boston.

Speed limit

• The speed limit on Route 24 is 65 MPH.

Major interchanges

• I-195 (Fall River)
• Route 79 (Assonet)
• Route 140 (Taunton)
• I-495 (various)
• I-93 (Randolph)

Cities and towns

• Assonet, Massachusetts
• Avon, Massachusetts
• Berkley, Massachusetts
• Bridgewater, Massachusetts
• Brockton, Massachusetts
• Fall River, Massachusetts
• Stoughton, Massachusetts
• Taunton, Massachusetts
• Raynham, Massachusetts

References

MA 24 Fall River Expressway on Bostonroads.com <http://www.bostonroads.com/roads/MA-24/>

Sandy Coleman. "Route 24 Crashes Raise Call for Study." The Boston Globe. October 15, 2006. <http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/10/15/route_24_crashes_raise_call_for_study/>