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Route 24 (Massachusetts)
Encyclopedia
Route 24 is a freeway south of I-93 in southeastern Massachusetts
, linking Fall River
with the Boston metropolitan area
. It begins in the south in Fall River at the border with Tiverton, Rhode Island where it connects with Rhode Island Route 24, and runs north to an interchange with Interstate 93
/U.S. Route 1 in Randolph. Route 24 is also known as the Fall River Expressway, and officially as the Amvets Highway. Route 24 has a total of 21 interchanges (including the split at its northern terminus with Interstate 93
.)
Route 24 connects many of the major cities of Massachusetts with Boston: Brockton
, Taunton
, Fall River
, and New Bedford
(via the junction with Route 140).
starts at the Rhode Island
border as a continuation of Rhode Island Route 24 and meets Interstate 195 in Fall River
. It briefly runs concurrently with I-195 east (for less than a mile), then exits the interstate and travels north, merging with Route 79
at Exit 7 in northern Fall River
. Routes 24 and 79 run concurrently northward until Exit 9 (Assonet
). At this point, Route 79 exits the freeway and heads northeast. Route 24 continues north, intersecting the northern end of the Taunton-New Bedford Expressway (Route 140
) in Taunton, and Interstate 495
in Raynham
. The highway continues north through the city of Brockton
and into Randolph
, where Route 24 ends at a split junction with Interstate 93
. This section of I-93 from Braintree to its junction with I-95 is frequently referred to by its former designation of Route 128. This designation was removed from I-93 in 1989, when the roadway obtained the additional designation of U.S. Route 1, although this is not shown on exit signs from Route 24. The route is officially 40.9 miles in length, however, mileposts continue up to 41.2 on the Exit 21B ramp to I-93 south.
The speed limit on Route 24 is 55 mph (25 m/s) from the Rhode Island border to the exit from Interstate 195. North of I-195, the speed limit is 65 mph (29 m/s).
was originally designated Route 24 before 1951, and its number was changed to 124 upon the completion of the initial stretch of the Route 24 freeway.
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 and has 21 interchanges from Fall River to Randolph.
. The current proposal seeks to have the route improved to interstate standards by 2020, the cost for the Stoughton to Bridgewater portion alone is estimated at $224 million.
According to MassHighway, it will be an extension of I-93. The portion south of I-195 will remain MA-24 and then RI-24. There is no word on the designation of I-93/US-1 between exits 1 and 4.
The state is expected to begin work in 2015. The US 44 bridge will be replaced, and two other bridges will be widened.
This is an early estimate of the project of the highway widening and Interstate upgrade project. They are not final.
- Phase I: Randolph I-93 Interchange Reconstruction ($30 million)
- Phase II: Randolph to Stoughton ($56 million)
- Phase III: Canton to Bridgewater ($224 million)
- Phase IV: Bridgewater to I-495 ($175 million)
- Phase V: I-495 to US 44 ($35 million)
- Phase VI: US 44 to Fall River ($357 million)
Total cost is expected to be $877 million, which makes the entire project more expensive than the Route 128 Add-a-lane or the US 3 Add-a-lane projects.
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, linking Fall River
Fall River, Massachusetts
Fall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located about south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and west of New Bedford and south of Taunton. The city's population was 88,857 during the 2010 census, making it the tenth largest city in...
with the Boston metropolitan area
Metropolitan area
The term metropolitan area refers to a region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories, sharing industry, infrastructure, and housing. A metropolitan area usually encompasses multiple jurisdictions and municipalities: neighborhoods, townships,...
. It begins in the south in Fall River at the border with Tiverton, Rhode Island where it connects with Rhode Island Route 24, and runs north to an interchange with Interstate 93
Interstate 93
Interstate 93 is an Interstate Highway in the New England section of the United States. Its southern terminus is in Canton, Massachusetts, in the Boston metropolitan area, at Interstate 95; its northern terminus is near St. Johnsbury, Vermont, at Interstate 91...
/U.S. Route 1 in Randolph. Route 24 is also known as the Fall River Expressway, and officially as the Amvets Highway. Route 24 has a total of 21 interchanges (including the split at its northern terminus with Interstate 93
Interstate 93
Interstate 93 is an Interstate Highway in the New England section of the United States. Its southern terminus is in Canton, Massachusetts, in the Boston metropolitan area, at Interstate 95; its northern terminus is near St. Johnsbury, Vermont, at Interstate 91...
.)
Route 24 connects many of the major cities of Massachusetts with Boston: Brockton
Brockton, Massachusetts
Brockton is a city in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States; the population was 93,810 in the 2010 Census. Brockton, along with Plymouth, are the county seats of Plymouth County...
, Taunton
Taunton, Massachusetts
Taunton is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the seat of Bristol County and the hub of the Greater Taunton Area. The city is located south of Boston, east of Providence, north of Fall River and west of Plymouth. The City of Taunton is situated on the Taunton River...
, Fall River
Fall River, Massachusetts
Fall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located about south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and west of New Bedford and south of Taunton. The city's population was 88,857 during the 2010 census, making it the tenth largest city in...
, and New Bedford
New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about east of Fall River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 95,072, making it the sixth-largest city in Massachusetts...
(via the junction with Route 140).
Route description
The highwayHighway
A highway is any public road. In American English, the term is common and almost always designates major roads. In British English, the term designates any road open to the public. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a "highway system", a "highway network", or a...
starts at the Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
border as a continuation of Rhode Island Route 24 and meets Interstate 195 in Fall River
Fall River, Massachusetts
Fall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located about south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and west of New Bedford and south of Taunton. The city's population was 88,857 during the 2010 census, making it the tenth largest city in...
. It briefly runs concurrently with I-195 east (for less than a mile), then exits the interstate and travels north, merging with Route 79
Route 79 (Massachusetts)
Route 79 is a highway in southeastern Massachusetts. The route begins as a highway in Fall River before becoming a rural route.-Route description:...
at Exit 7 in northern Fall River
Fall River, Massachusetts
Fall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located about south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and west of New Bedford and south of Taunton. The city's population was 88,857 during the 2010 census, making it the tenth largest city in...
. Routes 24 and 79 run concurrently northward until Exit 9 (Assonet
Assonet, Massachusetts
Assonet is one of two villages in the town of Freetown, Massachusetts in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. An original part of the town, Assonet was settled in 1659 along with the city of Fall River, then a part of Freetown. It rests on the banks of the Assonet River...
). At this point, Route 79 exits the freeway and heads northeast. Route 24 continues north, intersecting the northern end of the Taunton-New Bedford Expressway (Route 140
Route 140 (Massachusetts)
Route 140 is a long state highway which passes through parts of southeastern and central Massachusetts. The highway follows a southeast-northwest trajectory, running from U.S...
) in Taunton, and Interstate 495
Interstate 495 (Massachusetts)
Interstate 495 is the designation of an Interstate Highway half-beltway in Massachusetts. It was the longest auxiliary Interstate Highway of its kind—measuring 120.74 miles —until 1996, when the PA Route 9 section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike was redesignated as Interstate 476, making it about ...
in Raynham
Raynham, Massachusetts
Raynham is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 11,739 at the 2000 census. It has one village, Raynham Center.-History:...
. The highway continues north through the city of Brockton
Brockton, Massachusetts
Brockton is a city in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States; the population was 93,810 in the 2010 Census. Brockton, along with Plymouth, are the county seats of Plymouth County...
and into Randolph
Randolph, Massachusetts
The Town of Randolph is a city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 32,112. Randolph adopted a new charter effective January 2010 providing for a council-manager form of government instead of the traditional town meeting...
, where Route 24 ends at a split junction with Interstate 93
Interstate 93
Interstate 93 is an Interstate Highway in the New England section of the United States. Its southern terminus is in Canton, Massachusetts, in the Boston metropolitan area, at Interstate 95; its northern terminus is near St. Johnsbury, Vermont, at Interstate 91...
. This section of I-93 from Braintree to its junction with I-95 is frequently referred to by its former designation of Route 128. This designation was removed from I-93 in 1989, when the roadway obtained the additional designation of U.S. Route 1, although this is not shown on exit signs from Route 24. The route is officially 40.9 miles in length, however, mileposts continue up to 41.2 on the Exit 21B ramp to I-93 south.
The speed limit on Route 24 is 55 mph (25 m/s) from the Rhode Island border to the exit from Interstate 195. North of I-195, the speed limit is 65 mph (29 m/s).
History
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. Route 124 on Cape CodCape Cod
Cape Cod, often referred to locally as simply the Cape, is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States...
was originally designated Route 24 before 1951, and its number was changed to 124 upon the completion of the initial stretch of the Route 24 freeway.
The original portion of Route 24 opened in 1951, and brought commuters from Exit 10 in Assonet to Raynham
Raynham, Massachusetts
Raynham is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 11,739 at the 2000 census. It has one village, Raynham Center.-History:...
. Route 24 is currently 40 miles (65 km) in length and has 21 interchanges from Fall River to Randolph.
Possible upgrades to Interstate standards
There have been calls over the years for Route 24 to be upgraded to an interstate highway. In April 2007 the Old Colony Regional Planning Council included this proposal in its 25-year regional transportation plan draft. The Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) endorsed a similar proposal the month before. In 1997, a study was initiated by the Massachusetts Highway Department (MHD) and the SRPEDD on what improvements were necessary in order to convert the route to an Interstate highway. The project would require major upgrades to 11 interchanges and minor work on 6 others. The proposal was tabled due to high costs projected for reconstruction of part of the highway south of Interstate 495Interstate 495 (Massachusetts)
Interstate 495 is the designation of an Interstate Highway half-beltway in Massachusetts. It was the longest auxiliary Interstate Highway of its kind—measuring 120.74 miles —until 1996, when the PA Route 9 section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike was redesignated as Interstate 476, making it about ...
. The current proposal seeks to have the route improved to interstate standards by 2020, the cost for the Stoughton to Bridgewater portion alone is estimated at $224 million.
According to MassHighway, it will be an extension of I-93. The portion south of I-195 will remain MA-24 and then RI-24. There is no word on the designation of I-93/US-1 between exits 1 and 4.
The state is expected to begin work in 2015. The US 44 bridge will be replaced, and two other bridges will be widened.
This is an early estimate of the project of the highway widening and Interstate upgrade project. They are not final.
- Phase I: Randolph I-93 Interchange Reconstruction ($30 million)
- Phase II: Randolph to Stoughton ($56 million)
- Phase III: Canton to Bridgewater ($224 million)
- Phase IV: Bridgewater to I-495 ($175 million)
- Phase V: I-495 to US 44 ($35 million)
- Phase VI: US 44 to Fall River ($357 million)
Total cost is expected to be $877 million, which makes the entire project more expensive than the Route 128 Add-a-lane or the US 3 Add-a-lane projects.
Exit list
| County | Location | Mile | Exit | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol Bristol County, Massachusetts -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 534,678 people, 205,411 households, and 140,706 families residing in the county. The population density was 962 people per square mile . There were 216,918 housing units at an average density of 390 per square mile... |
Fall River Fall River, Massachusetts Fall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located about south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and west of New Bedford and south of Taunton. The city's population was 88,857 during the 2010 census, making it the tenth largest city in... |
0.0 | Rhode Island state line | ||
| 0.22 | 1 | , Adamsville, RI Adamsville, Rhode Island Adamsville, Rhode Island is a historic village in Little Compton, Rhode Island. It was first settled in 1675 around the time of King Phillip's War.-Historic Sites:... |
Signed as exits 1A (North) and 1B (South) | ||
| 1.71 | 2 | Brayton Avenue / Eastern Avenue | |||
| 1.89 | 3 | – Providence, RI | Northbound exit/southbound entrance only; access to Route 24 north via I-195 Exit 8B; western end of I-195 overlap | ||
| 2.53 | 4 | Southbound exit/northbound entrance only; access to Route 24 south via I-195 Exit 8A; eastern end of I-195 overlap | |||
| 5.03 | 5 | ||||
| 7.45 | 6 | Highland Avenue | Southbound exit/northbound entrance only | ||
| 7.61 | 7 | Southbound exit/northbound entrance only; southern end of Route 79 overlap | |||
| 7.91 | 8 | North Main Street | |||
| Assonet Assonet, Massachusetts Assonet is one of two villages in the town of Freetown, Massachusetts in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. An original part of the town, Assonet was settled in 1659 along with the city of Fall River, then a part of Freetown. It rests on the banks of the Assonet River... |
10.87 | 9 | Northern end of Route 79 overlap | ||
| 12.19 | 10 | North Main Street – Assonet, Dighton | |||
| Berkley Berkley, Massachusetts Berkley is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 5,749 at the 2000 census, making it the least populated town in the county.-Geography:... |
15.30 | 11 | Padelford Street – Berkley, Dighton | ||
| Taunton Taunton, Massachusetts Taunton is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the seat of Bristol County and the hub of the Greater Taunton Area. The city is located south of Boston, east of Providence, north of Fall River and west of Plymouth. The City of Taunton is situated on the Taunton River... |
17.00 | 12 | Signed as exits 12A (South) and 12B (North) northbound | ||
| Raynham Raynham, Massachusetts Raynham is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 11,739 at the 2000 census. It has one village, Raynham Center.-History:... |
19.47 | 13 | Signed as exits 13A (East) and 13B (West) | ||
| Plymouth Plymouth County, Massachusetts Plymouth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. As of 2010, the population was 494,919. Its county seats are Plymouth and Brockton... |
Bridgewater Bridgewater, Massachusetts For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place Bridgewater, please see the article Bridgewater , Massachusetts.The Town of Bridgewater is a city in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States, 28 miles south of Boston. At the 2000 Census, the population was 25,185... |
22.49 | 14 | Signed as exits 14A (South) and 14B (North) | |
| Service Area - Food and Gas | |||||
| 23.88 | 15 | ||||
| West Bridgewater West Bridgewater, Massachusetts West Bridgewater is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 6,634 at the 2000 census.- History :West Bridgewater was first settled in 1651 as a part of Olde Bridgewater... |
27.45 | 16 | Signed as exits 16A (East) and 16B (West) | ||
| Brockton Brockton, Massachusetts Brockton is a city in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States; the population was 93,810 in the 2010 Census. Brockton, along with Plymouth, are the county seats of Plymouth County... |
30.85 | 17 | Signed as exits 17A (East) and 17B (West) | ||
| 33.08 | 18 | Signed as exits 18A (South) and 18B (North) | |||
| Norfolk Norfolk County, Massachusetts -National protected areas:* Adams National Historical Park* Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area * Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site* John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site-Demographics:... |
Avon Avon, Massachusetts At the 2000 census, there were 4,443 people, 1,705 households and 1,220 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,014.7 per square mile . There were 1,740 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 93.45% White, 3.74% African American, 0.27% Native... |
35.27 | 19 | Harrison Boulevard / Central Street | Signed as exits 19A (East) and 19B (West) |
| Stoughton Stoughton, Massachusetts Stoughton is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 26,962 at the 2010 census. The town is located approximately from Boston, from Providence, and from Cape Cod.-History:... |
37.50 | 20 | Signed as exits 20A (East) and 20B (West) | ||
| Randolph Randolph, Massachusetts The Town of Randolph is a city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 32,112. Randolph adopted a new charter effective January 2010 providing for a council-manager form of government instead of the traditional town meeting... |
40.39 | 21 | Northbound exit only; signed as exit 21A (North) and left exit 21B (South, To I-95) | ||
| 40.91 | Northern terminus | ||||