Massachusetts Route 85

Route 85 is a 21.01-mile-long (33.81 km) north–south state highway in Massachusetts, United States. It passes through the heart of Boston's MetroWest region, through towns on the eastern edge of Worcester County and western edge of Middlesex County, crossing the border between the two counties four times. Throughout its entire distance, Route 85 runs parallel to I-495, never passing more than two miles from it.

Route 85
Route 85 highlighted in red
Route information
Length21.0100 mi[1] (33.8123 km)
Major junctions
South end Route 16 in Milford
 
North end Route 117 in Bolton
Highway system
← I‑84→ I‑86

Route description

Route 85 begins in the town of Milford at Route 16, just west of the downtown area. It passes east of Milford Pond before meeting I-495 at Exit 20. From there, Route 85 heads northward into Hopkinton, passing the eastern side of Echo Lake. It intersects Route 135 at the center of town, less than a quarter mile west of the start line of the Boston Marathon. It then passes through Hopkinton State Forest and past the Hopkinton Reservoir before entering the town of Southborough.

Route 85 southbound in Hopkinton

In Southborough, Route 85 crosses under I-90 (the Mass Pike) without junction; the nearest exit is in neighboring Framingham. It then meets Route 9, the second of the four major east-west routes out of Boston, in an elevated four-way cloverleaf intersection. It then crosses the Sudbury Reservoir before meeting Route 30 at the center of town. From there, Route 85 continues northward into Marlborough, meeting U.S. Route 20 in the downtown area. It then crosses the far western edge of the Fort Meadow Reservoir before crossing into Hudson.

Shortly after entering Hudson, Route 85 meets Hudson Street, the super two connector road between Route 85 and the junction of I-290 and I-495 at I-495's Exit 25 and I-290's terminus, Exit 26. From there Route 85 heads north, crossing the Assabet River before meeting Route 62, passing concurrently with that route through Wood Square before Route 85 continues northward. After passing into Bolton, the route passes between Little Pond and West Pond before ending at Route 117, less than a half mile east of I-495's exit 27.

Route 85 Connector

MA 85 Connector is a road that goes from the eastern terminus of Interstate 290 (I-290) to MA 85, 0.9-mile (1.4 km) away in Marlborough.[2]

Future

Improvements to Route 85 in Hudson

In 2011 a $10.8 million project to reconstruct 7,700 feet (1.5 miles) from School Street/Park Street to the Marlborough City Line will begin. The project will consist of 11-foot (3.4 m) travel lanes and 4-foot (1.2 m) bike shoulders with 5.5-foot (1.7 m) concrete sidewalks throughout the project corridor. The Walmart Driveway will be reconstructed with bicycle accommodation, ADA compliance, and a new traffic signal. At the intersection of the Route 85 Connector and Technology Drive, the intersection will be reconstructed. A new northbound left turn lane will be constructed, new through lane constructed on Technology Drive, new through lane on Route 85 Connector and a new wire traffic signal. The section between Route 85 Connector and Broad Street will consist of four lanes (two in each direction) with a 4-foot (1.2 m) raised concrete median. At the intersection of Broad Street, the existing signal will be replaced with a two-lane roundabout. The roadway will be widened to four lanes (two in each direction)from Houghton Street to Broad Street. A new traffic signal will be installed at R.K Town Centre Drive with a new turn lane. A new traffic signal will be installed at Giasson Street. A new northbound left turn lane with a new traffic signal will be installed at Brigham Street. From Brigham Street to Park Street, the roadway will be cold planed and resurfaced with drainage, curbing, sidewalks and driveways included. At Park Street/School Street, a new traffic signal will be installed and a new southbound right turn lane will be constructed.

Hudson Route 85 Bridge

Beginning in 2013, MassDOT will replace the existing structurally deficient arch bridge with a new bridge. The estimated cost is $7 million. The project is funded as part of the Accelerated Bridge Program and will use an innovative construction. The new bridge will consist of new concrete reinforced abutments and a new concrete NEXT beam superstructure.

Major intersections
CountyLocationmi[1]kmDestinationsNotes
WorcesterMilford0.0000.000 Route 16 (Main Street) – Mendon, Uxbridge, HollistonSouthern terminus; serves Milford Regional Medical Center
1.32.1 I‑495 – Taunton, Cape Cod, Marlboro, LowellDiamond interchange; I-495 Exit 20
MiddlesexHopkinton5.99.5 Route 135 (Main Street) to I‑495 – Westboro, Ashland
WorcesterSouthborough10.416.7 Route 9 – Framingham, Boston, Worcester, AmherstCloverleaf interchange
11.418.3 Route 30 – Framingham, Cochituate, Westboro
MiddlesexMarlborough14.523.3 US 20 to I‑495 – Northboro, Worcester, Sudbury
Hudson16.927.2 To I‑290 west / I‑495Access via 0.9-mile (1.4 km) Route 85 Connector[2]
18.129.1 Route 62 east (Main Street east) / Felton Street – Stow, MaynardRotary; south end of concurrency with Route 62
18.10529.137 Route 62 west (Central Street) to I‑495 – Berlin, ClintonNorth end of concurrency with Route 62
WorcesterBolton21.033.8 Route 117 (Main Street) – Bolton, Lancaster, StowNorthern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

References
  1. "Massachusetts Route Log Application". MassDOT. 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
  2. Google (August 10, 2015). "Route 85 Connector" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
KML is from Wikidata

Reconstruction of State Route 85

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