Massachusetts Route 147
Encyclopedia
Route 147 is a west–east state highway
in Massachusetts
, serving the cities of Agawam
and West Springfield
. It follows the easternmost few miles of the former route of Route 57
before it was moved onto a limited access freeway a mile south, the Henry E. Bodurtha Highway, completed in 1966.
routes having the same number that enter Massachusetts four miles (6 km) to the south. At the intersection, Route 147 takes a left turn onto a bridge over the Westfield River
and enters West Springfield.
Route 147 in West Springfield follows Memorial Avenue east-northeast past the Eastern States Exposition grounds, where the agricultural state fair
for the six New England
states meets each year. The route continues down Memorial Avenue past the large former Boston and Albany
, now CSX, rail freight yard. Route 147 then continues past the Century Center shopping center before ending at US 5/Riverdale Street at a rotary adjacent to the Memorial Bridge
over the Connecticut River
into Springfield
.
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
in Massachusetts
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...
, serving the cities of Agawam
Agawam, Massachusetts
The Town of Agawam is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 28,438 at the 2010 census. Agawam sits on the western side of the Connecticut River, directly across from the City of Springfield, Massachusetts...
and West Springfield
West Springfield, Massachusetts
The Town of West Springfield is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 28,391 at the 2010 census...
. It follows the easternmost few miles of the former route of Route 57
Massachusetts Route 57
Route 57 is an east–west Massachusetts state route that runs from Monterey to Agawam. The eastern 5.0 miles in Agawam is a freeway that runs from Route 187 to the route's eastern terminus at U.S. Route 5.- Route description :...
before it was moved onto a limited access freeway a mile south, the Henry E. Bodurtha Highway, completed in 1966.
Route description
Route 147 begins at the intersection of Springfield Street and Mill Street in Agawam, where Springfield Street bears northeast and Mill Street begins east. The route continues northeast for two miles (3 km) then turns east at the intersection with North Street. Route 147 follows Springfield Street to an intersection with Route 75/Suffield Street and Route 159/Main Street. Route 75 and Route 159 both are continuations of ConnecticutConnecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
routes having the same number that enter Massachusetts four miles (6 km) to the south. At the intersection, Route 147 takes a left turn onto a bridge over the Westfield River
Westfield River
The Westfield River in Metropolitan Springfield, Massachusetts, is a major tributary of the Connecticut River in Hampden County, Massachusetts. The Westfield River has four major tributary branches that confluence in the City of Westfield, for which the river is named...
and enters West Springfield.
Route 147 in West Springfield follows Memorial Avenue east-northeast past the Eastern States Exposition grounds, where the agricultural state fair
State fair
A state fair is a competitive and recreational gathering of a U.S. state's population. It is a larger version of a county fair, often including only exhibits or competitors that have won in their categories at the more-local county fairs....
for the six New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
states meets each year. The route continues down Memorial Avenue past the large former Boston and Albany
Boston and Albany Railroad
The Boston and Albany Railroad was a railroad connecting Boston, Massachusetts to Albany, New York, later becoming part of the New York Central Railroad system, Conrail and CSX. The line is used by CSX for freight...
, now CSX, rail freight yard. Route 147 then continues past the Century Center shopping center before ending at US 5/Riverdale Street at a rotary adjacent to the Memorial Bridge
Memorial Bridge (Massachusetts)
The Memorial Bridge is a reinforced-concrete arch bridge that spans the Connecticut River between Springfield, Massachusetts and West Springfield, Massachusetts, constructed in 1922. The bridge is owned by Massachusetts Highway Department and is located on Massachusetts Route 147...
over the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
into Springfield
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
.