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Route 122 (Massachusetts)
Encyclopedia
Route 122 is a southeast-northwest state highway
in Massachusetts
that is a continuation of RI Route 122. The highway is signed as south–north.
as a continuation of Rhode Island Route 122. The route passes along the Blackstone River
through Blackstone and Millville
as the main street through both towns. In Uxbridge
the route crosses the river before meeting Route 146A at its northern terminus, in front of Uxbridge District Court. In the center of Uxbridge the route intersects Route 16
. From there, the route continues northward into Northbridge
. Route 122 roughly bisects that town, crossing the Blackstone River again in the northern end of town.
From Northbridge, Route 122 enters the Worcester suburb of Grafton
. In the Farnumsville section of town, Route 122A
begins, splitting from its parent route and heading west into Sutton
. Route 122, meanwhile, continues north, crossing through the center of town before becoming concurrent with Route 140 near Lake Ripple. The two routes split after nearly 1.5 miles (2.4 km), crossing under the Massachusetts Turnpike
(I-90) without junction just before the split. From there, Route 122 turns west, crossing the corner of Millbury
(where Exit 11 of the Mass Pike meets the route) before entering the city of Worcester
.
Once in Worcester, Route 122 meets U.S. Route 20
at an above-grade intersection. It then passes through the southeast corner of town before heading towards downtown. Once there, Route 122 crosses under I-290
at Exit 14. The route then splits along two one-way streets before meeting Route 122A once more at Kelly Square. The two routes head westward, splitting when Route 122A joins a concurrency with Route 9 and Route 12. Route 122 then continues westward into the town of Paxton
.
In Paxton, the route runs concurrently with Route 56
from near Kettle Brook Reservoir Number 4 to the center of town, where Route 56 joins Route 31 for a brief concurrency before those two routes split. Meanwhile, Route 122 heads northwestward past Moore State Park and into the town of Rutland
. In Rutland, Route 122A finally ends at its parent route, near Long Pond and Rutland State Park. Route 122 turns westward through the park into the town of Oakham
, where Route 122 meets the northern end of Route 148
before turning northward into Barre
.
In Barre, Route 122 becomes concurrent with Route 32, continuing through Barre Common (where Route 62 begins) and into Petersham
. Near Petersham Center, Route 32 splits from Route 122, and Route 32A crosses the route shortly after. The route also crosses Turnpike Street, the former routing of Route 21
before the creation of the Quabbin Reservoir
. In neighboring New Salem
(in Franklin County
), Route 122 becomes concurrent with U.S. Route 202
. Approximately a mile later, the two routes split shortly after entering Orange
. Route 122 turns northwest from there, crossing Route 2 at Exit 15 before finally ending at Route 2A, just north of the Millers River in the center of town.
To celebrate Route 122 North becoming a State Scenic Byway, in October and November 2007, BJ Hill walked the 40 miles (64.4 km) corridor, beginning in downtown Orange and ending at Worcester State College
. Along the way, he filmed the route, step by step, with a shoulder-mounted bullet cam. The video and photos can be seen at his website, www.route122.com.
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...
that is a continuation of RI Route 122. The highway is signed as south–north.
Route description
Route 122 begins in BlackstoneBlackstone, Massachusetts
Blackstone is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 9,026 at the 2010 census. It is formally a part of the Providence metropolitan area. Blackstone is the only municipality in Massachusetts to employ automatic cameras in traffic enforcement.- History :This...
as a continuation of Rhode Island Route 122. The route passes along the Blackstone River
Blackstone River
The Blackstone River is a river in the U.S. states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It flows approximately 48 mi and drains a watershed of approximately 540 sq. mi...
through Blackstone and Millville
Millville, Massachusetts
Millville is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,190 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Providence metropolitan area.- History :...
as the main street through both towns. In Uxbridge
Uxbridge, Massachusetts
Uxbridge is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It was first settled in 1662, incorporated in 1727 at Suffolk County, and named for the Earl of Uxbridge. Uxbridge is south-southeast of Worcester, north-northwest of Providence, and southwest of Boston. It is part of...
the route crosses the river before meeting Route 146A at its northern terminus, in front of Uxbridge District Court. In the center of Uxbridge the route intersects Route 16
Massachusetts Route 16
Route 16 is an east–west state highway in Massachusetts. It begins in the west at an intersection with Route 12 and Route 193 in Webster, just north of the Connecticut state border...
. From there, the route continues northward into Northbridge
Northbridge, Massachusetts
Northbridge is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 15,707 at the 2010 census. The Northbridge Town Hall is located at 7 Main Street in Whitinsville. The town is now a part of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, of the National Park...
. Route 122 roughly bisects that town, crossing the Blackstone River again in the northern end of town.
From Northbridge, Route 122 enters the Worcester suburb of Grafton
Grafton, Massachusetts
Grafton is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 17,765 at the 2010 census. Grafton is the home of a Nipmuc village known as Hassanamisco Reservation, the Willard House and Clock Museum, and the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine...
. In the Farnumsville section of town, Route 122A
Massachusetts Route 122A
Route 122A is a southeast-northwest state highway in Massachusetts. It is an alternate route of Massachusetts Route 122, with a mile-long concurrency with its parent route in downtown Worcester.-Route description:...
begins, splitting from its parent route and heading west into Sutton
Sutton, Massachusetts
-Library:The Sutton Free Library was established in 1876. In fiscal year 2008, the town of Sutton spent 0.7% of its budget on its public library—some $18 per person.-Education:...
. Route 122, meanwhile, continues north, crossing through the center of town before becoming concurrent with Route 140 near Lake Ripple. The two routes split after nearly 1.5 miles (2.4 km), crossing under the Massachusetts Turnpike
Massachusetts Turnpike
The Massachusetts Turnpike is the easternmost stretch of Interstate 90. The Turnpike begins at the western border of Massachusetts in West Stockbridge connecting with the Berkshire Connector portion of the New York State Thruway...
(I-90) without junction just before the split. From there, Route 122 turns west, crossing the corner of Millbury
Millbury, Massachusetts
Millbury is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 13,261 at the 2010 census. The town is part of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor.-History:...
(where Exit 11 of the Mass Pike meets the route) before entering the city of Worcester
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
.
Once in Worcester, Route 122 meets U.S. Route 20
U.S. Route 20 in Massachusetts
The cross-country U.S. Route 20 runs its easternmost in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. The highway crosses the state border from New Lebanon, New York into Hancock, Massachusetts, and runs eastward into Boston, where it ends at Route 2 in Kenmore Square...
at an above-grade intersection. It then passes through the southeast corner of town before heading towards downtown. Once there, Route 122 crosses under I-290
Interstate 290 (Massachusetts)
Interstate 290 runs for from Auburn, Massachusetts to Marlborough, Massachusetts. It is a continuation of I-395 north of I-90 and runs through downtown Worcester, Massachusetts, I-190 splits off, and I-290 runs across Lake Quinsigamond and east to I-495 in Marlborough...
at Exit 14. The route then splits along two one-way streets before meeting Route 122A once more at Kelly Square. The two routes head westward, splitting when Route 122A joins a concurrency with Route 9 and Route 12. Route 122 then continues westward into the town of Paxton
Paxton, Massachusetts
Paxton is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 4,806 at the 2010 census.-History:Paxton was first settled in 1749 and was officially incorporated in 1765....
.
In Paxton, the route runs concurrently with Route 56
Massachusetts Route 56
Route 56 is a north–south state highway running through central Worcester County, Massachusetts.-Route description:Route 56 begins at Route 12 in North Oxford. It crosses the French River before meeting U.S. Route 20. It continues north, passing under I-90 without access between the two...
from near Kettle Brook Reservoir Number 4 to the center of town, where Route 56 joins Route 31 for a brief concurrency before those two routes split. Meanwhile, Route 122 heads northwestward past Moore State Park and into the town of Rutland
Rutland, Massachusetts
Rutland is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 7,973 at the 2010 census. Worcester County's only buffalo herd is located in Rutland, at Alta Vista Farm...
. In Rutland, Route 122A finally ends at its parent route, near Long Pond and Rutland State Park. Route 122 turns westward through the park into the town of Oakham
Oakham, Massachusetts
Oakham is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,902 at the 2010 census.- History :Oakham was first settled in 1749 and was officially incorporated in 1762...
, where Route 122 meets the northern end of Route 148
Massachusetts Route 148
Route 148 is a south–north highway in central Massachusetts.-Route description:Route 148 begins at U.S. Route 20 in Fiskdale, a village in Sturbridge...
before turning northward into Barre
Barre, Massachusetts
Barre is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 5,398 at the 2010 census.-History:Originally called the Northwest District of Rutland, it was first settled in 1720. The town was incorporated on June 17, 1774, as Hutchinson after Thomas Hutchinson, colonial...
.
In Barre, Route 122 becomes concurrent with Route 32, continuing through Barre Common (where Route 62 begins) and into Petersham
Petersham, Massachusetts
Petersham is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,234 at the 2010 census. Petersham is home to a considerable amount of conservation land, including the Quabbin Reservation, Harvard Forest, the Swift River Reservation, and Federated Women's Club State...
. Near Petersham Center, Route 32 splits from Route 122, and Route 32A crosses the route shortly after. The route also crosses Turnpike Street, the former routing of Route 21
Massachusetts Route 21
Route 21 is a south–north state highway in Massachusetts that runs between Springfield and Belchertown.-Route description:The route begins at U.S. Route 20 in the Indian Orchard section of Springfield. It heads north, intersecting with Route 141 before crossing the Chicopee River into...
before the creation of the Quabbin Reservoir
Quabbin Reservoir
The Quabbin Reservoir is the largest inland body of water in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and was built between 1930 and 1939. Today along with the Wachusett Reservoir, it is the primary water supply for Boston, some to the east, as well as 40 other communities in Greater Boston...
. In neighboring New Salem
New Salem, Massachusetts
New Salem is a town in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 990 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
(in Franklin County
Franklin County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 71,535 people, 29,466 households, and 18,416 families residing in the county. The population density was 102 people per square mile . There were 31,939 housing units at an average density of 46 per square mile...
), Route 122 becomes concurrent with U.S. Route 202
U.S. Route 202
U.S. Route 202 is a highway stretching from Delaware to Maine, also passing through the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire....
. Approximately a mile later, the two routes split shortly after entering Orange
Orange, Massachusetts
Orange is a town in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 7,839 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.Part of the town is included in the census-designated place of Orange....
. Route 122 turns northwest from there, crossing Route 2 at Exit 15 before finally ending at Route 2A, just north of the Millers River in the center of town.
To celebrate Route 122 North becoming a State Scenic Byway, in October and November 2007, BJ Hill walked the 40 miles (64.4 km) corridor, beginning in downtown Orange and ending at Worcester State College
Worcester State College
Worcester State University is a public, four-year college founded in 1874 as Worcester Normal School in the city of Worcester, Massachusetts. Although WSC traditionally has an emphasis on education, business, and biotechnology, the College offers Bachelors and Masters degrees in over 20 academic...
. Along the way, he filmed the route, step by step, with a shoulder-mounted bullet cam. The video and photos can be seen at his website, www.route122.com.
Junction list
| County | Location | Milepost | Roads Intersected | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester Worcester County, Massachusetts -Demographics:In 1990 Worcester County had a population of 709,705.As of the census of 2000, there were 750,963 people, 283,927 households, and 192,502 families residing in the county. The population density was 496 people per square mile . There were 298,159 housing units at an average density... |
Blackstone Blackstone, Massachusetts Blackstone is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 9,026 at the 2010 census. It is formally a part of the Providence metropolitan area. Blackstone is the only municipality in Massachusetts to employ automatic cameras in traffic enforcement.- History :This... |
0.00 |  R.I. Route 122 |
Northern end of R.I. Route 122. Southern end of Massachusetts Route 122. |
| Uxbridge Uxbridge, Massachusetts Uxbridge is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It was first settled in 1662, incorporated in 1727 at Suffolk County, and named for the Earl of Uxbridge. Uxbridge is south-southeast of Worcester, north-northwest of Providence, and southwest of Boston. It is part of... |
6.7 |  Route 146A South |
Northern terminus of Route 146A. | |
| 7.7 |  Route 16Massachusetts Route 16 Route 16 is an east–west state highway in Massachusetts. It begins in the west at an intersection with Route 12 and Route 193 in Webster, just north of the Connecticut state border... |
Short concurrency with Route 16. | ||
| Grafton Grafton, Massachusetts Grafton is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 17,765 at the 2010 census. Grafton is the home of a Nipmuc village known as Hassanamisco Reservation, the Willard House and Clock Museum, and the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine... |
15.9 |  Route 122AMassachusetts Route 122A Route 122A is a southeast-northwest state highway in Massachusetts. It is an alternate route of Massachusetts Route 122, with a mile-long concurrency with its parent route in downtown Worcester.-Route description:... North |
Southern terminus of Route 122A. | |
| 18.7 |  Route 140 South |
Southern terminus of concurrency with Route 140 | ||
| 20.1 | Route 140 North Route 30 East |
Northern terminus of concurrency with Route 140. Western terminus of Route 30 begins concurrently with Route 140. |
||
| Millbury Millbury, Massachusetts Millbury is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 13,261 at the 2010 census. The town is part of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor.-History:... |
21.8 |  I-90Massachusetts Turnpike The Massachusetts Turnpike is the easternmost stretch of Interstate 90. The Turnpike begins at the western border of Massachusetts in West Stockbridge connecting with the Berkshire Connector portion of the New York State Thruway... |
Mass Pike Exit 11. | |
| Worcester Worcester, Massachusetts Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston.... |
22.5 |  US 20U.S. Route 20 U.S. Route 20 is an east–west United States highway. As the "0" in its route number implies, US 20 is a coast-to-coast route. Spanning , it is the longest road in the United States, and the route sparsely parallels Interstate 90... |
Above-grade interchange | |
| 25.6 |  I-290Interstate 290 (Massachusetts) Interstate 290 runs for from Auburn, Massachusetts to Marlborough, Massachusetts. It is a continuation of I-395 north of I-90 and runs through downtown Worcester, Massachusetts, I-190 splits off, and I-290 runs across Lake Quinsigamond and east to I-495 in Marlborough... |
Interstate 290 Exit 14. | ||
| 26.2 | Route 122A Massachusetts Route 122A Route 122A is a southeast-northwest state highway in Massachusetts. It is an alternate route of Massachusetts Route 122, with a mile-long concurrency with its parent route in downtown Worcester.-Route description:... South |
Southern terminus of concurrency with Route 122A | ||
| 27.4 |   Routes 9/12Massachusetts Route 12 Massachusetts Route 12 is a north-south state highway that runs through central Massachusetts from the Connecticut state line at Dudley to the New Hampshire state line at Winchendon.-Route description:... Route 122AMassachusetts Route 122A Route 122A is a southeast-northwest state highway in Massachusetts. It is an alternate route of Massachusetts Route 122, with a mile-long concurrency with its parent route in downtown Worcester.-Route description:... North |
Northern terminus of concurrency with Route 122A. | ||
| Paxton Paxton, Massachusetts Paxton is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 4,806 at the 2010 census.-History:Paxton was first settled in 1749 and was officially incorporated in 1765.... |
33.0 |  Route 56Massachusetts Route 56 Route 56 is a north–south state highway running through central Worcester County, Massachusetts.-Route description:Route 56 begins at Route 12 in North Oxford. It crosses the French River before meeting U.S. Route 20. It continues north, passing under I-90 without access between the two... South |
Southern terminus of concurrency with Route 56 | |
| 34.3 | Route 56 Massachusetts Route 56 Route 56 is a north–south state highway running through central Worcester County, Massachusetts.-Route description:Route 56 begins at Route 12 in North Oxford. It crosses the French River before meeting U.S. Route 20. It continues north, passing under I-90 without access between the two... North  Route 31 |
Northern end of concurrency with Route 56. Route 56 begins concurrency with Route 31 North. |
||
| Rutland Rutland, Massachusetts Rutland is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 7,973 at the 2010 census. Worcester County's only buffalo herd is located in Rutland, at Alta Vista Farm... |
39.1 | Route 122A Massachusetts Route 122A Route 122A is a southeast-northwest state highway in Massachusetts. It is an alternate route of Massachusetts Route 122, with a mile-long concurrency with its parent route in downtown Worcester.-Route description:... South |
Northern terminus of Route 122A. | |
| Oakham Oakham, Massachusetts Oakham is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,902 at the 2010 census.- History :Oakham was first settled in 1749 and was officially incorporated in 1762... |
41.1 |  Route 148Massachusetts Route 148 Route 148 is a south–north highway in central Massachusetts.-Route description:Route 148 begins at U.S. Route 20 in Fiskdale, a village in Sturbridge... South |
Northern terminus of Route 148. | |
| Barre Barre, Massachusetts Barre is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 5,398 at the 2010 census.-History:Originally called the Northwest District of Rutland, it was first settled in 1720. The town was incorporated on June 17, 1774, as Hutchinson after Thomas Hutchinson, colonial... |
47.0 |  Route 32 |
Southern terminus of concurrency with Route 32. | |
| 48.1 |  Route 62 |
Western terminus of Route 62. | ||
| Petersham Petersham, Massachusetts Petersham is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,234 at the 2010 census. Petersham is home to a considerable amount of conservation land, including the Quabbin Reservation, Harvard Forest, the Swift River Reservation, and Federated Women's Club State... |
55.4 | Route 32 |
Northern terminus of concurrency with Route 32. | |
| 55.9 |  Route 32A |
|||
| 59.0 |  Route 21Massachusetts Route 21 Route 21 is a south–north state highway in Massachusetts that runs between Springfield and Belchertown.-Route description:The route begins at U.S. Route 20 in the Indian Orchard section of Springfield. It heads north, intersecting with Route 141 before crossing the Chicopee River into... |
Former intersection of Routes 122 and 21. | ||
| Franklin Franklin County, Massachusetts -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 71,535 people, 29,466 households, and 18,416 families residing in the county. The population density was 102 people per square mile . There were 31,939 housing units at an average density of 46 per square mile... |
New Salem New Salem, Massachusetts New Salem is a town in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 990 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :... |
63.4 |  U.S. Route 202U.S. Route 202 U.S. Route 202 is a highway stretching from Delaware to Maine, also passing through the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.... South |
Southern terminus of concurrency with Route 202. |
| Orange Orange, Massachusetts Orange is a town in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 7,839 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.Part of the town is included in the census-designated place of Orange.... |
64.3 | US 202 U.S. Route 202 U.S. Route 202 is a highway stretching from Delaware to Maine, also passing through the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.... North |
Northern terminus of concurrency with Route 202. | |
| 64.9 |  Route 2 |
Route 2 Exit 15. | ||
| 67.15 |  Route 2A |
Northern terminus of Route 122. |