Route 85 (Massachusetts) - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Route 85, is a north–south state highway

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...

, United States. It passes through the heart of Boston's

Boston

Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...

MetroWest

MetroWest is a cluster of cities and towns lying west of Boston and east of Worcester, in the US state of Massachusetts. The name was coined in the 1980s by a local newspaper....

region, through towns on the eastern edge of Worcester County

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...

and western edge of Middlesex County

Middlesex County, Massachusetts

-National protected areas:* Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge* Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge* Longfellow National Historic Site* Lowell National Historical Park* Minute Man National Historical Park* Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge...

, 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 east of it.

Route description

Route 85 begins in the town of Milford

Milford, Massachusetts

Milford is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. It had a population of 27,999 at the 2010 census.For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place Milford, constituting the center of the town, please see the article Milford ,...

at 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...

, just east of the downtown area. It passes east of Milford Pond before meeting I-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 ...

at Exit 20. From there, Route 85 heads northward into Hopkinton

Hopkinton, Massachusetts

Hopkinton is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, just under 30 miles west and south of Boston. The town is best known as the starting point of the Boston Marathon, held annually on Patriots' Day in April, and as the home of computer storage firm EMC Corporation.For geographic and demographic...

, 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

Boston Marathon

The Boston Marathon is an annual marathon hosted by the U.S. city of Boston, Massachusetts, on Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April. Begun in 1897 and inspired by the success of the first modern-day marathon competition in the 1896 Summer Olympics, the Boston Marathon is the world's oldest...

. It then passes through Hopkinton State Forest and past the Hopkinton Reservoir before entering the town of Southborough

Southborough, Massachusetts

Southborough is an affluent town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. It incorporates the smaller villages of Cordaville, Fayville, and Southville. Its name is often informally shortened to Southboro, a usage seen on many area signs and maps. Its population was 9,767 at the 2010...

.

In Southborough, Route 85 crosses under I-90

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...

(the Mass Pike) without junction; the nearest exit is in neighboring Framingham

Framingham, Massachusetts

Framingham is a New England town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 68,318 as of the United States 2010 Census. -History:...

. 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

Sudbury Reservoir

The Sudbury Reservoir is a former Boston metropolitan water reservoir located in Framingham, Marlborough, Southborough, and Westborough, Massachusetts, USA...

before meeting Route 30 at the center of town. From there, Route 85 continues northward into Marlborough

Marlborough, Massachusetts

Marlborough is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 38,499 at the 2010 census. Marlborough became a prosperous industrial town in the 19th century and made the transition to high technology industry in the late 20th century after the construction of the...

, meeting 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...

in the downtown area. It then crosses the far western edge of the Fort Meadow Reservoir before crossing into Hudson

Hudson, Massachusetts

Hudson is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 19,063 at the 2010 census. The town is located in central Massachusetts, about a 40-minute drive, or about , west of Boston, and about a 20-minute drive, or about , northeast of Worcester.Before its...

.

Shortly after entering Hudson, Route 85 meets Hudson Street, the super two

Super two

A super two, super two-lane highway or wide two lane is a two-lane surface road built to high standards, typically including partial control of access, occasional passing lanes and hard shoulders...

connector road between Route 85 and the junction of 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...

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

Assabet River

The Assabet River is a small river about west of Boston, Massachusetts. The river is long. The , headquartered in West Concord, Massachusetts, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, protection, and enhancement of the natural and recreational features of the Assabet River and...

before meeting Route 62, passing concurrently with that route through Wood Square before Route 85 continues northward. After passing into Bolton

Bolton, Massachusetts

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,148 people, 1,424 households, and 1,201 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 1,476 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 97.76% White, 0.19% African American, 0.05% Native American, 1.30%...

, 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.

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 Marlborough C.L will begin. The project will consist of 11 feet (3.4 m) travel lanes and 4 feet (1.2 m) bike shoulders with 5.5 feet (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 dirrection) with a 4 feet (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 new turn lane. A new traffic signal will be installed at Giason Street. A new northbound left turn lane with a new traffic signal will be installed at Brighman Street. From Brighman 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, the 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.

Junction list

County	Location	Mile	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...	Milford Milford, Massachusetts Milford is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. It had a population of 27,999 at the 2010 census.For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place Milford, constituting the center of the town, please see the article Milford ,...	0.00	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...	Southern terminus of Route 85. To Route 109 Massachusetts Route 109 Route 109 is a state highway in eastern Massachusetts. It runs from Route 16 in Milford east to the VFW Parkway in West Roxbury. Most of Route 109 runs along a portion of the Hartford and Dedham Turnpike.-Route description:... , via Route 16 East.
		1.3	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 ...	I-495 Exit 20.
Middlesex Middlesex County, Massachusetts -National protected areas:* Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge* Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge* Longfellow National Historic Site* Lowell National Historical Park* Minute Man National Historical Park* Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge...	Hopkinton Hopkinton, Massachusetts Hopkinton is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, just under 30 miles west and south of Boston. The town is best known as the starting point of the Boston Marathon, held annually on Patriots' Day in April, and as the home of computer storage firm EMC Corporation.For geographic and demographic...	5.9	Route 135
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...	Southborough Southborough, Massachusetts Southborough is an affluent town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. It incorporates the smaller villages of Cordaville, Fayville, and Southville. Its name is often informally shortened to Southboro, a usage seen on many area signs and maps. Its population was 9,767 at the 2010...	9.4	I-90/Mass Pike 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...	Crossing of Route 85 and I-90 without junction.
		10.4	Route 9	Cloverleaf interchange.
		11.4	Route 30
Middlesex Middlesex County, Massachusetts -National protected areas:* Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge* Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge* Longfellow National Historic Site* Lowell National Historical Park* Minute Man National Historical Park* Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge...	Marlborough Marlborough, Massachusetts Marlborough is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 38,499 at the 2010 census. Marlborough became a prosperous industrial town in the 19th century and made the transition to high technology industry in the late 20th century after the construction of the...	14.5	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...
	Hudson Hudson, Massachusetts Hudson is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 19,063 at the 2010 census. The town is located in central Massachusetts, about a 40-minute drive, or about , west of Boston, and about a 20-minute drive, or about , northeast of Worcester.Before its...	16.9	Hudson Street (Route 85 Connector)	Super-2 connector to 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... /I-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 ... .
		18.1	Route 62	Rotary; brief, 130 yards (118.9 m) concurrency between Routes 62/85.
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...	Bolton Bolton, Massachusetts As of the census of 2000, there were 4,148 people, 1,424 households, and 1,201 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 1,476 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 97.76% White, 0.19% African American, 0.05% Native American, 1.30%...	21.01	Route 117	Northern terminus of Route 85. To I-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 ... , via Route 117 West.