Mass Route 2

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MA 2
General Routing	NY border in Williamstown to Boston via N. Adams, Greenfield, Gardner, Fitchburg, Littleton, Concord, Arlington and Cambridge.
Upgrades and Multiplexes	Cosigned with I-91 near Greenfield. Sections of Super-2 through Erving. Limited access highway from Erving to Acton. Divided highway from I-95 to US 3.
History	Originally NE-7. When the New England routes were replaced by US routes, NE -7 became MA 2. The routing west of Greenfield remains largely unchanged. In 1930, 2 headed south of Williamstown with US 7 and then extended to NY on current MA 43. In 1933, Rt 2 left Greenfield on modern 2A to Turner's Falls. It stayed with what is now 2A whenever possible, all the way into Arlington where it ended. By 1936, 2A had been assigned to the section from Lexington to Concord, and 2 was moved slightly to the south. It followed the Alewife Brook & Fresh Pond Parkways to Mt. Auburn St to Memorial Drive. It met 2A at the Harvard Bridge and crossed it. By 1942, Rt 2 was a highway from Concord east into Cambridge. By 1953, the highway reach Westminster. 2A took over the former sections of 2. In 1957, a section of highway was built to bypass Athol and Orange to the south. East of US 202, it was called Bypass 202; west it was Bypass 2. By 1961, the bypass was numbered as part of 2. Once again, 2A picked up the older routing. By 1966, I-91 was built from Greenfield north to the VT line. The brief stub of highway east to Turner's Falls was also built by then; Route 2 was added to both as it is now. By 1971, the Gardner and Athol/Orange bypasses were connected. As usual, 2A picked up the old routing.

MA 2

General Routing

NY border in Williamstown to Boston via N. Adams, Greenfield, Gardner, Fitchburg, Littleton, Concord, Arlington and Cambridge.

Upgrades and Multiplexes

Cosigned with I-91 near Greenfield. Sections of Super-2 through Erving. Limited access highway from Erving to Acton. Divided highway from I-95 to US 3.

History

Originally NE-7. When the New England routes were replaced by US routes, NE -7 became MA 2. The routing west of Greenfield remains largely unchanged. In 1930, 2 headed south of Williamstown with US 7 and then extended to NY on current MA 43. In 1933, Rt 2 left Greenfield on modern 2A to Turner's Falls. It stayed with what is now 2A whenever possible, all the way into Arlington where it ended.

By 1936, 2A had been assigned to the section from Lexington to Concord, and 2 was moved slightly to the south. It followed the Alewife Brook & Fresh Pond Parkways to Mt. Auburn St to Memorial Drive. It met 2A at the Harvard Bridge and crossed it.

By 1942, Rt 2 was a highway from Concord east into Cambridge. By 1953, the highway reach Westminster. 2A took over the former sections of 2. In 1957, a section of highway was built to bypass Athol and Orange to the south. East of US 202, it was called Bypass 202; west it was Bypass 2. By 1961, the bypass was numbered as part of 2. Once again, 2A picked up the older routing.

By 1966, I-91 was built from Greenfield north to the VT line. The brief stub of highway east to Turner's Falls was also built by then; Route 2 was added to both as it is now. By 1971, the Gardner and Athol/Orange bypasses were connected. As usual, 2A picked up the old routing.

MA 2A split route
General Routing	Greenfield to Montague City Erving to Cambridge via Athol, Fitchburg, Lunenburg, Ayer, Littleton, North Acton., Arlington and Cambridge.
Upgrades and Multiplexes	Multiplexes with MA 2 in several locations. Multiplex with 110 near Littleton. Multiplex with 119 south of Littleton Common.
History	2A existed as early as 1933. The section between Turner's Falls and Miller's Falls existed as 2A. Also bearing the 2A designation was modern 225 from it's end east of Lunenburg into Lexington. By 1936, the eastern 2A had been renumebred to 25. 2A was reassigned to the road from Concord to Lexington. 2A then followed US 3 to Harvard University, then followed Mass Ave back to MA 2 at the Harvard Bridge. By 1953, Rt 2 was a highway east of Westminster. 2A picked up the road formerly used by 2. A bypass was built south of Athol and Orange; by 1961 2A had picked up the former Rt 2 through these towns.

MA 2A split route

General Routing

Greenfield to Montague City
Erving to Cambridge via Athol, Fitchburg, Lunenburg, Ayer, Littleton, North Acton., Arlington and Cambridge.

Upgrades and Multiplexes

Multiplexes with MA 2 in several locations. Multiplex with 110 near Littleton. Multiplex with 119 south of Littleton Common.

History

2A existed as early as 1933. The section between Turner's Falls and Miller's Falls existed as 2A. Also bearing the 2A designation was modern 225 from it's end east of Lunenburg into Lexington.

By 1936, the eastern 2A had been renumebred to 25. 2A was reassigned to the road from Concord to Lexington. 2A then followed US 3 to Harvard University, then followed Mass Ave back to MA 2 at the Harvard Bridge.

By 1953, Rt 2 was a highway east of Westminster. 2A picked up the road formerly used by 2. A bypass was built south of Athol and Orange; by 1961 2A had picked up the former Rt 2 through these towns.