Massachusetts Route 16
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| Route 16 |
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| Length: | 59.86[1] mi (96.34 km) | ||||||||
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| West end: |   Route 12/193 in Webster |
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| Major junctions: |
 I-395 in Webster Route 146 in Uxbridge  I-95/Route 128 in Newton I-90 in Newton I-93 in Medford US 1 in Chelsea |
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| East end: |   Route 1A/Route 60 in Revere |
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Route 16 is an East-West state highway in Massachusetts. Much of Route 16 is a multi-lane parkway, although it is not limited access for any significant length of road. Segments of Route 16 are also known as the Mystic Valley Parkway, the Alewife Brook Parkway, and the Revere Beach Parkway, among other names.
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[edit] From the shore to the Pike
Route 16 runs north and west of the City of Boston, beginning at the Atlantic Ocean at Revere Beach, where it intersects with Route 1A and 60 at Timothy J. Mahoney Circle in Revere; this is practically adjacent to the Wonderland Greyhound Park and T stop and close to Logan Airport and Suffolk Downs.
The route proceeds west by a winding path through several mixed-used industrial, commercial, and residential areas in the cities of Everett and Malden until it intersects Interstate 93 in Medford. It then veers north along the Mystic River going through Medford Square, the downtown area of that city, before turning almost due south and passing along the edge of Tufts University. Route 16 continues on a generally southerly course through North Cambridge and past Fresh Pond. This section of Route 16 is also both U.S. Highway 3 and Route 2, and this stretch of road is a much more archetypal parkway with heavy tree cover and much greenery. From there, Route 16 passes the large parking garage at the MBTA Alewife Station, leaves Route 2 and U.S. 3 and joins up with U.S. Highway 20 as it enters Watertown. Shortly after leaving Watertown Square, it enters Newton and crosses I-90, the Massachusetts Turnpike; Pike Exit 16 here provides access to and from the east only. Still in Newton, Route 16 then crosses Route 30 and Route 128 (Interstate 95).
[edit] From Newton to I-495
This area west of Boston, also called MetroWest, that Route 16 now travels across is considered by many to contain several quintessential New England towns. The route now goes by restored antique, colonial homes and stentorian town buildings.[1]
From the Pike, Route 16 goes southwesterly past Lasell College in Newton, and through Wellesley, where Wellesley College and Babson College are located. The road then passes the Elm Bank Reservation in Sherborn, through Holliston, by Weston Pond, and shortly thereafter hits I-495.
[edit] From the Outer Loop to Lake Chaubunagungamaug
After passing I-495, the route continues to the southwest, going through Milford, Hopedale, Mendon, Uxbridge, and Douglas with a trip through the Douglas State Forest in the last town.
Route 16 continues to its intersection with I-395 in Webster, along the shore of Lake Chaubunagungamaug,[2] and not far from the Connecticut border. It ends at Route 12 just to the west.
[edit] History
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This section is a stub. You can help by expanding it. |
Parts of Route 16 were historically maintained by the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC), and while the MDC no longer exists, the parkway portions of the route are still patrolled by the Massachusetts State Police as a remnant of the former MDC jurisdiction.
