Interstate 91

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54.99 miles long in Massachusetts, Interstate 91 joins the capital cities of Hartford, Connecticut and Springfield while providing a route north to Quebec, Canada through Vermont. Traffic counts range from around 110,000 vehicles per day (vpd) through Springfield to 15,000 vpd south of the Vermont state line.

Interstate 91 Massachusetts Guides

The initial stretches of Interstate 91 built included the 4.1 mile long portion between the Connecticut state line and the South End Bridge (U.S. 5) in Springfield and the 6.8 mile stretch from U.S. 5/Massachusetts Route 10 near the Bernardstown line to Vermont. Both were completed in 1960.1

I-91 - Greenfield, MA - 1961 Map
The completed northernmost stretch of Interstate 91 in Massachusetts in 1961.

Work followed north from the South End Bridge into Springfield, and between Northampton and Whatley through 1964. Another 8.5 miles opened in 1965 linking the completed portions at Whatley and Greenfield and by 1966, I-91 was finished southward from Vermont to the Massachusetts Turnpike (Exit 14).1

I-91 Whately, Massachusetts - 1961 Map
Work was underway along an 7.8 mile segment1 of I-91 between Exits 21 and 24 in 1961.

The final portion of Interstate 91 constructed was the 6.3 mile stretch through Springfield, Chicopee and West Springfield. Design work began in 1962 with ground broken in 1966. Completed in 1970, the freeway winds northward from Downtown Springfield across the Connecticut River to an interchange with the Mass Pike.1

Springfield, Massachusetts - 1969
Construction was simultaneous on the last portion of I-91 in Massachusetts with I-291 leading east to U.S. 20 at Exit 5.
Interstate 91 scenes
Union Street east at Columbus Avenue and the northbound entrance ramp for Interstate 91 at Exit 5. 05/31/22
State Street connects with Interstate 91 at Columbus Avenue and Hall of Fame Avenue just southwest of the Roderick L. Ireland Courthouse in Downtown Springfield. 05/31/22
The entrance ramp from Columbus Avenue north of State Street joins I-91 ahead of the exchange with I-291/U.S. 20 east. 05/31/22



Photo Credits:

05/31/22 by AARoads

Connect with:
Interstate 90 - Massachusetts Turnpike
Interstate 291
Interstate 391

Page Updated 03-10-2023.

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