CONNECTING ROUTE 24 TO NEW BEDFORD: In 1947, the Massachusetts Department of Public Works (MassDPW) announced plans for a "Relocated Route 140" as part of its statewide expressway program. The New Bedford Expressway was to serve as a spur from the Fall River Expressway (MA 24), thereby connecting to points in the Boston metropolitan area. It was also considered a key component of revitalizing the old port city of New Bedford.
ROADWAY LAYOUTS AND TRAFFIC COUNTS: The different sections of MA 140 are described as follows:
EXIT 1 (US 6) in New Bedford to EXIT 3 (Rockdale Avenue) in New Bedford: This four-lane section was constructed in its original dual-carriageway configuration between 1960 and 1963. The southern terminus at EXIT 1 (US 6) is marked by a signaled intersection; Brownell Avenue continues south of this point. The speed limit along this section is 55 MPH.
EXIT 3 (Rockdale Avenue) in New Bedford to EXIT 6 (MA 18 / Ashley Boulevard / Acushnet Avenue) in New Bedford: This four-lane section was completed in its original dual-carriageway configuration between 1964 and 1970. The speed limit along this section is 55 MPH.
EXIT 6 (MA 18 / Ashley Boulevard / Acushnet Avenue) in New Bedford to EXIT 12 (MA 24 / Fall River Expressway) in Taunton: This section was originally constructed as a "super-2" between 1955 and 1959, but the MassDPW acquired right-of-way along the route to eventually construct a second carriageway. Between 1964 and 1970, the MassDPW converted this section into a four-lane, dual-carriageway route. At EXIT 12 (MA 24), a partial cloverleaf marks the northern terminus of the expressway, but there are at-grade signaled intersections with the ramps. (However, the traffic lights are located such that they do not affect the important movements from southbound MA 24 to southbound MA 140, and from northbound MA 140 to northbound MA 24.) The speed limit along this section is 65 MPH.
According to the Massachusetts Highway Department, the New Bedford Expressway carries approximately 40,000 vehicles per day (AADT).
This 2000 photo shows the southbound New Bedford Expressway (MA 140) at EXIT 2 (I-195) in New Bedford. (Photo by Steve Anderson.)
CURRENT AND FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS: The MHD and other agencies have announced the following improvements for the New Bedford Expressway:
In September 2002, the MHD rebuilt the bridge carrying MA 140 over EXIT 3 (Hathaway Road) in New Bedford. The $1.6 million project consisted of replacing the existing bridge deck and repairing the bridge structure.
Upon the recommendation of the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD), the MHD plans to rebuild EXIT 12 (MA 24 / Fall River Expressway) in Taunton. The $18 million project, which is scheduled to begin in 2009, would add an exclusive movement from southbound MA 24 to northbound MA 140, rebuild existing ramps, length acceleration-deceleration lanes, and build a wider bridge over MA 140. However, the plan does not provide for the elimination of the signaled at-grade intersections.
This map shows the existing interchange at EXIT 12 between the New Bedford Expressway (MA 140) and the Fall River Expressway (MA 24) in Taunton. Various improvements, including a new exclusive ramp from southbound MA 24 to northbound MA 140, are planned for this location. At the present time, traffic lights are located such that they do not affect the important traffic movements between MA 24 and MA 140. (Map by Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District.)
EXTENDING NORTH TO US 44 AND BEYOND: Long-range plans developed by the MassDPW in 1969 showed the proposed MA 140 Expressway extending northwest of MA 24 toward downtown Taunton, where there was to be an interchange with the (unbuilt) US 44 Expressway. An alternative plan showed the proposed MA 140 Expressway veering west toward the I-295 / I-895 beltway in Attleboro.
The existing EXIT 12 (MA 24 / Fall River Expressway) in Taunton should be reconstructed as a modified-cloverleaf interchange, eliminating the existing at-grade signaled intersections. Instead of a full cloverleaf, there should be a flyover ramp from southbound MA 24 to southbound MA 140.
SOURCES: "Southeastern Massachusetts Comprehensive Transportation Plan," Massachusetts Department of Public Works (1969); "The Massachusetts Highway Story (1949-1969)," Massachusetts Department of Public Works (1969); Massachusetts Highway Department; Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District; Dan Moraseski; Paul Schlichtman; Alexander Svirsky.
MA 140 shield by Barry L. Camp. Lightpost by Millerbernd Manufacturing Company.
