Pretty far south, Mass. Ave. continues straight ahead southward and Southampton Ave. branches to the southeast from this one-way square that is the only break in Mass. Ave. for NB traffic (SB just goes straight on through). If you're going south on I-93/MA 3(/US 1 since 1990, and this sign may or may not predate that), you're actually better off going straight, as you'll end up right near Exit 15. SB traffic already crossed Albany St. and has to come all this way to turn around for a left turn.


Look at the first photo, just above the tan NB car, and you'll see something sticking out of the signal pole. Turns out it's not part of the pole, but a sign assembly, and it looks like this. No telling how old this black button copy is, but it's old enough that the white sign background has also faded to black. The sign's so faded, that the replacement R's (black button copy is very uncommon, so they're white for ease of procurement) stand out well against the background, while the black blends right into what it once contrasted with. Click for a closeup.


This is SB at Melnea Cass Boulevard, the remnant of the aborted Inner Loop (I-695 and a bit of I-95) - but now the interchange with I-93 has been turned into one with frontage roads and traffic lights, instead of a free-flowing Y. With the Big Dig's new I-93 NB, there's now a separate NB frontage road ramp to I-90, as opposed to merging with the mainline, since the I-90 ramp leaves before the merge from Cass.


WB on Melnea Cass between I-93 and Mass. Ave.


A view of the bus shelter that sits on top of the I-90 overpass on Mass. Ave. SB. It's a favorite haunt for vagrants, not to mention the only bus shelter of its kind I've seen in Boston, and the only one I've ever seen on an overpass.


Looking west on I-90 from Mass. Ave.


NB at Newbury Street (just across I-90). A good view of Mass. Ave., not to mention a look at a non-standard arrow on the overhead traffic signal (the arrowhead should be two lines like on the right-mounted one, not a triangle).


MA 2A begins at the Mass. Ave. overpass of MA 2. The first photo is the northbound LGS, and the second photo is a closeup of the southbound LGS (really just the other side of this sign). "MASS HWY" is proof that these signs aren't that old, but the sturdy post is much older, since it is emblazoned with MASS. DEPT. OF PUBLIC WORKS.


A detail of the state seal in the side of that concrete sign support post, which most likely dates to the grade separation of Massachusetts and Commonwealth Avenues. See I-495 for a post of similar age - and the original sign atop that one.

Mass. Ave. becomes MA 2A
Follow MA 2
Follow I-90 or I-93
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