I-95 / Route 128

[Bob DeMattia]

The cancellation was part of a larger cancellation of the entire I-695 beltway.
The north end of I-695 would have connected onto I-93 (remember those
ramp "stubs" on the overpass ?).  The south end of I-695 would connect
into the unusually large (at the time) intersection of Mass Ave/I-93 by the
old steam plant.

Before it was cancelled, some homes were torn down.  Melnea Cass boulevard
is built where part of I-695 was to be built.

As for I-95, I've found some maps that show it joining I-695 and looping around
counterclockwise to continue up the north shore.   I-95 would then continue 
northeast through the Saugus salt marsh, past Lynn and Salem, and eventually 
join up with the part that was built north of 128.

Not too long ago, you could see where they graded the land.  It ran parallel and 
Northwest of route 107.   Sometime in the last ten years, they  finally removed 
the grading.

Here's a map from 1965:
http://www.brorson.com/maps/BostonHighwayPlan_1965/BostonHighwayPlan_1965.jpg

We had our wedding reception about the same time they started removing most of the
128 signage  (1992).  I remember having to send out extra instructions to people from 
out of town because our original directions carelessly said "Rt. 128".

Had all this been built, traffic reporters would have had more roads to cover, but arguably
a little less congestion on I-93.  I knew I could get a radio angle in here somehow.


Bob