Roads and Highways of the Pioneer Valley

US 7

US 7 Information: Southern terminus is in Sheffield, MA at the CT border. The northern terminus is in Williamstown at the Vermont border. 54 of US 7's 309 miles are in Massachusetts.

History/Facts: US 7 serves the Western CT/MA/VT corridors. There's a surprising amount of traffic in what most people consider a not so densely populated area. The route has basically went through the same roads throughout its existence, except in Lenox and Ashley Falls, where old Route 7 has been redesignated MA 7A. The bypass of Lenox was built in 1953 and signed as a bypass of Route 20. The southern half was completed in the early sixties, and Route 7 joined Route 20 in the signage of the bypass. US 7 in Pittsfield used to run on North Street the entire time, but at some point it was rerouted from North Street to First Street after Park Square until Berkshire Medical Center. There's always been talk of a "Super 7" expressway from the Pike to Pittsfield, but it'll never happen.

This Super 7 expressway would have cut through West Pittsfield, in the general area near where I used to live (but slightly to the east), and coming around to meet the existing US 7 at the end of Lanesboro. A "Super 7" expressway would have been a major plus for north/south county movers, as they wouldn't be stuck going through the center of Pittsfield and can avoid the Park Square rotary.

For more information on the unbuilt US 7 expressway in Massachusetts, check out Steve Anderson's BostonRoads.com. Also check out the map of the proposed bypass here.

Photos: Northbound / Southbound

Northbound: The Berkshires

US 7 north joining up with MA 23 and 41.

Various green signs. Does it look to you that hte US 7 shield is patched over something?

Where 23 East and 183 South leave US 7 north. Butternut is a great place to ski if you're ever up in this general area. Lots of ski areas dot US 7 in its length up MA and VT.

During this picture run, it started to pour pretty badly. I unfortunately couldn't get any more photos this time. Don't worry, the gaps will be filled in eventually, as US 7 is basically my "home highway."

For pictures of the cosigning of 7 and 20 northbound, check out the US 20 page.

The Pontoosuc lake highway. When this road was rebuilt in the early 90s, a large ugly concrete wall blocked off the view of the lake from the road. They tore the wall down and replaced it with the bridge guiderail.

With an ough. Sometimes people use o instead of ough. This is near the mall road, where the "newest" Mass DPW signs I know of remain.

Old US 7 alignment past the mini golf course and the mall road. There's several old US 7 alignments around here; the state turned them over to the town as people lived on these alignments; they're signed as Old Williamstown Road and Old Rt 7 in places.

A general road shot in Lanesborough.

Further north in Lanesborough. Many bridges on this stretch of road date from the late 20s to early 30s. The pavement is also different from regular black pavement; it might be a kind of concrete and not apshalt.

Another road shot.

A road shot in the farms of New Ashford, MA.

A fairly straight stretch of road in New Ashford near Waubeeka golf links.

Yeah, that's where US 7 goes.

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Short four lane section in Williamstown near Mt. Greylock regional high school.

Intersection with MA 2 as it enters from the west.

Guidesigns.

The turnoff. Note the use of Series E font on the signs.

Yep, one lane bridge ahead, that particular bridge dating from 1924. There are two bridge deck replacement projects going on in Williamstown on US 7, one south and one north of downtown.

The actual bridge work.

A temporary sign, but a noteworthy one.

Why not use an actual speed sign?

Entering the Williamstown rotary.

Done? Head Southbound or Return home.