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

Southbound: The Berkshires

This has to be the most northerly MassPike trailblazer I've seen. Waconah street, Pittsfield. Good thing it has a "to" sign, as North Street isn't Route 7 (anymore). Well, it is, but North Street has a split a few hundred feet north of this intersection - North Street bears right, while First Street continues left. Route 7 used to go on North Street, but goes on First Street now, which runs parallel to North Street (generally by about 100-150 feet). When First Street ends at East Street, Route 7 south turns right on to East Street, which turns into Park Square, where Routes 7 and 9 meet at a traffic circle (Park Aquare). At the circle, Route 7 continues south on South street, where Route 20 joins it until Lenox.

This is North Street, Pittsfield. Ignore that it's not Route 7. North Street is a prime example of a New England downtown from the 50s that is reeling from little night time foot traffic. Not much nightlife businesses remain, and North Street has now transformed into a financial district.

Now, here's an interesting conundrum. This is neither routes 7 or 9 - and by the looks of that 9 sign, it's been around a long time. Route 7 and 9 haven't been on North Street for at least 20+ years, but before this intersection was rebuilt, westbound 9 and southbound 7 .were routed along North Street instead of First Street. When the intersection was rebuilt with a new rail bridge, Routes 7 and 9 were moved on to First Street entirely. Now with route 9's new routing, it doesn't even go on First street at all. US 7 still does, though.

A snap of First Street. Lots of oldish Mass D.P.W. signage around here.

Okay, seriously guys. Come on. This would be a bit more true if you placed it one building down by the entrance to Park Square. ;)

Entering Park Square from East Street. As you can see, traffic in the square has Right of Way, and East Street drivers must yield. This doesn't always happen even though there are many signs and street markings that say "YIELD AHEAD."

Yeah, truck route! You can see there's a shield missing there. A 9 shield, to be precise.

The Park Square monument.

This is right before US 20 joins US 7 on South street.

Hancock Shaker Village is not really in Hancock. It's in Pittsfield, but it's darn close to Hancock. It's right at the terminus of MA 41 (which is at US 20).

This is the strip in Lenox, a four lane road with a suicide lane.

US 7 and 20 rolling through the hills of Lenox before the bypass. The Arcadian Shop, the Lenox House Country Shops, and several hotels line this otherwise tree lined road. To see other pictures of the US 7/20 bypass of Lenox, check out the US 20 page.

The one of two business signed routes that I know of. I didn't get a picture yet, but slightly to the south MA 7A is marked as "BUSINESS 7A SOUTH." But not at the north. Hurr. Not quite sure of the logic of signing these as business routes - get trucks to go through them?

The end of the US 7/20 multiplex, but the bypass isn't over quite yet (7A returns about half a mile up the road). It continues on as a two lane road.

Turn here for the Lenox MA 7 north.

The Mass Turnpike, in Stockbridge. There's been talks of making an interchange here, but I don't think that will happen.

Getting near to downtown Stockbridge, where 102 and US 7 multiplex briefly.

Main Street in Stockbridge, arguably the most famous section of US 7 and subject of Norman Rockwell's famous "Main Street in Stockbridge" painting.

US 7 south in Stockbridge. More of the same 2-lane rural arterial.

Oh ho! New pavement! So fresh that they haven't taken down the road construction signs!

Yet another intersection with Route 183. Not signed as Business down here, though.

The Great Barrington strip, featuring another suicide lane.

A large and odd looking but otherwise standard shield.

Where Route 23 west joins US 7 and 183 south leaves to continue into Connecticut. And yeah, the AL and D letters in the Signal Ahead sign are out. Have been for years.

US 7 and MA 23 join up with MA 41 for a mile or so in downton Great Barrington. No real interesting signs here, but there is a rare side truss bridge, which you don't see very often in Massachusetts.

The GB bushes welcome you to Great Barrington. During the Red Sox's world series run in 2004, they had put up signs that made the GB read "Go Boston!"

A better shot of the GB.

All righ then. Didn't want to pony up for shields? At least get the sign right.

Downtown Great Barrington. Noted for the large mason churches and the castle (yes, castle).

A true gem: a vintage Do Not Enter sign before the MUTCD adopted the red circle. There's another one down the road in Sheffield on NB 7 too.

Oh ho! What's this?

Yep, a covered bridge. The road is closed to vehicular traffic (by a large sign that has "SHD" on it. Why Sheffield has a Highway Department, I don't know.

The start of the Ashley Falls bypass. There is a bridge out near the CT border and it is closed for through traffic there.

A parking area shaped like a stub road. It looked like there was supposed to be more here. The clearing goes on for a while. Right of way? A building? Who knows.

The bypass itself.

This isn't in Massachusetts, but it's just too cool to ignore. Just over the state border in Canaan, CT, there's a state police station that has this extremely old sign. I don't think it lights up anymore, as it appears the neon filaments look discombobulated. Plus, it looks like there's plexiglass covering each side of the sign. Plus, what's with the B in the badge?

Done? Head Northbound or Return home.