Melnea Cass Boulevard

Melnea Cass Boulevard

Melnea Cass Boulevard at Washington Street
Location	Boston
West end	Route 28
East end	Massachusetts Avenue

Melnea Cass Boulevard is a major street in Boston, Massachusetts,connecting Dudley Square in Roxbury to the South End South End. Named after prominent community and civil rights activist Melnea Cass, the boulevard has historical roots as part of the proposed—but ultimately canceled—Interstate 695 (the Inner Belt).^[1] There is also an MBTA Silver Line station named Melnea Cass Boulevard on this street.

The boulevard begins at its eastern terminus at the Mass Ave Connector and continues westward, intersecting several major thoroughfares in Roxbury, as well as a few smaller streets. It concludes at its western terminus near Columbus Avenue, behind Ruggles station and Northeastern University.

Melnea Cass Boulevard is primarily a four-lane road, with additional turning lanes at key intersections. Its history as a planned right-of-way for the Inner Belt^[1] contributes to its unique character: it is largely devoid of buildings, except for a few city-owned properties built on previously vacant lots. Most structures along the route are concentrated at the intersections with major cross streets.