It would then continue north through a portion of the Lowell-Dracut State Forest before turning east, crossing I-93 in Methuen and ending at I-495.

However, environmental regulations, a growing opposition in both Lowell and Dracut, and a projected insufficient demand for the road caused the state to permanently kill the portion of the highway between US-3 and I-93.

The expressway (which at this time was known as "Relocated Route 113") between I-93 and the current Exit 3 interchange was completed on September 11, 1962, when it was ceremonially named the Albert Slack Memorial Highway.

The eastward extension to I-495 was completed in 1964, and Massachusetts Department of Public Works officially designated the road as Route 213.

State officials unsuccessfully submitted for inclusion of Route 213 in the Interstate Highway System in 1970, in an attempt to gain federal funding for the project.