Route 121 (Connecticut)
Encyclopedia
Route 121 is a state highway in southern Connecticut
running from U.S. Route 1 in Milford
to Route 34
near the Orange
-Derby
line.
in Milford
and heads north, passing underneath I-95 without a junction 0.3 mile (0.482802 km) later, then enters the town of Orange
afteranother 1.5 miles (2.4 km). In Orange, Route 121 continues north, intersecting about half a mile later with Derby-Milford Road, a direct route into Derby, and the Wilbur Cross Parkway
(Route 15) at Exit 56 after another 1.6 miles (2.6 km). The road continues past the Wilbur Cross Parkway for another 1.6 miles (2.6 km) until the intersection with Route 34 (Derby Turnpike) in the northern edge of Orange, where Route 121 ends. In Milford, Route 121 is known as North Street, while in Orange, it is known as Grassy Hill Road.
, old Highway 195 became Route 121. In 1941, Route 121 was shortened when US 1 was relocated from Cherry Street to its current route at the Boston Post Road. North Street south of current Route 1 is still signed as the route for the Milford
train station.
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
running from U.S. Route 1 in Milford
Milford, Connecticut
Milford is a coastal city in southwestern New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, located between Bridgeport and New Haven. The population was 52,759 at the 2010 census...
to Route 34
Route 34 (Connecticut)
Route 34 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Route 34 is long, and extends from Washington Street near I-84/US 6 in Newtown to the junction of I-95 and I-91 in New Haven. The highways connects the New Haven and Danbury areas via the Lower Naugatuck River Valley...
near the Orange
Orange, Connecticut
Orange is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 13,233 at the 2000 census. A 2007 Census Bureau estimate puts the population at 13,813. The town is governed by a Board of Selectmen.-History:...
-Derby
Derby, Connecticut
Derby is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 12,391 at the 2000 census. With of land area, Derby is Connecticut's smallest municipality.The city has a Metro-North railroad station called Derby – Shelton.-History:...
line.
Route description
Route 121 begins at an intersection with US 1U.S. Route 1 in Connecticut
In the U.S. state of Connecticut, U.S. Route 1 is a major east–west state highway along Long Island Sound. It has been replaced by Interstate 95 as a through route, which it closely parallels, and now primarily serves as a local business route...
in Milford
Milford, Connecticut
Milford is a coastal city in southwestern New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, located between Bridgeport and New Haven. The population was 52,759 at the 2010 census...
and heads north, passing underneath I-95 without a junction 0.3 mile (0.482802 km) later, then enters the town of Orange
Orange, Connecticut
Orange is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 13,233 at the 2000 census. A 2007 Census Bureau estimate puts the population at 13,813. The town is governed by a Board of Selectmen.-History:...
afteranother 1.5 miles (2.4 km). In Orange, Route 121 continues north, intersecting about half a mile later with Derby-Milford Road, a direct route into Derby, and the Wilbur Cross Parkway
Wilbur Cross Parkway
The Wilbur Cross Parkway is a limited access road in Connecticut, comprising the portion of Route 15 between Milford and Meriden. It is named after Wilbur Lucius Cross, a former governor of the state...
(Route 15) at Exit 56 after another 1.6 miles (2.6 km). The road continues past the Wilbur Cross Parkway for another 1.6 miles (2.6 km) until the intersection with Route 34 (Derby Turnpike) in the northern edge of Orange, where Route 121 ends. In Milford, Route 121 is known as North Street, while in Orange, it is known as Grassy Hill Road.
History
In the 1920s, the current alignment of Route 121 was known as State Highway 195 and was one of the routes between Milford and Derby. In the 1932 state highway renumbering1932 state highway renumbering (Connecticut)
In 1932, the Highway Department of the U.S. state of Connecticut , decided to completely renumber all its state highways. The only exceptions were the U.S. Highways and some of the New England Interstate Routes. Between 1922 and 1932, Connecticut used a state highway numbering system shared with...
, old Highway 195 became Route 121. In 1941, Route 121 was shortened when US 1 was relocated from Cherry Street to its current route at the Boston Post Road. North Street south of current Route 1 is still signed as the route for the Milford
Milford (Metro-North station)
The Milford Metro-North Railroad station serves the residents of Milford, Connecticut via the New Haven Line. It is 63.2 miles from Grand Central Terminal and the average travel time from Grand Central is one hour, 32 minutes...
train station.