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Route 169 (Connecticut)
Encyclopedia
Route 169 is a state highway in the U.S. states of Connecticut
and Massachusetts
. It begins in the city of Norwich
and runs 38 miles (61.2 km) through Northeastern Connecticut, continuing across the state line into Southbridge, Massachusetts
. The route ends in Charlton
after another nine miles (14 km). A portion of the route in the town center of Pomfret
is on the National Register of Historic Places
as Pomfret Street Historic District
.
and turns south before crossing the Shetucket River
into Lisbon
. In Lisbon, Route 169 continues generally northeast, intersecting I-395
before continuing into Canterbury
. In Canterbury, Route 169 continues north, generally parallel to the Quinebaug River
although not actually along it, before crossing into Brooklyn
. In Brooklyn, it continues north, bisecting the town, before crossing into Pomfret
. In Pomfret, it continues north, overlapping US 44
through the center of town, before continuing north into Woodstock
. In Woodstock, it continues north past the Woodstock Airport, briefly overlapping Route 171
, before heading generally northwest to the Massachusetts state line.
In Massachusetts, Route 169 is an undivided two-lane highway through the towns of Southbridge
and Charlton
. It begins as North Woodstock Road, briefly overlaps Route 131
as part of East Main Street, then splits north on Mechanic Street at the American Optical rotary, bypassing Southbridge center. At the north end of Mechanic Street, the highway follows Worcester Street north to the Charlton town line, where it changes its name to Southbridge Road. It ends at U.S. Route 20 in Charlton City, a village in Charlton.
and state scenic road known for its vibrant autumn foliage and historic communities. The entire route within Connecticut is also designated the General Israel Putnam Highway. The portion of Route 169 in Pomfret Center between Bradley Road and Woodstock Road is a historic district
known as the Pomfret Street Historic District
.
The Norwich and Woodstock Turnpike was a private toll road incorporated in 1801 connecting the city of Norwich to the town center of Woodstock. The corporation was dissolved in 1846. The turnpike left Norwich using Canterbury Turnpike, crossing the Shetucket River at Occum and continuing northeast on Kinsman Hill Road to Route 169. The turnpike then followed Route 169 all the way to Woodstock and the Massachusetts state line. In 1923, state routes were first designated in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The route from downtown Norwich to Taftville and Baltic along Harland Road and modern Route 97 was designated as State Highway 187. A loop route of New England Route 12 between Taftville and Jewett City via the village of Newent (partly along modern Route 138) was designated as State Highway 356. In northeastern Connecticut, the route from Putnam to Woodstock and beyond to the Massachusetts state line (partly along modern Route 171) was assigned State Highway 142. In Massachusetts, the road from Southbridge center via Charlton along modern Route 169, then to West Auburn along modern US 20, was assigned as State Highway 124. By 1931, Highway 124 was relocated along roughly modern I-84 from the Connecticut state line in Holland via Sturbridge center to Charlton, then continuing along its original route to West Auburn. The former alignment of Highway 124 was redesignated as Highway 124A.
In 1932, most of the turnpike route was renumbered as Route 93 as part of a major state-wide renumbering of roads
. Portions of old Highways 187 (Norwich-Taftville) and 356 (Taftville-Newent) were utilized for the new Route 93. At the same time, Massachusetts renumbered Highway 124A as Route 93 to maintain number continuity across the state line. In 1959, Route 93 was renumbered to Route 169 in both Connecticut and Massachusetts because the route number was to be used for I-93. Most of the Connecticut portion of Route 169 was designated as a National Scenic Byway in 1992.
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...
and Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. It begins in the city of Norwich
Norwich, Connecticut
Regular steamship service between New York and Boston helped Norwich to prosper as a shipping center through the early part of the 20th century. During the Civil War, Norwich once again rallied and saw the growth of its textile, armaments, and specialty item manufacturing...
and runs 38 miles (61.2 km) through Northeastern Connecticut, continuing across the state line into Southbridge, Massachusetts
Southbridge, Massachusetts
The Town of Southbridge is a city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 16,719 at the 2010 census.-History:...
. The route ends in Charlton
Charlton, Massachusetts
Charlton is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 12,981 at the 2010 census.- History :Charlton was first settled in 1735. It was established as a District separated off from Oxford on January 10, 1755, and became a Town in 1775 by a law that made all...
after another nine miles (14 km). A portion of the route in the town center of Pomfret
Pomfret, Connecticut
Pomfret is a town in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 3,798 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water....
is on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
as Pomfret Street Historic District
Pomfret Street Historic District
Pomfret Street Historic District is a historic district roughly along Pomfret Street , from Bradley Road to Woodstock Road in Pomfret, Connecticut, United States....
.
Route description
Route 169 begins at an intersection with Route 2 and Route 32 in Norwich and heads northeast to the Taftville section of Norwich, where it briefly overlaps Route 97Connecticut Route 97
Route 97 is a north–south state highway in eastern Connecticut running for from Route 12 in Norwich to US 44 in Pomfret.- Route description:...
and turns south before crossing the Shetucket River
Shetucket River
The Shetucket River is a tributary of the Thames River, long, in eastern Connecticut in the United States.It is formed at Willimantic by the junction of the Willimantic and Natchaug rivers. It flows southeast and south...
into Lisbon
Lisbon, Connecticut
Lisbon is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 4,069 at the 2000 census. The town center is also known as the village of Newent...
. In Lisbon, Route 169 continues generally northeast, intersecting I-395
Interstate 395 (Connecticut)
Interstate 395 is a 67-mile-long north–south Interstate Highway that begins at Interstate 95 in East Lyme, Connecticut and ends at Interstate 90 in Auburn, Massachusetts, where it becomes Interstate 290. The original designation for the freeway was Route 52...
before continuing into Canterbury
Canterbury, Connecticut
Canterbury is a town in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 4,692 at the 2000 census.-History:The area was first settled in the 1680s as Peagscomsuck, consisting mainly of land north of Norwich, south of New Roxbury, Massachusetts and west of the Quinebaug River and the...
. In Canterbury, Route 169 continues north, generally parallel to the Quinebaug River
Quinebaug River
The Quinebaug River is a river in south-central Massachusetts and eastern Connecticut, with watershed extending into western Rhode Island. The name "Quinebaug" comes from the southern New England Native American term, spelled variously Qunnubbâgge, Quinibauge, etc., meaning "long pond", from...
although not actually along it, before crossing into Brooklyn
Brooklyn, Connecticut
Brooklyn is a town in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 7,173 at the 2000 census. The town center village is listed by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place...
. In Brooklyn, it continues north, bisecting the town, before crossing into Pomfret
Pomfret, Connecticut
Pomfret is a town in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 3,798 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water....
. In Pomfret, it continues north, overlapping US 44
U.S. Route 44
U.S. Route 44 is an east–west United States highway that runs for 237 miles through four states in the Northeastern region of the United States. The western terminus is at U.S. Route 209 and New York State Route 55 in Kerhonkson, a hamlet in the Hudson Valley region of New York...
through the center of town, before continuing north into Woodstock
Woodstock, Connecticut
Woodstock is a town in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 7,221 at the 2000 census.-Annual events:*The Woodstock Fair, run by the Woodstock Agricultural Society has been held since 1860. The current President of the Woodstock Fair is Susan Z. Hibbard...
. In Woodstock, it continues north past the Woodstock Airport, briefly overlapping Route 171
Connecticut Route 171
Route 171 is a state highway in northeastern Connecticut, running from Union to Putnam.-Route description:Route 171 begins at an interchange from I-84 in northern Union and heads south to the town center, then east, south, and southeast into Eastford. It cuts across the northeast corner of...
, before heading generally northwest to the Massachusetts state line.
In Massachusetts, Route 169 is an undivided two-lane highway through the towns of Southbridge
Southbridge, Massachusetts
The Town of Southbridge is a city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 16,719 at the 2010 census.-History:...
and Charlton
Charlton, Massachusetts
Charlton is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 12,981 at the 2010 census.- History :Charlton was first settled in 1735. It was established as a District separated off from Oxford on January 10, 1755, and became a Town in 1775 by a law that made all...
. It begins as North Woodstock Road, briefly overlaps Route 131
Massachusetts Route 131
Route 131 is a state highway in the U.S. states of Massachusetts and Connecticut. It serves the southwestern portion of the Worcester metropolitan area. It begins at Route 12 in the North Grosvenor Dale section of the town of Thompson in Connecticut and ends at U.S. Route 20 in the center of...
as part of East Main Street, then splits north on Mechanic Street at the American Optical rotary, bypassing Southbridge center. At the north end of Mechanic Street, the highway follows Worcester Street north to the Charlton town line, where it changes its name to Southbridge Road. It ends at U.S. Route 20 in Charlton City, a village in Charlton.
Special designations
A 32.1 miles (51.7 km) stretch of Route 169, running from Rocky Hollow Road in Lisbon to the Massachusetts state line, is a designated National Scenic BywayNational Scenic Byway
A National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for its archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and/or scenic qualities. The program was established by Congress in 1991 to preserve and protect the nation's scenic but often...
and state scenic road known for its vibrant autumn foliage and historic communities. The entire route within Connecticut is also designated the General Israel Putnam Highway. The portion of Route 169 in Pomfret Center between Bradley Road and Woodstock Road is a historic district
Historic district (United States)
In the United States, a historic district is a group of buildings, properties, or sites that have been designated by one of several entities on different levels as historically or architecturally significant. Buildings, structures, objects and sites within a historic district are normally divided...
known as the Pomfret Street Historic District
Pomfret Street Historic District
Pomfret Street Historic District is a historic district roughly along Pomfret Street , from Bradley Road to Woodstock Road in Pomfret, Connecticut, United States....
.
History
1932 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...
. Portions of old Highways 187 (Norwich-Taftville) and 356 (Taftville-Newent) were utilized for the new Route 93. At the same time, Massachusetts renumbered Highway 124A as Route 93 to maintain number continuity across the state line. In 1959, Route 93 was renumbered to Route 169 in both Connecticut and Massachusetts because the route number was to be used for I-93. Most of the Connecticut portion of Route 169 was designated as a National Scenic Byway in 1992.
Junction list
| Town | Road names | Major junctions | Milepost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norwich Norwich, Connecticut Regular steamship service between New York and Boston helped Norwich to prosper as a shipping center through the early part of the 20th century. During the Civil War, Norwich once again rallied and saw the growth of its textile, armaments, and specialty item manufacturing... (3.24 miles) |
Harland Road, Merchants Avenue, Providence Street, Newent Road | 0.00 | |
| (Concurrency) | 2.88-3.19 | ||
| Lisbon Lisbon, Connecticut Lisbon is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 4,069 at the 2000 census. The town center is also known as the village of Newent... (6.30 miles) |
South Burnham Highway, North Burnham Highway | 5.27-5.42 | |
| 6.45 | |||
| Canterbury Canterbury, Connecticut Canterbury is a town in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 4,692 at the 2000 census.-History:The area was first settled in the 1680s as Peagscomsuck, consisting mainly of land north of Norwich, south of New Roxbury, Massachusetts and west of the Quinebaug River and the... (8.29 miles) |
South Canterbury Road, North Canterbury Road | 14.07 | |
| Brooklyn Brooklyn, Connecticut Brooklyn is a town in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 7,173 at the 2000 census. The town center village is listed by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place... (5.52 miles) |
Canterbury Road, Pomfret Road | 20.31 | |
| 20.58 | |||
| Pomfret Pomfret, Connecticut Pomfret is a town in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 3,798 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.... (6.34 miles) |
Pomfret Street | 25.50 | |
| (Concurrency) | 26.18-28.33 | ||
| 28.33 | |||
| Woodstock Woodstock, Connecticut Woodstock is a town in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 7,221 at the 2000 census.-Annual events:*The Woodstock Fair, run by the Woodstock Agricultural Society has been held since 1860. The current President of the Woodstock Fair is Susan Z. Hibbard... (8.56 miles) |
Norwich-Worcester Turnpike | (Concurrency) | 30.96-31.32 |
| 35.71 | |||
| Southbridge, MA Southbridge, Massachusetts The Town of Southbridge is a city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 16,719 at the 2010 census.-History:... |
North Woodstock Road, East Main Street, Mechanic Street, Worcester Street | 41.43-42.06 | |
| Charlton, MA Charlton, Massachusetts Charlton is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 12,981 at the 2010 census.- History :Charlton was first settled in 1735. It was established as a District separated off from Oxford on January 10, 1755, and became a Town in 1775 by a law that made all... |
Southbridge Road | 47.36 |