In the 1920s, State Highway 135 followed today's Route 80 between New Haven and North Branford.

In 1932, the old Route 135 was created as a 9.07-mile route from Southbury into Middlebury. Its location, from west to east:

• Old Waterbury Road, from US 6 to Route 188
• Today's Route 188 from Old Waterbury Road to Route 63.

Route 188 existed at the time, but its northern terminus was Route 135.

In 1943, Route 135 was deleted. Route 188 incorporated the eastern portion, and the Waterbury Road portion was no longer signed.

By 1953, the modern Route 135 was commissioned in Fairfield.

Widening averted in 2002

The New Haven Line/Metro North Railroad bridge overpasses Route 135 near US 1. In 2001, the state announced a plan to replace the bridge, lower Route 135, and widen it to four lanes between US 1 and I-95. The $11.7 million project was to start in late 2004.

Instead, area representatives, concerned about increased traffic the road could attract, convinced the state to rehabilitate the bridge and not widen Route 135.

• Connecticut State Highway Department. Routes and Road Numbers on the State Highway System, Showing Control Numbers and Sections. Dated Jan. 1, 1942.
• ConnDOT press release, late 2001
• "Major North Benson Road Project Cancelled." Press release, state rep. Carl Dickman, April 18, 2002.

Route 135 Ends (Photos; Doug Kerr at state-ends.com)