Connecticut Route 217

	3.84 miles; from Route 66 in Middlefield to Route 372 in Cromwell. It's notable for serving the exact geographic center of the state: 41° 35" 7' north, 72° 42" 4' west, a point north of Glenwood in (appropriately named) Middletown. This was announced in 2004 by Professor John Harmon of Central (!) Connecticut State University, which is several miles off-center, in New Britain.
	Two instances of Route 217 have existed, quite close to each other. First: Jackson Hill Road, Middlefield Commissioned in 1935, the original Route 217 extended along 2.28 miles of Jackson Hill Road in Middlefield, from Route 157 to the Middletown town line just north of today's Route 66. In 1963, this route was turned over to local maintenance. Second: Ballfall Road and East Street, Middletown Today's Route 217, following Ballfall Road and East Street, was a town road until the 1950s. In May 1959, Cromwell officials said they were arranging with the state to take over maintenance of East Street. On Dec. 16, 1959, 3.68 miles of East Street and Ballfall Road were accepted into the state highway system as part of a multi-route deal including new and old sections of Route 9 southeast of downtown Middletown. (The small part of Ballfall Road in Middlefield was not included.) Actual transfer of maintenance, including plowing snow, took place the following spring. I don't know what the "secret route number" was for future Route 217, which is a little annoying. In 1963, it became Route 217. Four-laning proposal apparently a mistake In March 1973, residents protested a proposed transportation bill that included widening Route 217 to four lanes. Transportation committee members told the mayor and residents that the bill would be corrected to leave the road at two lanes. In November 1966, however, the state met with the mayor of Middletown to discuss turning Route 217 back over to the town. The mayor said "No dice", and Route 217 has remained in the state highway system. In 1995, an assembly act called for adding Jackson Hill Road back to the state highway system. It didn't succeed.
	"East Street To Become State Road." Hartford Courant, May 21, 1959. "Route 9 Extension Open To Full Traffic Today." Hartford Courant, Dec. 16, 1959. "Dooley Says 'No Dice' To State's Road Return." Hartford Courant, Nov. 11, 1966. "Agencies Agree on Improvements." Hartford Courant, Mar. 7, 1973. "Center of Connecticut" segment, WTNH-TV (New Haven, Conn), Aug. 12, 2004.
	Route 217 Ends (Photos; Doug Kerr at state-ends.com) Route 217 - Google Maps

First: Jackson Hill Road, Middlefield

Second: Ballfall Road and East Street, Middletown

Four-laning proposal apparently a mistake