Connecticut Route 4

In the 1920s, "Route 4" was NE-4, a New England interstate route that became US 7. Both US 7 and NE-4 followed present-day Route 41 out of Massachusetts, through the northwest corner of Connecticut into New York. Today's Route 4 was commissioned in 1932.

West End

Route 4 originally started at the New York state line, as a continuation of NY 361. In 1967, Connecticut rolled back Route 4 to end at Route 41, numbering the remaining stretch Route 361 for compatibility with New York state route 361. New York has since dropped its NY 361 designation, but no hard feelings.

On a smaller scale, a section of Route 4 was realigned in the Ellsworth section of Sharon in 1933 or 1934. Dunbar Road and W. Woods Road are the old alignment.

East End

Route 4 originally ended in Farmington at Route 10; Farmington Avenue from there eastward into Hartford was part of US 6. In 1951, US 6 was rerouted southward and Route 4 followed Farmington Avenue all the way to Pulaski Circle. Now, however, Route 4 officially ends abruptly west of Mountain Road in West Hartford.

Torrington Area

This area has the most interesting changes to Route 4 (along with Routes 25, 72, and 202). I've provided some snapshot maps to help you along.

c. 1938

Route 4 originally took a more northerly route between Burlington and Torrington using present-day Route 179 and US 202. It did not actually contact US 44; a one-mile unnumbered road provided access between them. Sections of present-day Route 4 were numbered Route 116 and Route 117.

c. 1956

Still with us? In 1954, CT 117 became part of Route 72, which extended north into Massachusetts. Also, US 6 had shifted north in Bristol, south in Farmington and Route 4 extended all the way into Hartford.

c. 1965

In 1963, Route 4 between Torrington and Collinsville shifted south to its current route. Route 25 claimed the northern route; Route 72 was also cut short, the northwest segment becoming Route 272.

Today

In 1974, US 202 was rerouted away from Route 10 and US 6, taking the path of Route 25 from Torrington to New Milford. Also, Route 116 was renumbered Route 118.

Route 4 Relocation Plans, Farmington

In the 1960s, a few plans were floated for relocating Route 4, both to bypass downtown Farmington and to connect I-84 to a planned Route 10 freeway. Neither was done, though a freeway connector to Route 4 from I-84 Exit 39 was built in 1969.

In 1963, the state proposed a four-lane expressway treatment, extending from I-84 exit 39 to proposed Route 10, slated for 1972. This was later cancelled.

In 1968, the Route 10 freeway plan was still active, but a Routes 4 and 10 planning study had changed the proposed role of Route 4 to a two-lane controlled-access highway, bypassing Farmington Village to the south. Starting at the I-84 connector, the highway would connect with the Route 10 freeway and terminate at existing Route 4 (Collinsville Road) near Unionville. From east to west, the highway would have included:

New highway from I-84 connector to Meadow Road. Part of this would be built on railroad right-of-way for sale at the time.
Portions of Meadow Road, Red Oak Hill Road and New Britain Avenue

The plan's top construction priority for the area was the I-84 Connector to Meadow Road portion, which was recommended for construction as quickly as possible.

Route 4 was never relocated. Over the years, various plans for bypassing traffic have been discussed (see below).

Route 4 Connector

Approaching Route 4 connector (SR 508) on I-84 westbound. It's signed as Route 4, but technically only connects to Route 4, about a mile away. Poor-quality photo, that I won't admit to taking, April 2004.

The Route 4 Connector

What did get built was the I-84 connector, leading from a jughandle intersection on Route 4 to Exit 39 on I-84. This is signed as "Route 4" on I-84, but is technically SR 508.

Scan of 1971 official highway map implies that the Route 4 connector was partially built. The 1972 map shows the same stub, while the 1974 map shows the complete connector.

I think the connector opened in 1969, when I-84 did. The pavement date in the ConnDOT 1978 log agrees with this. However, official state maps in 1971 and 1972 show the connector built only to Patrick Flood Road (near Middle Road). The 1974 map shows the connector extending to the jughandle on Route 4, where it ends today.

Bypassing Farmington Center

The center of Farmington, where it intersects the two-lane Route 10, is the choke point for the two-lane Route 4, causing long lines of stopped traffic.

This was a problem recognized in the 1960s, as the construction of I-84 to the east was imminent. In 1967, the plans for Route 4 heading westward were in flux, but the connector was proposed as built today. The "Citizens for Farmington" group of residents, wary of the traffic that would flow on Route 4 through the village center, proposed the following alternatives to reroute traffic:

build the Route 10 freeway between US 6 and Route 4, near the western town line
improve the "Five Corners" intersection at US 6 and Fienemann Road (to encourage east-west traffic to use US 6 instead of Route 4
build I-291 from I-84 to Route 4 at Oakland Gardens

These projects would create an effective Route 4 bypass, the group contended. However, neither Route 10 nor I-291 were built, and the connector was.

Other plans have surfaced over the years. A recent plan to be rejected was the $118 million "Northern Bypass" in January 1998. The four-lane road would have skirted a West Hartford neighborhood and taken out more than a dozen houses in Farmington before ending at Route 167 in Avon.

In the wake of this, planners in c. 1999 were considering other options, including: four-laning US 6 between I-84 and Route 10; completing the interchange at exit 38 to provide complete access to US 6 from I-84 eastbound; and changing I-84 between routes 6 and 9 so that three continuous through lanes are provided.

In June 1998, the state conducted a public information meeting concerning proposed improvements to Route 4 near the end of the I-84 connector. According to the plan, Route 4 itself would be shifted north to move away from houses to the south. South Road (SR 531) would be moved northeast to form a T-intersection with Route 4, and Birdseye Road (SR 549) to the east to form a T with South Road. (Currently, both roads cross and form Y intersections with Route 4, east of the I-84 connector.) Route 4 would have two thru lanes in each direction at South Road. Double left-turn lanes would be provided at the two intersections.

On January 12, 1999, a package of improvements was approved by the Farmington town council. Highlights of the plan: Route 4 westbound will remain one lane. Route 4 eastbound will be two lanes from Garden Street to I-84. Turn lanes will be added at Route 10, and the South Road intersection will be upgraded. Estimated cost is $4.4 million. The same highlights were included in CRCOG's summary of recommendations from the Route 4 Corridor Study in early 2001.

	46.72 miles; from Route 41 in Sharon to end of state maintenance near Mountain Road in West Hartford. (The road continues as a city street, Farmington Avenue.) Route 4 is a state scenic highway between Route 41 and US 7.
	In the 1920s, "Route 4" was NE-4, a New England interstate route that became US 7. Both US 7 and NE-4 followed present-day Route 41 out of Massachusetts, through the northwest corner of Connecticut into New York. Today's Route 4 was commissioned in 1932. West End Route 4 originally started at the New York state line, as a continuation of NY 361. In 1967, Connecticut rolled back Route 4 to end at Route 41, numbering the remaining stretch Route 361 for compatibility with New York state route 361. New York has since dropped its NY 361 designation, but no hard feelings. On a smaller scale, a section of Route 4 was realigned in the Ellsworth section of Sharon in 1933 or 1934. Dunbar Road and W. Woods Road are the old alignment. East End Route 4 originally ended in Farmington at Route 10; Farmington Avenue from there eastward into Hartford was part of US 6. In 1951, US 6 was rerouted southward and Route 4 followed Farmington Avenue all the way to Pulaski Circle. Now, however, Route 4 officially ends abruptly west of Mountain Road in West Hartford. Torrington Area This area has the most interesting changes to Route 4 (along with Routes 25, 72, and 202). I've provided some snapshot maps to help you along. c. 1938 Route 4 originally took a more northerly route between Burlington and Torrington using present-day Route 179 and US 202. It did not actually contact US 44; a one-mile unnumbered road provided access between them. Sections of present-day Route 4 were numbered Route 116 and Route 117. c. 1956 Still with us? In 1954, CT 117 became part of Route 72, which extended north into Massachusetts. Also, US 6 had shifted north in Bristol, south in Farmington and Route 4 extended all the way into Hartford. c. 1965 In 1963, Route 4 between Torrington and Collinsville shifted south to its current route. Route 25 claimed the northern route; Route 72 was also cut short, the northwest segment becoming Route 272. Today In 1974, US 202 was rerouted away from Route 10 and US 6, taking the path of Route 25 from Torrington to New Milford. Also, Route 116 was renumbered Route 118. Route 4 Relocation Plans, Farmington In the 1960s, a few plans were floated for relocating Route 4, both to bypass downtown Farmington and to connect I-84 to a planned Route 10 freeway. Neither was done, though a freeway connector to Route 4 from I-84 Exit 39 was built in 1969. In 1963, the state proposed a four-lane expressway treatment, extending from I-84 exit 39 to proposed Route 10, slated for 1972. This was later cancelled. In 1968, the Route 10 freeway plan was still active, but a Routes 4 and 10 planning study had changed the proposed role of Route 4 to a two-lane controlled-access highway, bypassing Farmington Village to the south. Starting at the I-84 connector, the highway would connect with the Route 10 freeway and terminate at existing Route 4 (Collinsville Road) near Unionville. From east to west, the highway would have included: New highway from I-84 connector to Meadow Road. Part of this would be built on railroad right-of-way for sale at the time. Portions of Meadow Road, Red Oak Hill Road and New Britain Avenue The plan's top construction priority for the area was the I-84 Connector to Meadow Road portion, which was recommended for construction as quickly as possible. Route 4 was never relocated. Over the years, various plans for bypassing traffic have been discussed (see below). Route 4 Connector Approaching Route 4 connector (SR 508) on I-84 westbound. It's signed as Route 4, but technically only connects to Route 4, about a mile away. Poor-quality photo, that I won't admit to taking, April 2004. The Route 4 Connector What did get built was the I-84 connector, leading from a jughandle intersection on Route 4 to Exit 39 on I-84. This is signed as "Route 4" on I-84, but is technically SR 508. Scan of 1971 official highway map implies that the Route 4 connector was partially built. The 1972 map shows the same stub, while the 1974 map shows the complete connector. I think the connector opened in 1969, when I-84 did. The pavement date in the ConnDOT 1978 log agrees with this. However, official state maps in 1971 and 1972 show the connector built only to Patrick Flood Road (near Middle Road). The 1974 map shows the connector extending to the jughandle on Route 4, where it ends today. Bypassing Farmington Center The center of Farmington, where it intersects the two-lane Route 10, is the choke point for the two-lane Route 4, causing long lines of stopped traffic. This was a problem recognized in the 1960s, as the construction of I-84 to the east was imminent. In 1967, the plans for Route 4 heading westward were in flux, but the connector was proposed as built today. The "Citizens for Farmington" group of residents, wary of the traffic that would flow on Route 4 through the village center, proposed the following alternatives to reroute traffic: build the Route 10 freeway between US 6 and Route 4, near the western town line improve the "Five Corners" intersection at US 6 and Fienemann Road (to encourage east-west traffic to use US 6 instead of Route 4 build I-291 from I-84 to Route 4 at Oakland Gardens These projects would create an effective Route 4 bypass, the group contended. However, neither Route 10 nor I-291 were built, and the connector was. Other plans have surfaced over the years. A recent plan to be rejected was the $118 million "Northern Bypass" in January 1998. The four-lane road would have skirted a West Hartford neighborhood and taken out more than a dozen houses in Farmington before ending at Route 167 in Avon. In the wake of this, planners in c. 1999 were considering other options, including: four-laning US 6 between I-84 and Route 10; completing the interchange at exit 38 to provide complete access to US 6 from I-84 eastbound; and changing I-84 between routes 6 and 9 so that three continuous through lanes are provided. In June 1998, the state conducted a public information meeting concerning proposed improvements to Route 4 near the end of the I-84 connector. According to the plan, Route 4 itself would be shifted north to move away from houses to the south. South Road (SR 531) would be moved northeast to form a T-intersection with Route 4, and Birdseye Road (SR 549) to the east to form a T with South Road. (Currently, both roads cross and form Y intersections with Route 4, east of the I-84 connector.) Route 4 would have two thru lanes in each direction at South Road. Double left-turn lanes would be provided at the two intersections. On January 12, 1999, a package of improvements was approved by the Farmington town council. Highlights of the plan: Route 4 westbound will remain one lane. Route 4 eastbound will be two lanes from Garden Street to I-84. Turn lanes will be added at Route 10, and the South Road intersection will be upgraded. Estimated cost is $4.4 million. The same highlights were included in CRCOG's summary of recommendations from the Route 4 Corridor Study in early 2001.
	The Capitol Region long-range Transportation Plan 2030 includes the following improvements for Route 4 and the Connector: Eliminate left-hand exits and entrances at I-84 exit 39, and provide direct access from Route 4 to Route 9. Reconstruct Route 4 to a three-lane cross-section through Farmington Center (2 eastbound, 1 westbound)... similar to 1999 plan. Intersection improvements at Route 10, Route 167 and Route 177.
	Relocate US 6 along Birdseye Road and Farmington Avenue, returning to its historical route into Hartford. Relocate Route 4 onto the Connector (SR 508) to end at I-84. Add ramps from Route 4 at Birdseye Road (US 6). Close the Colt Highway interchange at I-84 (exit 38).
	"Survey Plots Expressway Plans." Hartford Times, Jan. 1, 1963. "Farmington Citizens Aroused by I-84 Connector." Hartford Times, June 2, 1967. (They talk about it like it's a bad thing :-) Routes 4 and 10, Farmington, Connecticut; highway planning study. Connecticut Highway Dept., Dec. 1968. "Council Approves Route 4 Plan." Hartford Courant, January 13, 1999. Route 4 Corridor Study, Summary of Recommendations, Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG), Feb. 2001. Sharon Historical Society, "Sharon Archives, Winter 2002-2003." http://www.sharonhist.org/Newswinter03.htm (2 Sept. 2003) Capitol Region Transportation Plan Capital Region Council of Governments (CRCOG), March 2004.
	SR 508, the Route 4 connector from I-84 Unbuilt CT 4 freeway (history, Steve Anderson) Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG): includes Route 4 corridor study Roundabouts - Goshen, CT (Route 4 and 63; photos) Route 4 Ends (Photos; Doug Kerr at state-ends.com)