The southern portion of Route 69, known as the Litchfield Turnpike, was once part of the Straits Turnpike, a 36-mile route from New Haven to Litchfield incorporated in 1797. The Turnpike leaves Route 69 in Bethany and veers northwest to intercept Route 63, which follows the approximate Turnpike alignment to Litchfield. The Straits Turnpike, named for a gap in Beacon Mountain about 14 miles north of New Haven, was a toll road until about 1821.

Location Changes

Route 69 was commissioned in 1932, and incorporated the earlier state highways numbered 348, 199, and 172. Its original alignment followed today's route, but extended only from Route 67 (now Route 63) in New Haven to E. Main St (Route 14) in Waterbury, for a length of 17 miles. The road continuing to Bristol was called Route 119. The road to Burlington was not numbered.

In 1934, Route 69 was extended to Route 72 in Bristol, incorporating Route 119. After a short eastbound overlap with E. Main St, Route 69 followed Wolcott St. into Bristol. This is slightly west of its current alignment leaving Waterbury. The extension increased Route 69's length to 27.60 miles.

In 1935, there's a record of an SR 552 being assigned to a segment of old Route 69 in Wolcott. I don't have more details at the moment, and I'm not convinced the 552 number is correct.

In 1953 or 1954, Route 69 was extended south to Route 10 in New Haven, as part of a triple overlap (Routes 63, 67, and 69). This was likely done so that more northwestern towns could follow a single route into New Haven. Route 69 was now 29.83 miles long, including a 2.44-mile overlap with Route 67.

Roads into New Haven, 1961

There's some off-topic material in the map, but it's fun to include. The road marked "69" ending at Sherman Ave (Route 10) is actually routes 63, 67, and 69. Ansonia Rd. and Fountain St. should be marked as Route 114. And, Route 17 and Route 80 are longer than they are today.

In 1962, Route 69 saw several changes. In New Haven, Routes 69 and 67 were removed from the overlap with Route 63. In Waterbury, Route 69 was moved from Wolcott St to the Silver Street Expressway and Woodtick Rd. In Bristol, Route 69 was extended along old SR 787 to Route 4 in Burlington. These changes brought the route to its current location and length.

Scenic Route applied for

In March 2000, officials in Woodbridge and Bethany proposed making part of Route 69 a scenic route; the state reviewed the application, but declined it. The portion reviewed extended from Bond Road in Woodbridge to Route 42 in Bethany.

Corridor Study in 2000

The Central Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (COGCNV) in 2000 started a study along a 9-mile stretch of Route 69 from Route 68 to Route 322 in Prospect, Waterbury, and Wolcott. The problems included congestion, safety hazards, and a lack of room to widen the road. East Main Street was a particular chokepoint. The goal of the study:

The recommendations included:

• Route 69 from East Main Street to Manor Avenue - Widen Route 69 in this section and improve the lane configuration at the Route 69 and East Main Street intersection.
• Route 69 and Wolcott Street from Long Hill Road to Lakewood Road - Major upgrade including street widening for additional lanes, double turn lanes, and raised median dividers.
• Route 69 at Southmayd Road - Realign the Southmayd Road approach to Route 69 (Meriden Road).

Realignment proposed in Waterbury

In 2003, Waterbury planners proposed moving Route 69 closer to its original alignment north of Meriden Road. Instead of following Woodtick Road and Stillson Road to meet Wolcott Street, the proposed realigned route would follow Manor Road to intercept Wolcott Street one mile to the south.

Business owners complain that present-day Route 69 bypasses a large retail area on Wolcott Street, and some customers are reluctant to leave Route 69, or get lost doing so. Residents along Woodtick Road don't like the additional Route 69 traffic. Moving Route 69 seemed like a good idea, and the recommendation was added to the city's plan of conservation and development in 2005.

In 2009, however, Route 69 remains where it is. Some reasons against the move include the increased congestion a northbound left turn onto Manor Road would cause; and the local funding (a few million dollars) needed to improve the new alignment to state standards. I haven't seen anything on this story since 2005.

• Connecticut State Highway Department. Routes and Road Numbers on the State Highway System, Showing Control Numbers and Sections. Dated Jan. 1, 1942, Nov. 1, 1952, and Dec. 1, 1954.
• Wood, Frederic J. "The Turnpikes of New England." Pepperell, Mass.: Branch Line Press, 1997. (reprint of 1909 edition)
• "Committee looks to change Route 69 traffic flow." The Republican-American [Waterbury, Conn.], Jan. 9, 2000.
• (No title) ConnDOT press release, March 16, 2000.
• "Residents loathe driving Route 69." The Republican-American [Waterbury, Conn.], June 15, 2000.
• CNVCOG Publications page
• "The moving parking lot near I-84." The Republican-American [Waterbury, Conn.], Feb. 13, 2005.
• "Redirected Route 69 could be a costly change for Waterbury." The Republican-American [Waterbury, Conn.], June 26, 2005.
• Council of Governments of the Central Naugatuck Valley. "Long Range Regional Transportation Plan: 2007-2035." Published in 2007.

• CT 69 Photos (Steve Alpert)
• Haunted area along Route 69