Connecticut Route 82

Route 2/32/82, Norwich

Interesting grade-separated intersection with routes 32 and 82 in Norwich.

28.47 miles; from Route 9 in Chester to routes 2 and 32 in Norwich.

Route 82 starts from a trumpet interchange on Route 9 as a three-lane limited access undivided highway, once planned to connect to a new bridge over the Connecticut River. This roadway ends at Route 154; Routes 82 and 154 overlap for a short distance.

When Route 82 turns east, it crosses the Connecticut River on the steel-truss East Haddam Bridge, which can swing open for tall ship traffic, and alights on the east bank at the picturesque Goodspeed Opera House.

Continuing east, Route 82 is a rural two-lane road until it reaches I-395 in Norwich, at a 6-ramp interchange. Then it widens to four lanes leading toward downtown Norwich, and terminates in an interesting grade-separated intersection with Routes 2 and 32 (shown).

East Haddam Bridge (CT 82), from east bank of Connecticut River. The span to the right swings open for tall ship traffic. Photo taken Sept. 2002 by Kurumi.

The East Haddam Bridge

The East Haddam is one of Connecticut's more charming bridges, even though it has stranded motorists on one side or the other from time to time.

In the 19th century, the crossing was served by a ferry. In 1909, a commission was created to study building a bridge there; on October 1, 1912, work began on the superstructure. The swing bridge opened on May 29, 1913. At the time, the 889-foot bridge, with 461 foot swing span, was one of the largest swing bridges in the world. On June 14, a grand opening celebration was held, with fife and drum parade.

Originally an open-deck steel surface, like the original Sikorsky Bridge carrying the Merritt Parkway over the Housatonic, the structure was retrofitted and the roadway covered with concrete in 1986. However, the added weight caused undue stress to the pivot bearing, causing the bridge to stick open in February 1999, snarling traffic on both banks. In 1998 and 1999, the state removed the concrete, replaced the bearing, and otherwise rehabilitated the bridge.

Early state long-range plans, circa 1965, called for a new Route 82 bridge to the south, as part of a planned expressway. This never came about, and the East Haddam Bridge is the only crossing between the Arrigoni Bridge (routes 17 and 66, Portland - Middletown) and the Route 148 ferry in Chester. The next bridge to the south is the Baldwin Bridge carrying US 1 and I-95.

Alignment and Numbering

Before 1932, Route 82 was known as state highway 153. Its alignment hasn't changed much over the years, except for the limited-access approach to Route 9 (circa 1971) and the revamped intersection in Norwich (late 1980s).

Widening Route 82

In the late 1960s, the state proposed building a Route 82 freeway between Chester and Norwich; however, this was in the "future needs" department and is not now planned.

In 1969, there were more concrete plans to improve the route in Norwich: widening to four lanes with a 16 foot median from I-395 to Asylum Street near downtown. The median wasn't included, but Route 82 was widened to four lanes there in the 1980s.

The connector to Route 9 in Haddam and Chester was conceived in 1961 or earlier, but appears to be an addition to previously existing Route 9 plans. A 1964 article describes "an East Haddam connector and two Rt. 9 interchanges to be constructed at an undetermined future date." The connector, with one trumpet interchange at Route 9 (where was the second one to go?) opened around 1971.

Almost lost its number to Interstate 82

In 1968, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved a new interstate link from Hartford to Providence. The number for it: Interstate 82. Had this gone forward as planned, state route 82 would have required another number.

Instead, the route was renumbered to be part of a realigned I-84, with I-86 taking over for the former I-84. And in the early 1980s, the eastern portion of I-84 was cancelled. You could say Route 82 dodged two bullets, and kept its number.

I-395 / Route 82 interchange redesign

The 6-ramp interchange at I-395, built in 1958, will be redesigned as part of a proposed $7 million project. Route 82 would be widened to five lanes in the area, an extent of 3,400 feet from west of Montville Road to east of Old Salem Road.

The northeast loop ramp (to Route 82 westbound) would be deleted, and the remaining ramps on the east side of I-395 realigned. See the I-395 page for more information.

"Route 82 Needs Work"

Along with the planned interchange reconstruction, local officials are pushing for improvements along Route 82 from there toward downtown Norwich. This busy four-lane section of road is nicknamed "Crash Alley": 569 accidents between 2000 and 2002.

In May 2004, two state representatives, the Norwich City Council, and the City Manager wrote to Congress asking for $9.2 million in federal funds to help improve the road. A fifth lane would be added between I-395 and the 32/82 split.

Zippy the Pinhead, "Power Vortex on Route 82." (Bill Griffith)

Some state's route 82 starred in Bill Griffith's 2001 strip titled "Power Vortex on Route 82." Nothing about the artwork rules Connecticut out. Griffith has also visited other sites in the state, including Willimantic's Frog Bridge.

Connecticut State Highway Department. "A Report to the Highway Users of Connecticut: 1960-1961."
"Cars should be moving on Relocated Route 9 by 1966." Hartford Courant, Sept. 9, 1964.
"Highway planning report Routes 2 & 82 Norwich, Connecticut." Michael Baker Jr. Inc., 1969.
"Swing Bridge a Marvel of Construction in 1913." Hometown News (Moodus, Conn.), Jan. 23, 1998.
"Citizens Resist DOT Plan to Close Faulty Swing Bridge During Repairs." Hometown News (Moodus, Conn.), Jan. 23, 1998.
"Residents have mixed reactions to I-395 interchange plan." The Day (New London, Conn.), Oct. 1, 2002.
"Norwich highway redesign project starts on long road in Legislature." Norwich [Conn.] Bulletin, Feb. 4, 2003.
"Lawmaker Asks Public, Businesses To Support Route 82 Construction/Hearing Tuesday On 'Crash Alley'." The Day (New London, Conn.), Dec. 13, 2003.
"Route 82 proposal gets favorable reaction." Norwich [Conn.] Bulletin, Dec. 17, 2003.
"Route 82: An accident zone." Norwich [Conn.] Bulletin, May 7, 2004. (widening bet. I-395 and CT 2)
"Route 82 needs work." Op-ed, Norwich [Conn.] Bulletin, May 10, 2004.

East Haddam Bridge (Connecticut's Historic Highway Bridges)
1913 E. Haddam Bridge opening (history, with scans of opening ceremony program)
Interstate 82 (old number for proposed interstate highway to Providence)
From Hartford to Providence (more information about I-82/84/86)

Home > Roads > Connecticut > Route 82

Updated Sept 4, 2004

Markers in the left margin for present-day routes are courtesy of Barry L. Camp.

This site is not affiliated with the State of Connecticut or the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

	Route 2/32/82, Norwich Interesting grade-separated intersection with routes 32 and 82 in Norwich. 28.47 miles; from Route 9 in Chester to routes 2 and 32 in Norwich. Route 82 starts from a trumpet interchange on Route 9 as a three-lane limited access undivided highway, once planned to connect to a new bridge over the Connecticut River. This roadway ends at Route 154; Routes 82 and 154 overlap for a short distance. When Route 82 turns east, it crosses the Connecticut River on the steel-truss East Haddam Bridge, which can swing open for tall ship traffic, and alights on the east bank at the picturesque Goodspeed Opera House. Continuing east, Route 82 is a rural two-lane road until it reaches I-395 in Norwich, at a 6-ramp interchange. Then it widens to four lanes leading toward downtown Norwich, and terminates in an interesting grade-separated intersection with Routes 2 and 32 (shown).
	East Haddam Bridge (CT 82), from east bank of Connecticut River. The span to the right swings open for tall ship traffic. Photo taken Sept. 2002 by Kurumi. The East Haddam Bridge The East Haddam is one of Connecticut's more charming bridges, even though it has stranded motorists on one side or the other from time to time. In the 19th century, the crossing was served by a ferry. In 1909, a commission was created to study building a bridge there; on October 1, 1912, work began on the superstructure. The swing bridge opened on May 29, 1913. At the time, the 889-foot bridge, with 461 foot swing span, was one of the largest swing bridges in the world. On June 14, a grand opening celebration was held, with fife and drum parade. Originally an open-deck steel surface, like the original Sikorsky Bridge carrying the Merritt Parkway over the Housatonic, the structure was retrofitted and the roadway covered with concrete in 1986. However, the added weight caused undue stress to the pivot bearing, causing the bridge to stick open in February 1999, snarling traffic on both banks. In 1998 and 1999, the state removed the concrete, replaced the bearing, and otherwise rehabilitated the bridge. Early state long-range plans, circa 1965, called for a new Route 82 bridge to the south, as part of a planned expressway. This never came about, and the East Haddam Bridge is the only crossing between the Arrigoni Bridge (routes 17 and 66, Portland - Middletown) and the Route 148 ferry in Chester. The next bridge to the south is the Baldwin Bridge carrying US 1 and I-95. Alignment and Numbering Before 1932, Route 82 was known as state highway 153. Its alignment hasn't changed much over the years, except for the limited-access approach to Route 9 (circa 1971) and the revamped intersection in Norwich (late 1980s). Widening Route 82 In the late 1960s, the state proposed building a Route 82 freeway between Chester and Norwich; however, this was in the "future needs" department and is not now planned. In 1969, there were more concrete plans to improve the route in Norwich: widening to four lanes with a 16 foot median from I-395 to Asylum Street near downtown. The median wasn't included, but Route 82 was widened to four lanes there in the 1980s. The connector to Route 9 in Haddam and Chester was conceived in 1961 or earlier, but appears to be an addition to previously existing Route 9 plans. A 1964 article describes "an East Haddam connector and two Rt. 9 interchanges to be constructed at an undetermined future date." The connector, with one trumpet interchange at Route 9 (where was the second one to go?) opened around 1971. Almost lost its number to Interstate 82 In 1968, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved a new interstate link from Hartford to Providence. The number for it: Interstate 82. Had this gone forward as planned, state route 82 would have required another number. Instead, the route was renumbered to be part of a realigned I-84, with I-86 taking over for the former I-84. And in the early 1980s, the eastern portion of I-84 was cancelled. You could say Route 82 dodged two bullets, and kept its number.
	I-395 / Route 82 interchange redesign The 6-ramp interchange at I-395, built in 1958, will be redesigned as part of a proposed $7 million project. Route 82 would be widened to five lanes in the area, an extent of 3,400 feet from west of Montville Road to east of Old Salem Road. The northeast loop ramp (to Route 82 westbound) would be deleted, and the remaining ramps on the east side of I-395 realigned. See the I-395 page for more information. "Route 82 Needs Work" Along with the planned interchange reconstruction, local officials are pushing for improvements along Route 82 from there toward downtown Norwich. This busy four-lane section of road is nicknamed "Crash Alley": 569 accidents between 2000 and 2002. In May 2004, two state representatives, the Norwich City Council, and the City Manager wrote to Congress asking for $9.2 million in federal funds to help improve the road. A fifth lane would be added between I-395 and the 32/82 split.
	Zippy the Pinhead, "Power Vortex on Route 82." (Bill Griffith) Some state's route 82 starred in Bill Griffith's 2001 strip titled "Power Vortex on Route 82." Nothing about the artwork rules Connecticut out. Griffith has also visited other sites in the state, including Willimantic's Frog Bridge.
	Connecticut State Highway Department. "A Report to the Highway Users of Connecticut: 1960-1961." "Cars should be moving on Relocated Route 9 by 1966." Hartford Courant, Sept. 9, 1964. "Highway planning report Routes 2 & 82 Norwich, Connecticut." Michael Baker Jr. Inc., 1969. "Swing Bridge a Marvel of Construction in 1913." Hometown News (Moodus, Conn.), Jan. 23, 1998. "Citizens Resist DOT Plan to Close Faulty Swing Bridge During Repairs." Hometown News (Moodus, Conn.), Jan. 23, 1998. "Residents have mixed reactions to I-395 interchange plan." The Day (New London, Conn.), Oct. 1, 2002. "Norwich highway redesign project starts on long road in Legislature." Norwich [Conn.] Bulletin, Feb. 4, 2003. "Lawmaker Asks Public, Businesses To Support Route 82 Construction/Hearing Tuesday On 'Crash Alley'." The Day (New London, Conn.), Dec. 13, 2003. "Route 82 proposal gets favorable reaction." Norwich [Conn.] Bulletin, Dec. 17, 2003. "Route 82: An accident zone." Norwich [Conn.] Bulletin, May 7, 2004. (widening bet. I-395 and CT 2) "Route 82 needs work." Op-ed, Norwich [Conn.] Bulletin, May 10, 2004.
	East Haddam Bridge (Connecticut's Historic Highway Bridges) 1913 E. Haddam Bridge opening (history, with scans of opening ceremony program) Interstate 82 (old number for proposed interstate highway to Providence) From Hartford to Providence (more information about I-82/84/86)