CT 93
  • Summary Old number for today's scenic Route 169.
  • From Jan. 1, 1932
  • To Jan. 1, 1959

Route 93 was commissioned in 1932, and followed (with some differences) today's Route 169, from Norwich into Massachusetts. It was changed to 169 on Jan. 1, 1959, to avoid a future numbering conflict in Massachusetts with planned Interstate 93. Had old Route 93 not crossed a state line, it might have kept its number.

Another route renumbered (partially) for the same reason: part of Route 190 became Route 168 in 1977 when Interstate 190 opened in Massachusetts.

Original Route 93

Route 93's 1932 alignment was different from today's Route 169 in a few places. From south to north:

In 1951, it looks like two improvements took place:

A misunderstanding in Massachusetts

In June 1958, when the routes and numbers of planned Interstate highways were being negotiated, a nationwide map was circulated showing the Boston to Concord route as part of I-89 instead of I-93. Communication at the time was mainly by mail and telegram; there was talk of the map being in error, but the Massachusetts Department of Public Works wanted to confirm this with the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO):

Would you kindly advise as to which number is the correct one for this route in Massachusetts. Actually, changing Route 93 to 89 will cause some embarrassment to this Department inasmuch as both Massachusetts and Connecticut have jointly agreed to renumber the present State Route 93. In our opinion, Route 93 should remain as it originally was, and I know that the State of New Hampshire is of the same opinion.

Fortunately, this was all sorted out, and CT 93's renumbering was not in vain.

CT 93 Sources