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:
- today's Route 169, from Route 2 in Norwich to Route 101 in Pomfret
- west on Killingly Road today's Route 101 to US 44
- overlap with US 44 along Averill Road, connecting with Railroad Street. The old railroad crossing here is gone.
- continue north with US 44 to Route 97
- east with US 44 to Woodstock Road
- north on Woodstock Road to today's Route 169
- today's Route 169 to the state line
In 1951, it looks like two improvements took place:
- a new alignment of US 44 and Route 93, underpassing the railroad (now the Airline Trail). At some point Railroad Street, the old alignment, became SR 872; and was turned over to the town in 1962.
- a new segment of Pomfret Street continuing straight north-northeast from the northern 44/97 junction. The old segment of Woodstock Road became SR 559; and was turned over to the town in 1962.
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.