1.24 miles; from Route 4 to Route 128 in Cornwall. Route 125 is Connecticut's shortest signed state highway.

In the 1920s, State Highway 125 followed a 15-mile stretch of Route 67 between New Milford (US 7) and Southbury (US 6).

Today's Route 125 was commissioned in 1932, and has changed little since then. A 1938 Highway Department map shows the route extending south across Route 4, following Pine Street to end at Jewell Street, for a length of 1.46 miles. This area is Cornwall's historic town center, and town offices are still located here.

Route 125 dodged a bullet in the early 1960s: the Route Reclassification in 1961 called for the route to be turned over to the town. However (and my source doesn't say why) it was decided in 1962 or '63 to retain it in the state system.

• Connecticut State Highway Department. "Map of Litchfield County, showing system of state highways and town roads." Dated 1938.
• Connecticut State Highway Department. Biennial Report of Alterations to the State Highway System, dated 1963.

• Route 125 Ends (Photos; Doug Kerr at state-ends.com)

6.08 miles; from US 44 in North Canaan to Route 63 in Canaan.

In the 1920s, State Highway 126 followed today's US 7 between US 1 and Route 35. Until about 1928, US 7 actually followed today's NY 22 outside Connecticut toward New York City.

The modern Route 126, commissioned in 1932, originally ran from Route 63 to Falls Village. It eventually was extended to US 44.

• Route 126 Ends (Photos; Doug Kerr at state-ends.com)

6.80 miles; from Route 130 in Bridgeport to Route 111 in Trumbull.

In the 1920s, State Highway 127 followed the old Route 130 west of US 7 in Kent.

The modern Route 127, commissioned in 1932, originally had its south end at US 1, for a length of 5.47 miles. In 1978, its official south end was Huntington Turnpike (SR 730), for a length of 4.69 miles. I don't know when it was extended south to Route 130.

Until about 2004, Route 127 appeared not to be signed south of US 1. A photo once available at Gribblenation showed Route 127 signed there only to the north. During the recent construction on I-95 in the area, new signs were added, now mentioning Route 127 (see photo).

4.03 miles; from US 7 in Sharon, across a covered bridge, to Route 4 and Route 43 in Cornwall. If you're wondering where all the mainframe and biotech companies are, you're probably looking for Massachusetts route 128. Connecticut's version instead offers lush scenery and history.

In the 1920s, State Highway 128 followed today's US 202 from Danbury to Torrington. In 1932, that became part of Route 25.

The modern Route 128 was commissioned in 1932, taking over from the old SH 309, and hasn't changed since then.

The West Cornwall Bridge on Route 128 (pictured), is one of two remaining covered bridges in Connecticut open to traffic. It was constructed in 1864, on the site of an earlier bridge built in 1841.

In 1969 the state was planning to remove the bridge from the state highway system and declare it a historical landmark. I don't know if the DOT had planned to build another bridge carrying Route 128 or to truncate the route. However, the bridge was kept in the system.

In 1973 the state rehabilitated the bridge and installed a concealed steel deck to help bear traffic loads. The bridge was also raised two feet for greater protection against flood waters. This work garnered a first-place award from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for preservation of a historic site.

• "West Cornwall Bridge." Web site, http://www.past-inc.org/historic-bridges/covered-cornwall.html. Based on "Connecticut's Historic Highway Bridges", written by Bruce Clouette and Matthew Roth.
• Howard, Andrew R. Covered Bridges of Connecticut. Unionville, Conn.: Village Press, 1985.

• Connecticut Covered Bridges - West Cornwall Bridge (photos)
• West Cornwall Bridge (past-inc.org; photos and history)

No longer assigned; commissioned in 1932, Route 129 connected downtown New Milford with the northern village of Merryall. Its route, south to north, was 6.79 miles:

• Railroad St. from Bridge St. (today's US 202/Route 67) to Wellsville Ave.
• Wellsville Ave. to Merryall Rd.
• Merryall Rd. (rebuilt by the state in 1928) to Bear Hill Rd. (village of Lower Merryall)
• Bear Hill Rd. to Squire Hill Rd.
• Squire Hill Rd. to Chemiske Rd. (old Route 130)

Route 129 served the old Mica Quarry, which even by 1935 had been abandoned. From 1932 to 1940, it ended at Route 130 there; Route 130 was soon abandoned as well. The former intersection of routes 129 and 130 is probably very quiet these days.

Route 129 disappeared from the official state highway map in 1941, but reappeared in 1942. It was turned over to the town in 1963.

• Szendy, Roger. "CT Rt. 129." Personal email, June 11, 2001.
• Moraseski, Dan. "CT 129." Personal email, June 23, 2001.