2.58 miles; from Route 58 to US 1, entirely within Fairfield. Comprises North Benson and Stillson Roads.

In the 1920s, State Highway 135 followed today's Route 80 between New Haven and North Branford.

In 1932, the old Route 135 was created as a 9.07-mile route from Southbury into Middlebury. Its location, from west to east:

• Old Waterbury Road, from US 6 to Route 188
• Today's Route 188 from Old Waterbury Road to Route 63.

Route 188 existed at the time, but its northern terminus was Route 135.

In 1943, Route 135 was deleted. Route 188 incorporated the eastern portion, and the Waterbury Road portion was no longer signed.

By 1953, the modern Route 135 was commissioned in Fairfield.

Widening averted in 2002

The New Haven Line/Metro North Railroad bridge overpasses Route 135 near US 1. In 2001, the state announced a plan to replace the bridge, lower Route 135, and widen it to four lanes between US 1 and I-95. The $11.7 million project was to start in late 2004.

Instead, area representatives, concerned about increased traffic the road could attract, convinced the state to rehabilitate the bridge and not widen Route 135.

• Connecticut State Highway Department. Routes and Road Numbers on the State Highway System, Showing Control Numbers and Sections. Dated Jan. 1, 1942.
• ConnDOT press release, late 2001
• "Major North Benson Road Project Cancelled." Press release, state rep. Carl Dickman, April 18, 2002.

Route 135 Ends (Photos; Doug Kerr at state-ends.com)

20.44 miles; from US 1 in Darien to Route 59 in Easton. A small section (1.09 miles, between South Main and Washington Streets) in South Norwalk is city-maintained; that's why some maps show a gap in the road. Only Route 83 has a similar gap, in South Manchester.

In the 1920s, State Highway 136 followed today's Route 37 and Route 39 between Danbury and Sherman.

Route 136 was commissioned in 1932 as a 16.23-mile route entirely south of US 1. Its original route, from west to east:

• today's Route 136, from US 1 in Darien to Compo Rd. in Westport
• Greens Farms Road, past the vicinity of Sherwood Island State Park
• Beachside Ave. to Pequot Ave.
• Pequot Ave. to US 1 in Southport

In 1963, Route 136 was altered to its current location.

• Connecticut State Highway Department. Routes and Road Numbers on the State Highway System, Showing Control Numbers and Sections. Dated Jan. 1, 1942.

Route 136 Ends (Photos; Doug Kerr at state-ends.com)

From US 1 in Stamford to NY 121 south of Cross River, N. Y; 9.33 miles in Connecticut. Route 137 is displayed on I-95 guide signs, but does not officially reach I-95; instead, SSR 437 continues past US 1 to make the connection.

Route 137 is a six to eight lane boulevard in downtown Stamford up to Route 104; then four lanes up to the Merritt Parkway.

In the 1920s, State Highway 137 followed today's Route 101 between modern-day routes 169 and 12.

Commissioned in 1932, the modern Route 137 formerly entered Stamford center via Summer St. south of Route 104, but now takes Washington Blvd.

On June 28, 1962, a four-mile section from Long Ridge Road to the Merritt Parkway was dedicated the Yankee Division Highway, honoring New England's 26th Division which served in World Wars I and II.

In 1969, Westchester county proposed upgrading Route 137 to a freeway, from NY 172 south. Route 137 would have had interchanges at Route 15, Route 104, US 1, and I-95. One would imagine a little resistance by Stamford residents to this idea.

Route 137 (High Ridge Road) makes an appearance in the 1964 film "Horror at Party Beach."

• NY/CT 137 expressway (Steve Anderson)
• Route 137 Ends (Photos; Doug Kerr at state-ends.com)

118 miles; from Route 97 in Sprague to MA 28 in Milton, Mass. 17.73 miles in Connecticut.

Through Route 138 is two lanes in Connecticut, passing through mill towns and countryside, it gets more interesting in Rhode Island: there, sections of RI 138 expressway were once intended to become part of Interstate 895 south and east of Providence.

The meandering Route 138 leads to Newport, R.I., then heads north toward Boston and almost makes it.

In the 1920s, State Highway 138 went from Unionville to Canton via today's Route 4, Route 179, Maple Ave and Dowd Ave (both now SR 565) to US 44.

At the same time, modern-day Route 138 was called SH 321.

In 1932, Route 138 was commissioned between (what are now) Route 169 and Route 49. Route 138 already existed between Boston and Newport in 1928, so Connecticut used the number as a courtesy.

Some time in the 1950s, Route 138 was apparently reconstructed in the vicinity of Edmond Road in the Pachaug section of Griswold; some houses were taken. In 2003, there was discussion among officials whether the town should retain the road or abandon it (I believe this is the same section of old 138); the going sentiment was to turn it over to a private property owner who holds acreage on both sides.

In 1963, Route 138 was extended west to Route 97.

Extend numbering west along Route 207 and Route 16 to Route 66 in East Hampton.

"Yes, I was quite shocked to find, when I settled in New England proper after my upbringing in the Western Reserve of Connecticut, any number of state highways hereabouts that keep the same number as they cross state borders. Another tri-state example is 138, which traces an extraordinary hook-shaped trajectory from Nowheresville^WBaltic CT across Rhode Island (via three bridges) and then up through Massachusetts to mute inglorious Milton."

• "Whipping Post A Catalyst For Change." The Day [New London, Conn.], Dec. 28, 2000.
• "Town doesn't want portion of Route 138." Norwich [Conn.] Bulletin, Oct. 24, 2003.

Route 138 Ends (Photos; Doug Kerr at state-ends.com)

No longer assigned; circa 1942 to 1947, Route 138A was applied to Sheldon Road, an 0.22-mile connector from Route 138 to Route 165 in Voluntown.

2.36 miles; from US 1 in Branford to Routes 22 and 80 in North Branford.

In the 1920s, State Highway 139 followed today's Route 101 between Route 12 and Rhode Island.

The modern Route 139 was created in 1932, and was not always as short as it is now. The original route extended 8.03 miles, from US 1 to Route 15 (now Route 17) in North Branford.

In 1951, the state created Route 22 from three existing routes to help guide drivers from the new Wilbur Cross Parkway to US 1. Route 22 absorbed most of Route 139, leaving the 2-mile segment we see today.

• "Route marks planned on links to parkways." Bridgeport Sunday Post, April 22, 1951.

Route 139 Ends (Photos; Doug Kerr at state-ends.com)

No longer assigned; circa 1942 to 1947, this was an 0.18-mile connection between Route 139 and Route 80 in Branford. The highway log didn't specify the exact location, but my guess is the nearby stub of Branford Road that is now a cul-de-sac.