Connecticut Routes 45-49

10.25 miles; from US 202 in Washington to US 7 in Cornwall.

Commissioned in 1932; before that, known as State Highway 152. No changes since then.

12.27 miles; from US 6 in Woodbury to US 202 in Washington.

Commissioned in 1932; before that, known as part of State Highway 154. No changes since then.

21.91 miles; from Route 2 in Stonington to Route 14A in Sterling. Route 49 is a state scenic road in two places:

from Route 184 to 0.1 mile south of Route 165, North Stonington, Voluntown; 10.90 miles.
from boat launch area to Route 14A, Voluntown, 7.90 miles.

In late 2002, the town of Voluntown joined ConnDOT in creating a management plan to preserve the scenic aspects of Route 49.

The old Route 49 (today's Route 272) connected Torrington and Norfolk. It was created in 1932 from old State Highway 312. On May 1, 1954, the road became an extension of Route 72; in 1963 it was renumbered 272.

The current Route 49 got its number in 1958. Before 1932, this road was called State Highway 216; then it became Route 95. As the 1950s came to a close, Interstate 95 arrived in southeastern Connecticut, and state route 95 needed a new number. (For a short time, today's Route 184 was signed CT 95, to guide motorists through the area before I-95 was complete.)

Preserving a Scenic Route

In early 2003, work on a Scenic Route 49 and Route 14A Corridor Management Plan was started, funded by the FHWA and ConnDOT. Concerns are speed along Route 49, stone walls, and the surrounding scenery. Since state budget contstraints preclude adding more police, one idea floated was to repaint the fog line so that the lanes are 11 feet wide.

In October 2003, the state turned down a N. Stonington request to lower the speed limit from 45 mph to 35 and 30 mph.

"Extended routes will cause two number changes." Hartford Courant, Apr. 25, 1954.
"Voluntown, state will work to keep Route 49 charming." The Day (New London, Conn.), Oct. 18, 2002.
"Townspeople speak minds on scenic road management." Norwich [Conn.] Bulletin, Feb. 27, 2003.
"Speeding, preservation of concern on route 49." Westerly [R. I.] Sun, Mar. 23, 2004.

Route 49 Ends (Photos; Doug Kerr at state-ends.com)

Home > Roads > Connecticut > Routes 45-49

Updated Sept 21, 2006

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.

Routes 46 and 48 have never existed.
	10.25 miles; from US 202 in Washington to US 7 in Cornwall.
	Commissioned in 1932; before that, known as State Highway 152. No changes since then.

	12.27 miles; from US 6 in Woodbury to US 202 in Washington.
	Commissioned in 1932; before that, known as part of State Highway 154. No changes since then.

	21.91 miles; from Route 2 in Stonington to Route 14A in Sterling. Route 49 is a state scenic road in two places: from Route 184 to 0.1 mile south of Route 165, North Stonington, Voluntown; 10.90 miles. from boat launch area to Route 14A, Voluntown, 7.90 miles. In late 2002, the town of Voluntown joined ConnDOT in creating a management plan to preserve the scenic aspects of Route 49.
	The old Route 49 (today's Route 272) connected Torrington and Norfolk. It was created in 1932 from old State Highway 312. On May 1, 1954, the road became an extension of Route 72; in 1963 it was renumbered 272. The current Route 49 got its number in 1958. Before 1932, this road was called State Highway 216; then it became Route 95. As the 1950s came to a close, Interstate 95 arrived in southeastern Connecticut, and state route 95 needed a new number. (For a short time, today's Route 184 was signed CT 95, to guide motorists through the area before I-95 was complete.) Preserving a Scenic Route In early 2003, work on a Scenic Route 49 and Route 14A Corridor Management Plan was started, funded by the FHWA and ConnDOT. Concerns are speed along Route 49, stone walls, and the surrounding scenery. Since state budget contstraints preclude adding more police, one idea floated was to repaint the fog line so that the lanes are 11 feet wide. In October 2003, the state turned down a N. Stonington request to lower the speed limit from 45 mph to 35 and 30 mph.
	"Extended routes will cause two number changes." Hartford Courant, Apr. 25, 1954. "Voluntown, state will work to keep Route 49 charming." The Day (New London, Conn.), Oct. 18, 2002. "Townspeople speak minds on scenic road management." Norwich [Conn.] Bulletin, Feb. 27, 2003. "Speeding, preservation of concern on route 49." Westerly [R. I.] Sun, Mar. 23, 2004.
	Route 49 Ends (Photos; Doug Kerr at state-ends.com)