Connecticut Interstate 290

Section of Hartford Courant article, June 14, 1983

For a short time, Route 52 (I-395) was being called I-290. Article from the Hartford Courant, June 14, 1983.

I-290 was a proposed renumbering of the old Route 52; but the number selected instead was I-395.

The idea of designating Route 52 as an interstate highway dates to the early 1970s. What spurred this idea forward in Connecticut, however, was Rhode Island's cancellation of its portion of I-84 in 1982. Connecticut decided to still extend I-84 anyway, to end at Route 52 in Killingly. If Route 52 were another interstate highway, state officials reasoned that getting federal approval and funding for I-84 would be easier.

In late 1982, Gov. William O'Neill asked the U.S. Transportation Secretary to consider an interstate designation. This was approved within a year, and it appeared the new number would be 290: a southern extension of I-290 in Massachusetts. If this took effect, Connecticut would join a handful of states where a 3-digit interstate enters but its 2-digit parent interstate does not.

However, the resulting number, announced on June 28, 1983, was I-395 instead. The highway is continuous with I-290 in Massachusetts, and changes number at the I-90 interchange.

	For a short time, Route 52 (I-395) was being called I-290. Article from the Hartford Courant, June 14, 1983. I-290 was a proposed renumbering of the old Route 52; but the number selected instead was I-395. The idea of designating Route 52 as an interstate highway dates to the early 1970s. What spurred this idea forward in Connecticut, however, was Rhode Island's cancellation of its portion of I-84 in 1982. Connecticut decided to still extend I-84 anyway, to end at Route 52 in Killingly. If Route 52 were another interstate highway, state officials reasoned that getting federal approval and funding for I-84 would be easier. In late 1982, Gov. William O'Neill asked the U.S. Transportation Secretary to consider an interstate designation. This was approved within a year, and it appeared the new number would be 290: a southern extension of I-290 in Massachusetts. If this took effect, Connecticut would join a handful of states where a 3-digit interstate enters but its 2-digit parent interstate does not. However, the resulting number, announced on June 28, 1983, was I-395 instead. The highway is continuous with I-290 in Massachusetts, and changes number at the I-90 interchange.
	"Interstate Status Urged for Route 52." Hartford Courant, Sep. 4, 1982. "State Ordered To Lift Ban on Tandem Trucks." Hartford Courant, June 14, 1983. Route Change Notice, ConnDOT, June 28, 1983.
	Route 52 Interstate 84 Interstate 395