Interstate 84

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Interstate 84 across Connecticut joins the cities of Danbury, Waterbury and Hartford along a heavily traveled route. Heading northeast from the capital city, I-84 travels through rural areas of Tolland, Willington and Union into Massachusetts south of Sturbridge. I-84, in conjunction with Interstate 81 south from Scranton, Pennsylvania, also constitutes long distance bypass route of New York City for freight traffic between the Mid Atlantic states and New England.

Interstate 84 Connecticut Guides

Interstate 384, a spur extending from East Hartford to Manchester and Bolton, was part of I-84 between 1971 and 1984.1 I-84 was rerouted in 1969 as part of a proposal for a freeway connecting Hartford with Providence, Rhode island via Willimantic. Built in 1970, the Willimantic Bypass was also signed as I-84. I-84 northeast along the Wilbur Cross Highway into Massachusetts was designated as Interstate 86.2

When the state of Rhode Island cancelled plans for I-84 due to environmental issues related to Scituate Reservoir, Connecticut followed suit. I-84 was relocated back onto what was I-86 in August 1983. I-384 was formally established along the Manchester Bypass in 1984 and U.S. 6 relocated onto the Willimantic Bypass.2

1969 map of Hartford, Connecticut

Interstate 84 incomplete through Hartford in 1969.

Interstate 84 scenes
Interstate 84 trailblazer posted at the Connecticut Welcome Center in Danbury. 08/19/21
Connecticut welcome sign at the I-84 rest area in Danbury. 08/19/21
The Connecticut Welcome Center falls between ramps joining Milestone Road and Old Ridgebury Road with Interstate 84. 08/19/21
The ramp leading to the Danbury Rest Area includes three access points. 08/19/21
Following the truck entrance to the Danbury Rest Area, the access ramp passes under Old Ridgebury Road before rejoining Interstate 84 eastbound. 08/19/21
Connecticut Route 70 commences east at the modified diamond interchange joining Interstate 84 with Waterbury Road (Route 801) in north Cheshire. 05/30/22
Sisson Avenue north at West Boulevard and the Route 503 freeway spur east to Interstate 84 at Exit 46 in Hartford. 05/31/22
Route 503 leads 0.68 miles east from West Boulevard at Sisson Avenue to a directional T interchange with Interstate 84. I-84 passes north of Downtown Hartford ahead of the exchange with I-91. 05/31/22
Interstate 84 travels southwest from Hartford to Waterbury and northeast to the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) west of Boston. 05/31/22
The high speed exchange joining Route 503 / West Boulevard) and I-84 was originally built for a planned freeway (Route 189) leading north to Bloomfield. 05/31/22
Pleasant Valley Road enters the town of Manchester east ahead of The Plaza at Buckland Hills and an entrance ramp to Interstate 84 west. 05/31/22
Trailblazers for Interstate 84 east direct traffic from Pleasant Valley Road east onto Buckland Street south. 05/31/22
Several shields for I-84 and I-384 posted in Manchester, including this assembly on Pleasant Valley Road, display the old abbreviation for Connecticut instead of the full state name. 05/31/22
Pleasant Valley Road connects Buckland Street and Buckland Hills Drive west from The Shoppes at Buckland Hills with Interstate 84 west. 05/31/22
Buckland Street continues south from Pleasant Valley Road to a diamond interchange (Exit 62) with Interstate 84. 05/31/22
The entrance ramp from Pleasant Valley Road to I-84 ties into a long distributor roadway running south to Interstate 384. 05/31/22
3.12 miles long, Pleasant Valley Road connects with I-84 just west of Buckland Street before turning northwest into the town of South Windsor. 05/31/22
Separating from I-84 at Exits 62/60, the distributor roadway Pleasant Valley Road connects with leads 2.71 west to Interstate 384. 05/31/22

Sources:
  1. Connecticut I-384. Kurumi.com
  2. Connecticut I-84. Kurumi.com


Photo Credits:

08/19/21, 05/30/22, 05/31/22 by AARoads

Connect with:
Interstate 91
Interstate 291
Interstate 384
Interstate 691
Route 72

Page Updated 03-10-2023.

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