The overhead sign with the control cities of Manchester and Hartford is the first indication that Interstate 384 has begun. U.S. 6 and U.S. 44 briefly share a four lane expressway before both exiting as the road continues on as Interstate 384. Note that there is no exit number for U.S. 6 and 44 west to Bolton. Photo taken 12/06/08.
Initial reassurance shield for Interstate 384. This sign has the state name above the interstate number, which occurs sporadically on this route. Photo taken 12/30/07.
10 miles for East Hartford and 11 for Hartford. The only mileage sign on I-384 in either direction and one of the few mileage signs on any interstate in Connecticut. Photo taken 12/30/07.
The highway grows to three travel lanes as motorists entering from Connecticut 85 (Bolton Center Road) get their own lane and aren't forced to merge. Photo taken 12/30/07.
Entering Manchester from Bolton. The bulk of the exits of Interstate 384 serve Manchester prior to it merging with its parent route, Interstate 84, in East Hartford. Photo taken 12/30/07.
Exit 4 for Highland Street, the first numbered exit westbound. Photos taken 12/07/08, 12/06/08.
Exit 4 for Highland Street. This street runs parallel to Interstate 384. Photo taken 12/07/08.
Exit 3 for Connecticut 83 to Downtown Manchester and Glastonbury approaches. The use of arching gantries is new in Connecticut and has become the standard when replacing old ones. Photos taken 12/04/08 and 12/06/08.
First sign of the entrance to the restricted HOV lane to Silver Lane and Downtown Hartford. Exit 3 serves interests to the historic downtown of Manchester, Manchester Memorial Hospital and the Manchester Country Club. Photo taken 12/04/08.
Between these two signs, oncoming traffic from exit 3 receive their own lane, bringing the mainline up to 4 lanes. Photos taken 12/07/08, 12/06/08.
Exit 2 for Keeney Street and Hartford Road. Photo taken 12/30/07.
Interstate 384 ends at Interstate 84, but this isn't made clear by the signs. In fact, the middle overhead sign should read "I-384 TO I-84 Hartford", or at least "TO I-84 Hartford", because as it is signed, it appears that motorists are suddenly on Interstate 84. The left lane peels off from the mainline to become separate HOV lane in 1/2 mile. At one point in time, three people were required to use the HOV lane; now only two are required. Photo taken 12/06/08.
The left lane has now separated from the mainline and serves as an HOV lane that was intended for commuters exiting onto Silver Lane in East Harford as well as to downtown Harford. As before, the overhead signs seem to refer to the road now as Interstate 84, even though the merge with Interstate 84 has not yet occurred. The right lane is an exit only lane going towards Interstate 84 east to Boston and to Interstate 291 to Windsor. This lane enters a complicated collector/distributor system prior to actually depositing motorists onto either of those interstates. Exit 1 for Silver Lane and Spencer Street is the last exit on Interstate 384, with Silver Lane being an east-west arterial road in East Hartford, and with Spencer Street serving a small commercial district in Manchester. Photo taken 12/06/08.
The exit only lane for Interstate 84 and Interstate 291 peels away from the remaining two travel lanes. At this point, the last two lanes serve as a long onramp for Interstate 84 west towards Hartford. There is no signage or indication that Interstate 384 has ended which is common practice in Connecticut. Photo taken 12/07/08.
