Connecticut Route 72 runs 20.05 miles southeast from Harwinton to New Britain in the Hartford metropolitan area. Initially rural, Route 72 heads south from Route 4 by Bristol Reservoir Number 4 into the town of Plymouth. Continuing south into Terryville, Route 72 meets U.S. 6 ahead of Pequabuck.
Turning east, Route 72 enters the city of Bristol along Terryville Road. Following Park Street, the state route continues past Rockwell Park onto School Street through Downtown. Shifting south of the Pequabuck River, Route 72 expands to a controlled access expressway along Bartlett Barnes Highway. The expressway upgrades to a freeway east beyond Camp Street in the town of Plainville.
The freeway along Route 72 (Bartlett Barnes Highway) ties into Interstate 84 at a three-wye interchange adjacent to Connecticut Commons shopping center. I-84/Route 72 overlap for 0.55 miles to the city of Britain. I-84 turns north while Route 72 continue east along a freeway extending 3.20 miles to the freeway along Route 9 by the New Britain city center.
East
Route 72 advances one mile east from the directional T interchange with Interstate 84 to meet Route 372 (Corbin Avenue) at Exit 7.
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The remainder of the freeway along Route 72 east falls within the city of New Britain.
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Route 372 branches southeast from parallel Main Street along Corbin Avenue to Berlin.
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Route 372 follows the former alignment of Route 72 southeast 15.12 miles from the Bristol / Plainville town line to Route 99 in Cromwell.
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Route 72 concludes at an unnumbered three-wye interchange 1.25 miles beyond the W Main Street (Route 555) underpass.
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Exit 8 leaves Route 72 east for parallel Columbus Boulevard at Lake Street just outside Downtown New Britain.
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Route 9 constitutes a commuter freeway north to I-84 in Farmington and south to I-91 at Cromwell. The northernmost section of Route 9 was originally part of the proposed beltway for Interstate 291.
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Route 72 passes below a lid supporting the Springfield Terminal Railroad.
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A two lane flyovers links Route 72 east with Route 9 north to Newington.
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Route 9 continues south from Route 72 to Kensington and Berlin.
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An end sign for Route 72 stands along the ramp to Route 9 southbound.
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Photo Credits:
08/19/21 by AARoads
Connect with:
Interstate 84
Page Updated 03-06-2023.