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Route History for US 1 in Connecticut

• In 1926, US 1 was marked as NE 1. NE 1 was paved in Connecticut, and followed nearly the same path as US 1 follows today. One exception is in East Haven, where NE 1 followed West Main Street and Main Street.
• By 1928, NE 1 had been renumbered as US 1.
• Between 1950 and 1963, I 95 was completed from Groton to the New York state line. Once I 95 was completed, it replaced US 1 as a major through route.
• By 1969, I 95 was completed from the Rhode Island state line to the New York state line, completely replacing US 1 as a major through route in Connecticut. During this time, US 1 was realigned to follow the new I 95 highway from Groton to Old Saybrook. By 1976, however, US 1 was realigned again back to the original 2 lane road between New London and Old Lyme.

Key to Abbreviations for Route Numbers:

• US - US Highway
• I - Interstate Highway (Eisenhower Interstate System)
• NE - New England Interstate Highway (Pre-dates US highway system)

External websites of interest:

• A large amount of historical information about US 1 in Connecticut is available at Connecticut US 1, 1A.
• Some photos of current and former alignments of US 1 in Connecticut are available at Connecticut Roads - US 1, and Connecticut Roads - US 1 - Old Bridge.

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