Interstate 291 represents the northeastern leg of the Hartford Beltway system in central Connecticut. The short freeway entails the Bissell Bridge between Windsor and East Windsor across the Connecticut River. Interstate 291 provides a bypass route of Hartford between Interstates 84 & 384 at Manchester to Interstate 91 at Windsor.
The Hartford Beltway was a grandiose plan to encircle the Connecticut Capital City with a loop freeway. Interstate 291 was to comprise three quarters of the route between Interstate 84 east of the city and Interstate 91 south of the city. However as the fates would have it, only the northeastern portion of the bypass route was ever constructed. Interstate 291 west of Interstate 91 was cancelled due to community opposition, and Interstate 491, the southeastern leg of the beltway, also met the same fate.
Interstate 291 East
A look at the first eastbound reassurance marker of Interstate 291. The freeways begins at the junction with Interstate 91 and Connecticut 218 (Putnam Highway) within the city of Windsor. From there Interstate 291 heads east over Connecticut 159 (Windsor Avenue). Photo taken 08/09/04.
A half-diamond interchange joins Connecticut 159 (Windsor Avenue) with Interstate 291 just west of the Connecticut River. A second reassurance shield resides between the Windsor Avenue on-ramp and the Bissell Bridge. Photo taken 08/09/04.
Interstate 291 eastbound crosses the Connecticut River between the cities of Windsor and East Windsor. U.S. 5 (John Fitch Boulevard) meets the freeway at Exit 4 and Connecticut 30 (Ellington Road). The federal highway travels north along Main Street in East Hartford to Ellington Road and John Fitch Boulevard in East Windsor. Photo taken 08/09/04.
One half mile west of the folded-diamond interchange with U.S. 5 (Exit 4) on Interstate 291 east. U.S. 5 and Interstate 91 commingle throughout their respective routings between New Haven and Derby Line, Vermont. In the Hartford area, U.S. 5 crosses the Charter Oak Bridge south of Downtown to East Hartford and junction U.S. 44 (Tolland Street). Photo taken 08/09/04.
Traffic to U.S. 5 (John Fitch Boulevard) leaves Interstate 291 east at Exit 4. U.S. 5 and Connecticut 30 (Ellington Road) split just south of their interchange. Connecticut 30 arcs east to South Windsor and junction Interstate 84 at Exit 63. From there the state highway continues northeast to Vernon and West Stafford. U.S. 5 meanwhile progress northward to East Windsor Hill and Warehouse Point. Photo taken 08/09/04.
Continuing eastbound along Interstate 291 between U.S. 5 (Exit 4) and Tolland Turnpike (Exit 5). Interstate 291 crosses into the Manchester city limits ahead of Exit 5 and the eastern terminus. Photo taken 08/09/04.
Nearing the half-diamond interchange with Tolland Turnpike (Exit 5) on Interstate 291 east. Tolland Turnpike continues Tolland Street east from East Hartford to Manchester. The surface road passes Buckland Hills Mall en route to Main Street east of Interstate 291. Photo taken 08/09/04.
Interstate 291 ends its final mile near the Burnham Street over crossing. The freeway ends at Interstate 84 two exits north of Interstate 384. Tolland Turnpike meanwhile ties into Interstate 291 in one half mile near Wickham Park and Buckland. Photo taken 08/09/04.
Drivers bound for Tolland Turnpike depart Interstate 291 east at the Batson Drive overpass. The southbound on-ramp meets Tolland Turnpike just west of the intersection with Chapel Road. Chapel Road stems north from Tolland Turnpike along Interstate 291 west to Burnham Street, Long Hill Road, and Connecticut 30 (Ellington Road). The westbound on-ramp from Tolland Turnpike departs from Chapel Road. Photo taken 08/09/04.
Interstate 291 eastbound partitions into ramps for Interstate 84 just south of the Tolland Turnpike under crossing. Interstate 84 westbound meets Interstate 384 (Exit 59) just southwest of Interstate 291. Interstate 384 comprises an 11-mile freeway through Manchester to Bolton Notch. The freeway spur was originally intended to carry Interstate 84 east on its planned route between Hartford and Providence, Rhode Island. Photo taken 08/09/04.
A set of reflectorized overheads lies ahead of the Interstate 291 ramp split for Interstate 84 east and west. Interstate 84 follows the Wilbur Cross Highway northeast from Hartford to Sturbridge, Massachusetts. From the end at Interstate 90, travelers can continue east along the Massachusetts Turnpike to the city of Boston. Photo taken 08/09/04.
Interstate 84 & 384 shield assembly posted at the Interstate 291 eastern terminus. A tri-level stack interchange joins the two freeways to the west of downtown Manchester. Drivers using the westbound ramp can also access Spencer Street in addition to Interstate 384 east. Photo taken 07/24/00.
Continuing along the westbound Interstate 84 off-ramp from Interstate 291 east at the split with the ramp to Interstate 384 east. Traffic from U.S. 44 (Middle Turnpike) merges onto the westbound ramp before traffic joins the Interstate 84 mainline. Interstate 84 west reaches downtown East Hartford in 4.4 miles and downtown Hartford in 5.4 miles. Photo taken 07/24/00.
Interstate 291 West
No Photos at this time.
Scenes Pertaining to Interstate 291
Junction Interstate 291 Connecticut shield from U.S. 5 north (John Fitch Boulevard). The federal highway splits with Connecticut 30 (Ellington Road) just south of the folded-diamond interchange with Interstate 291 (Exit 5). Connecticut MUTCD allows for both state-named and neutered shields throughout the Constitution State. Photo taken 07/24/00.
Button copy signage for Interstate 291 from U.S. 5 North (Exit 4 interchange). Note lack of control city for westbound Interstate 291. This may have displayed Waterbury, had I-291 been completed to original specifications. Photo taken 07/24/00.
