Connecticut Route 34

2025-10-19T01:24:14Z

2601:183:4B82:710:CCE2:5C74:54F4:2547: /* Junction list */

{{Short description|State highway in Connecticut, US}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox road
| state = CT
| type = CT
| route = 34
|map={{maplink-road}}
|map_custom=yes
| map_notes = Map of southern Connecticut with Route 34 highlighted in red
| length_mi = 21.88
| length_round = 2
| length_ref = <ref name="CTDOT" /><ref name=":4" />
| established = 1932<ref name="1932renum">{{cite news |title=Road Conditions in Connecticut |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/41010161/ct_numbers_september_17_1932/ |accessdate=December 24, 2019 |work=[[Hartford Courant|The Hartford Daily Courant]] |date=September 17, 1932 |page=18|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>
| direction_a = West
| terminus_a = Washington Avenue in [[Newtown, Connecticut|Newtown]]
| junction = {{plainlist|
*{{Jct|state=CT|I|84|US|6}} in Newtown
*{{Jct|state=CT|Route|8}} in [[Derby, Connecticut|Derby]]
*{{Jct|state=CT|Route|15}} / [[Wilbur Cross Parkway]] in [[Orange, Connecticut|Orange]]
}}
| direction_b = East
| terminus_b = {{Jct|state=CT|Route|10}} in [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]]<ref name=":4" />
| counties = [[Fairfield County, Connecticut|Fairfield]], [[New Haven County, Connecticut|New Haven]]
| previous_type = Route
| previous_route = 33
| next_type = Route
| next_route = 35
}}
[[File:Stevenson Dam Lake Zoar.jpg|thumb|Stevenson Dam, which blocks the Housatonic River to form Lake Zoar, and that also functions as the State Route 34 bridge across the river]]
'''Route 34''' is a primary [[state highway]] in the U.S. state of [[Connecticut]]. Route 34 is {{convert|21.88|mi|km}} long, and extends from [[Newtown, Connecticut|Newtown]] near [[Interstate 84 in Connecticut|I-84]] to [[Connecticut Route 10|Route 10]] in [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=December 31, 2023 |title=Town Road Maps |url=https://portal.ct.gov/dot/pp_sysinfo/town-road-maps?language=en_US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907012358/https://portal.ct.gov/dot/pp_sysinfo/town-road-maps?language=en_US |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 7, 2024 |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=CT.gov |publisher=[[Connecticut Department of Transportation]] |page=092, City of New Haven |language=en}}</ref> The highways connects the New Haven and Danbury areas via the Lower Naugatuck River Valley. The portion of the route between New Haven and [[Derby, Connecticut|Derby]] was an early toll road known as the '''Derby Turnpike'''. It formerly ran through downtown New Haven on the [[Oak Street Connector]] until the early 2020s.

==Route description==
Route 34 begins as two-lane Berkshire Road in the [[Sandy Hook, Connecticut|Sandy Hook]] section of the town of [[Newtown, Connecticut|Newtown]], as a continuation of Washington Avenue. The road crosses under [[Interstate 84 in Connecticut|I-84]] after a tenth of a mile, then intersects after another {{convert|0.8|mi|km|abbr=on}} with Wasserman Way (SSR 490), which leads to ramps to/from [[Interstate 84 in Connecticut|I-84]] at Exit 11. The road then heads east towards the [[Stevenson, Connecticut|Stevenson]] section of the town of [[Monroe, Connecticut|Monroe]], where the road name changes to Roosevelt Drive at the town line. After intersecting [[Connecticut Route 111|Route 111]] (leading to Monroe center), Route 34 crosses the [[Housatonic River]] via the [[Stevenson Dam Bridge]] into the town of [[Oxford, Connecticut|Oxford]]. Route 34 then follows the east banks of the Housatonic River as it traverses the towns of Oxford and [[Seymour, Connecticut|Seymour]]. Route 34 soon enters the city of [[Derby, Connecticut|Derby]], where it becomes Main Street after the intersection with the Derby-Shelton Bridge ([[Connecticut Route 712|SR 712]]), which leads to [[Connecticut Route 110|Route 110]] in downtown [[Shelton, Connecticut|Shelton]]. In downtown Derby, Route 34 has a junction with [[Connecticut Route 8|Route 8]] at Exit 15 near the [[Derby – Shelton (Metro-North station)|Derby-Shelton]] train station.

Beyond this junction, Route 34 expands into a four-lane [[arterial road]], crossing over the [[Naugatuck River]]. It intersects [[Connecticut Route 115|Route 115]] (for [[Ansonia, Connecticut|Ansonia]] and Seymour center) right after the bridge then turns southward as New Haven Avenue as it continues towards the town of [[Orange, Connecticut|Orange]]. In Orange, the road becomes Derby Turnpike and has intersections with [[Connecticut Route 121|Route 121]] (for [[Milford, Connecticut|Milford]]) and [[Connecticut Route 152|Route 152]] for Orange center. Along the way, it also has a [[Cloverleaf interchange|cloverleaf]] junction with the [[Wilbur Cross Parkway]] (Exits 57-58). Route 34 soon enters the northern edge of [[West Haven, Connecticut|West Haven]], intersecting with [[Connecticut Route 122|Route 122]] (for [[Westville, Connecticut|Westville]] and West Haven center. Soon after, the road becomes a four-lane undivided road and crosses into [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]] where the road name changes to Derby Avenue, where it reaches its eastern terminus at [[Connecticut Route 10|Route 10]] (Ella Grasso Boulevard).

==History==
The '''Derby Turnpike Company''' was chartered to build a toll road from [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]] to [[Derby, Connecticut|Derby]] in May 1798. It ran from downtown New Haven, beginning at York Street, and followed Chapel Street to Derby Avenue, which connected to modern Route 34 and continued to downtown Derby. The Derby Turnpike was the longest-lived of the state's early toll roads and only stopped collecting tolls in 1895. West of downtown Derby, another turnpike corporation, the '''Ousatonic Turnpike''', was chartered also in 1795 to build a toll road between Derby and [[New Milford, Connecticut|New Milford]] following the east bank of the [[Housatonic River]]. Unlike the Derby Turnpike, the Ousatonic proved to be unprofitable. In 1813, the portion between [[Southbury, Connecticut|Southbury]] and New Milford was discontinued as a toll road. In 1834, the northern half of the remaining portion (north of the present Stevenson Dam) was given to another company, the River Turnpike Company, to try to make the road profitable. In 1841, however, the River Turnpike road reverted to the Ousatonic, and the Ousatonic company itself was dissolved the following year in 1842. The portion of the old Ousatonic road north of Stevenson Dam is now mostly submerged as a result of the damming of the Housatonic to form [[Lake Zoar]] and [[Lake Lillinonah]].

The state took over the road at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1922, when route numbers were first publicly signed in the New England region, the route from New Haven to the village of [[Sandy Hook, Connecticut|Sandy Hook]] was designated as '''State Highway 117'''. The road followed the Derby Turnpike and the remaining portion of the Ousatonic Turnpike to the village of [[Stevenson, Connecticut|Stevenson]], then the rest of modern Route 34 to Sandy Hook. In the [[1932 state highway renumbering (Connecticut)|1932 state highway renumbering]], old Highway 117 was renumbered to Route 34 with an additional westward extension to the city of [[Danbury, Connecticut|Danbury]].<ref name="1932renum" /> At the time, Route 34 overlapped with [[U.S. Route 6 in Connecticut|US 6]] into the borough of [[Newtown (borough), Connecticut|Newtown]], then used modern [[Connecticut Route 302|Route 302]] to [[Bethel, Connecticut|Bethel]] and modern [[Connecticut Route 53|Route 53]] to downtown Danbury. In 1935, [[U.S. Route 202 in Connecticut|US 202]] was established and used the original path of Route 34 between Danbury and Newtown. Route 34 was cut back to end at [[U.S. Route 6 in Connecticut|US 6]] in Sandy Hook.

The four-lane section in Derby, Orange, and West Haven was opened in 1940. In the 1940s, Route 34 ended at Sherman Avenue (former [[U.S. Route 5 in Connecticut|US 5]] and [[Connecticut Route 10|Route 10]]). The [[Oak Street Connector]] appeared in state highway plans in the mid-1950s and the present freeway opened in 1960. When the freeway opened, Route 34 was designated on it. Route 34 was assigned onto city streets (Chapel Street and George Street) to connect with the original eastern end. When North Frontage Road was completed, Route 34 was relocated onto it via an overlap with current Route 10.

===Highway removal===
In December 2008, the City of New Haven received nine proposals for design/engineering services for the planned boulevardization of the Downtown New Haven (limited access) section of Route 34.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://downtownnewhaven.blogspot.com/2008/12/proposals-are-in-for-route-34.html |title=Design New Haven: Proposals Are In for Route 34 Boulevardization |publisher=Downtownnewhaven.blogspot.com |date= |accessdate=2013-05-07}}</ref> Plans for redeveloping the highway's western section in New Haven (in a neighborhood also demolished for a limited access highway, but where the highway was never built) have undergone significant public discussion as part of the City of New Haven's MDP process for re-using the {{convert|36|acre|m2}} of empty land.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://downtownnewhaven.blogspot.com/2009/06/neighborhood-builds-hopeful-vision-for.html |title=Design New Haven: Neighborhood Builds Hopeful Vision for Route 34 West: Friday Meeting to Feature Harlem Community Development Expert |publisher=Downtownnewhaven.blogspot.com |date= |accessdate=2013-05-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/cityplan/Route34MDP.asp |title=Welcome to the New Haven City Plan Department |publisher=Cityofnewhaven.com |date= |accessdate=2013-05-07}}</ref>

In May 2013, phase one of the New Haven Downtown Crossing project began, intending to reroute Route 34 away from the freeway segment in New Haven onto widened frontage roads. The former highway right of way would be made available to development. Parking is planned beneath the new development to take advantage of the low grade of the former travel lanes. New bridges are also planned to reconnect streets disconnected by the highway, providing bike lanes and sidewalks, as well as pedestrian access to adjacent development. The project will extend from the reconstructed interchange with I-95/I-91 to the highway's terminus at exit 3.<ref>[http://downtowncrossingnewhaven.com/ "Route 34 New Haven Downtown Crossing"] The City of New Haven. Accessed June 4, 2013</ref>

In the early-2020s, Route 34 was undesignated from the former eastern terminus at I-95/I-91 to CT 10, removing its designation along the entire Oak Street Connector.<ref name=":4" />

=== Widening in Derby ===
Beginning in 2011, officials from Derby, the [[Naugatuck Valley Planning Region, Connecticut|Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments]] (NVCOG), and the state began preparations to widen a section of Route 34 in Derby from one lane in each direction to two, at an estimated cost of $10 million to $12 million.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2014-12-03 |title=Route 34 Widening Project To Be Discussed Thursday In Derby |url=https://valley.newhavenindependent.org/article/route_34_widening_project_to_be_discussed_thursday_in_derby |access-date=2023-06-25 |website=[[Valley Independent Sentinel]] |language=en}}</ref> The proposal also entailed the demolition of several properties along the road.<ref name=":0" /> In March 2019, officials demolished four formerly commercial buildings along Route 34 to make room for the widening.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Mayko |first=Michael |date=2019-03-08 |title=Derby Pols: Demolition of 4 buildings signals rebirth of city prosperity |url=https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Derby-Pols-Demolition-of-4-buildings-signals-13674691.php |access-date=2023-06-25 |website=[[Connecticut Post]] |language=en-US}}</ref> The project suffered a long delayed start date, and near doubling in projected costs, drawing the ire of some local residents.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Driscoll |first=Eugene |date=2020-07-22 |title=Route 34 Construction Start Date Remains As Complicated As Ever |url=https://valley.newhavenindependent.org/article/route_34_construction_start_date_remains_as_complicated_as_ever |access-date=2023-06-25 |website=[[Valley Independent Sentinel]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Martinez |first=Eddy |date=2022-09-10 |title=Derby to receive $5 million in federal funds for Route 34 widening |url=https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Derby-to-receive-5-million-in-federal-funds-for-17431575.php |access-date=2023-06-25 |website=[[Connecticut Post]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2022-01-14 |title=Derby Route 34-Main Street Reconstruction Project Update |url=https://nvcogct.gov/derby-main-street-reconstruction-project-update/ |access-date=2023-06-25 |publisher=[[Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Construction finally began on the project in early 2022.<ref name=":2" /> Per an announcement by NVCOG in January 2022, construction is estimated to last about 700 days.<ref name=":3" /> As of April 2023, the project is still underway.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Driscoll |first=Eugene |date=2023-04-05 |title=Derby Parking Garage Grant Application Rejected, City Fumbles Info Request, Cameras Improve Safety |url=https://valley.newhavenindependent.org/article/derby_parking_garage_grant_application_rejected_city_fumbles_info_request_cameras_improve_safety |access-date=2023-06-25 |website=[[Valley Independent Sentinel]] |language=en}}</ref>

==Junction list==
{{jcttop|state=CT|length_ref=<ref name="CTDOT">{{cite web |url=http://www.ct.gov/dot/LIB/dot/Documents/dpolicy/hwylog/hwylog.pdf |title=Highway Log |last=Connecticut Department of Transportation |author-link=Connecticut Department of Transportation |date=December 31, 2009 |accessdate=June 10, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905063334/http://www.ct.gov/dot/LIB/dot/Documents/dpolicy/hwylog/hwylog.pdf |archivedate=September 5, 2015 }}</ref>}}
{{CTint
|county=Fairfield
|cspan=3
|location=Newtown
|lspan=2
|mile=0.00
|road=Washington Avenue
|notes=Continuation west
}}
{{CTint
|mile=0.79
|road={{Jct|state=CT|I|84|name1={{jct|state=CT|US|6|noshield1=yes}}|to2=yes|CT|25|city1=Danbury|city2=Waterbury}}
|notes=Access via [[Special Service Road 490|SSR 490]]; exit 16 on I-84
}}
{{CTint
|location=Monroe
|mile=5.81
|road={{Jct|state=CT|CT|111|name1=Monroe Turnpike|dir1=South|city1=Monroe|city2=Bridgeport|city3=Stevenson}}
|notes=Northern terminus of Route 111
}}
{{jctbridge
|river=[[Housatonic River]]
|mile=6.93
|mile2=7.11
|bridge=[[Stevenson Dam Bridge]]
}}
{{CTint
|county=New Haven
|cspan=10
|location=Seymour
|mile=9.52
|road={{Jct|state=CT|CT|188|dir1=North|name1=Squantuck Road|city1=Quaker Farms}}
|notes=Southern terminus of Route 188
}}
{{CTint
|location=Derby
|lspan=3
|mile=14.08
|road={{Jctname|state=CT|SR|712|name1=[[Derby-Shelton Bridge]]|dir1=west|CT|110|to2=yes|city1=Shelton}}
}}
{{CTint
|mile=14.25
|road={{Jct|state=CT|CT|8|city1=Bridgeport|city2=Waterbury}}
|notes=Exit 12B on Route 8
}}
{{CTint
|mile=14.75
|road={{Jct|state=CT|CT|115|name1=Derby Avenue|dir1=North|city1=Ansonia}}
|notes=Southern terminus of Route 115
}}
{{CTint
|location=Orange
|lspan=4
|mile=16.58
|road={{Jct|state=CT|CT|121|dir1=South|name1=Grassy Hill Road|city1=Milford}}
|notes=Northern terminus of Route 121
}}
{{CTint
|mile=17.36
|road={{Jct|state=CT|CT|15|name1=[[Wilbur Cross Parkway]]|location1=[[New York City]]|city2=New Haven}}
|notes=[[Cloverleaf interchange]]; exits 42A and 42B on Wilbur Cross Parkway
}}
{{CTint
|mile=17.86
|road={{Jct|state=CT|CT|152|dir1=south|name1=Orange Center Road|city1=Orange}}
|notes=Northern terminus of Route 152
}}
{{CTint
|mile=18.38
|road={{Jct|state=CT|CT|114|name1=Racebrook Road|city1=Woodbridge|city2=Orange}}
}}
{{CTint
|location=West Haven
|mile=21.02
|road={{Jct|state=CT|CT|122|name1=Forest Road|city1=Westville|city2=Allingtown}}
}}
{{CTint
|location=New Haven
|lspan=1
|mile=21.88
|road={{Jct|state=CT|CT|10|name1=Ella T. Grasso Boulevard|city1=Hamden|location2=[[City Point, New Haven|City Point]]}}
|notes=Eastern terminus
}}
{{jctbtm|exit|keys=concur,incomplete,closed}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Connecticut}}
* [[Oak Street Connector]] — the freeway segment of Route 34 in New Haven

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Attached KML|display=inline,title}}
{{commons category-inline}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110927215816/http://www.ct.gov/dot/LIB/dot/Documents/dpolicy/hwylog/hwylog.pdf Connecticut State Highway Log, 2006]
*[http://www.kurumi.com/roads/ct/ct34.html kurumi.com - Route 34]

[[Category:State highways in Connecticut|034]]
[[Category:Transportation in New Haven County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Transportation in Fairfield County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Transportation in New Haven, Connecticut]]
[[Category:U.S. Route 202]]

Vero - Wikipedia - User contributions [en]

Connecticut Route 34