The US-6 Windham Expressway is a 6.2 mile limited access freeway in eastern Connecticut that serves as a bypass of Columbia, Mansfield and Windham. It appears to be a rather grandiose bypass of these small towns but it this stretch of freeway was originally planned for bigger things. Originally it was supposed to be part of the I-84 mainline as it ran from Hartford to Providence. As with many planned interstates, community opposition and environmental concerns killed the section of freeway in Rhode Island and much of the route in Connecticut was canceled as well. I-84 was re-assigned to the Wilbur Cross Expressway going to meet up with the Mass Pike in Sturbridge, MA. The portion of freeway south of Manchester to Bolton's Notch was re-designated I-384 with the orphaned freeway in Windham was just assigned with US 6. I'd love to see pictures of the Windham Expressway when it was signed as I-84. For more information about the Hartford-Providence freeway saga, check out Kurumi's page about this.
US 6/Windham Expressway Westbound
First reassurance shield for westbound US 6 on the expressway. The first exit of the two on the mainline is for CT 195. Photo taken by John Boren (12/23/07).
The first westbound exit. Take this exit for the University of Connecticut as well as Eastern Connecticut State University. The sign should actually read "To CT 195" because the exit ramp takes you to a frontage road, unsigned CT 634. At this point the freeway has crossed the Mansfield town line and is riding on the border of it and Windham. Photo taken by John Boren (12/23/07).
The next exit is for CT 32. South on Rt 32 immediately leads to the Willimantic CDP that lies within Windham and north to Stafford Springs. Photo taken by John Boren (12/23/07).
Exit for CT 32. At this point the westbound and eastbound lanes have been separated by a wide forested median; the lanes draw closer to each other briefly before they go particularly wide due to geographic constraints. Photo taken by John Boren (12/23/07).
The on ramp from CT 32 doubles as a slow vehicle lane. Photo taken by John Boren (12/23/07).
First indication of the expressway ending. The westbound lanes which had more or less gone straight thus far are forced to curve to to the rocky formation ahead. Photo taken by John Boren (12/23/07).
The road curves to the left now for the final stretch of the expressway. The speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph for the curves as well as the traffic light at the end of the expressway. Photo taken by John Boren (12/23/07).
More signs notifying motorists that the expressway is ending. At this point the signalized intersection can be seen. Photo taken by John Boren (12/23/07).
The expressway transitions into a two lane highway, CT 66, at the intersection. Most traffic takes the right hand cut-off to continue on US 6 towards Hartford. Photo taken by John Boren (12/23/07).
Final gore point. CT 66 from this intersection east to its meeting of US 6 again in North Windham was the former alignment of US 6. 11 slow miles are ahead on US 6 until motorists meet up with I-384 at Bolton's Notch. Photo taken by John Boren (12/23/07).
