Connecticut Route 16

Length 17.05 miles
From Route 66 in East Hampton
To Route 207 in Lebanon

Screenshot of 1981 arcade game "Route 16", courtesy of www.mame.net

One of three surviving covered bridges in Connecticut -- the Comstock Bridge -- stands along an old alignment of the road that later became Route 16. It's on the Salmon River at the East Hampton - Colchester town line, is open to the public (walkers only), and is easily accessible from Route 16.

We're not exactly sure which Comstock the bridge is named after; but it's likely not this one.

"Route 16" is the title of a 1981 arcade game (see screenshot). I have to say I can't see the resemblance.

CT 16 History

Commissioned in 1933 or 1934, slightly after the Great Renumbering, Route 16 picked up some miles from the old Route 171. Colchester Avenue from Main Street in East Hampton to Waterhole Road was part of Route 171. Route 16's original length was 12.03 miles, from Route 66 in East Hampton to Route 85 in Colchester.

The segment from the East Hampton town line heading toward Colchester center was called the "Comstock - Colchester Trunk Line", under construction in 1934.

The portion of today's Route 16 east of Route 85 was added as a state road – SR 679 – in 1949. In 1960, SR 679 was renumbered to SR 658.

On March 29, 1963, Route 16 was extended over SR 658 to Lebanon.

CT 16 Sources

Connecticut State Highway Department. The functional classification of all public roads, State of Connecticut : an engineering report to the Governor & the General Assembly / by the Committee to Reclassify All Public Roads ; with the cooperation of the State Highway Commissioner & the assistance of Edwards & Kelcey.
"Road conditions, detours." The Day [New London, Conn.], Aug. 30, 1934.
"State Highway Dept. will change route numbers in several towns." The Day [New London, Conn.], Feb. 28, 1963.
Connecticut Department of Transportation. "Route change table.xls". Microsoft Excel spreadsheet file, received April 4, 2008.

CT 16 Links

Comstock Covered Bridge (CT Museum Quest, an excellent site)
Connecticut Covered Bridges - Comstock Bridge
CT 16 photos (Doug Kerr)
CT 16 photos (Steve Alpert)
CT 16 photos (David Golub)