Route 161 serves three town centers in southern Connecticut: Niantic; Flanders; and Chesterfield. It's two lanes wide, except for a four-lane section from Industrial Park Road, through the I-95 interchange, to US 1.
Updated Sept 22, 2024
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In the 1920s, State Highway 161 followed what is now Route 302, between Route 58 and the Newtown Turnpike.
The modern Route 161 was commissioned in 1932, originally between US 1 and Route 85 only. It was extended south around 1940.
In 1965, the state proposed relocating a small portion of Route 161 near E. Pattagansett Road to eliminate a dangerous curve. This was done sometime later, but I don't know when.
In October 1972, Route 11 opened between Route 2 in Colchester and Route 82 in Salem, but funding problems prevented further construction that would complete it to I-95. There was a planned interchange at Route 161 in Chesterfield.
As ConnDOT explored how to keep Route 11 moving, one of the options was to extend it to Route 161. East Lyme officials were concerned this would funnel Route 11 traffic onto the two-lane Route 161 toward I-95. However, this was one of a few options (and the Route 11 controversy continues to this day), and Route 161 has not been marshalled in this cause.
Route 11's primary cause for completion is to relieve traffic hazards and congestion on parallel Route 85. It's unlikely any partial Route 11 extension, which would not completely solve the problem, would be approved.
In 2022, CTDOT held a public meeting to propose improvements to Route 85 including a new roundabout with Route 161:
The proposed work also includes the relocation of the Route 161 intersection from its present location to approximately 1,200 feet southerly to align opposite Deer Run. The new intersection of Route 85, Route 161 and Deer Run is proposed to be a single lane roundabout. The existing intersection of Route 85 at Grassy Hill Road and Chesterfield Road will be expanded to incorporate improved turning radii, auxiliary turning lanes, and a new traffic signal.
According to ZZYZX, the best Dr. Pepper in the world can be found on a Route 161 store just off I-95. As the 1970s state tourism slogan goes: "So Much, So Near."