Connecticut Route 97

Commissioned in 1932, Route 97 originally followed this alignment, starting in the south:

The "stairstep" section of Route 97 north of US 44 in Pomfret was called Route 201. The remainder of today's Route 97 in Pomfret and Hampton was not originally numbered.

In 1934, Route 97 was rerouted straight north from Hampton, crossing the old Route 101 (now US 44), absorbing the "stairstep" Route 201, and ending at old Route 93 (now Route 169).

In the 1960s and '70s, an eastern alignment of Interstate 84 was planned through Hampton en route to Providence. If this had been built, Route 97 would have been widened near the proposed interchange at the Hampton - Scotland town line.

Facing north on Route 97 in downtown Hampton, Conn. Just a few buildings make up the center of this quiet town. Light traffic allows the "stand in the middle of the road" view here. Photo taken Sept. 2002 by Kurumi.

Scenic Road in Pomfret

In January 2001, a segment from the Hampton town line to Route 169 in Pomfret was submitted to the state's Scenic Road Advisory Committee. In April 2001, the commission determined that the portion south of US 44 did not provide a "continuous representation of the character or the criteria of a scenic roadway"; in other words, that part of Route 97 wasn't very scenic.

However, the 4.5-mile portion from US 44 to US 44/Route 169 (the aforementioned "stairstep" section) was approved as a scenic road on April 27, 2001. This designation helps protect the road from state modifications that might mar the scenery.

	29.14 miles; from Route 12 in Norwich to US 44 in Pomfret. Route 97 actually intersects US 44 twice.
	Commissioned in 1932, Route 97 originally followed this alignment, starting in the south: Today's Route 97, from Route 12 into Chaplin Station Road and Morey Road from Hampton Center to today's Route 198 in Chaplin The "stairstep" section of Route 97 north of US 44 in Pomfret was called Route 201. The remainder of today's Route 97 in Pomfret and Hampton was not originally numbered. In 1934, Route 97 was rerouted straight north from Hampton, crossing the old Route 101 (now US 44), absorbing the "stairstep" Route 201, and ending at old Route 93 (now Route 169). In the 1960s and '70s, an eastern alignment of Interstate 84 was planned through Hampton en route to Providence. If this had been built, Route 97 would have been widened near the proposed interchange at the Hampton - Scotland town line. Facing north on Route 97 in downtown Hampton, Conn. Just a few buildings make up the center of this quiet town. Light traffic allows the "stand in the middle of the road" view here. Photo taken Sept. 2002 by Kurumi. Scenic Road in Pomfret In January 2001, a segment from the Hampton town line to Route 169 in Pomfret was submitted to the state's Scenic Road Advisory Committee. In April 2001, the commission determined that the portion south of US 44 did not provide a "continuous representation of the character or the criteria of a scenic roadway"; in other words, that part of Route 97 wasn't very scenic. However, the 4.5-mile portion from US 44 to US 44/Route 169 (the aforementioned "stairstep" section) was approved as a scenic road on April 27, 2001. This designation helps protect the road from state modifications that might mar the scenery.
	Reportedly there is/was a plan to widen Routes 12 and 97 to form a continuous four-lane connection between I-395 near Taftville and I-95 in Groton. Although Route 97 does not need the large-scale widening planned in conjunction with I-84 to Providence, the road is quite narrow (18 to 20 feet) in northern Scotland and was planned to be reconstructed in 2002 to make it safer.
	"Indeed, one of Pomfret's biggest challenges is its confounding road system--there may be no place in Connecticut where route numbers take this many tangled turns. Signs everywhere declare you are either entering Pomfret, leaving Pomfret or getting on one of three roads, Route 44, 169, or 97. The best tactic is to ignore all these signs and simply give yourself a half hour to become acquainted with the roads." -- "Getting Lost in Pomfret", Hartford Advocate, Oct. 21, 1999
	"Route 97 in Pomfret being considered as scenic highway.", Press Release, ConnDOT, Jan. 22, 2001. "Scenic road status sought for Route 97.", Norwich [Conn.] Bulletin, Jan. 29, 2001. "Section of Route 97 in Pomfret designated as scenic road." Press Release, ConnDOT, April 27, 2001. "Regional Transportation Plan for the Windham Region / 2001 Update." Windham Regional Council of Governments, August 29, 2001. "Change roads, put Norwich on map." Letter to editor, Norwich [Conn.] Bulletin, Feb. 11, 2002.
	Route 97 Ends (Photos; Doug Kerr at state-ends.com)