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A small bit of trivia for this arterial route: there's a "big green sign" for it on the Berlin Turnpike, but not on I-84, where the guide signs simply say "South Main St". At the end of the exit ramps, however, you will find Route 173 markers.
Willard Avenue, a large part of Route 173, became Newington's first highway in 1686.
Commissioned in 1932, Route 173 was originally a 4.8-mile route from Cedar Street (Route 175) in Newington to Farmington Avenue (formerly Route 4, and earlier US 6) in West Hartford:
In 1935, Route 173 was extended south to the Berlin Turnpike, for a length of 7.47 miles.
In 1962, the Quaker Lane section was turned over to local maintenance. The state's intent was to redesignate Route 173 to follow Willard Avenue, West Hill Road, and South Main Street into West Hartford to end at Farmington Avenue, but that extension never took place.
In 1969, US 6 was moved from New Britain Avenue to an overlap with I-84. Route 173 was extended west and north to meet I-84 at Exit 41; Route 71 was also extended east along former US 6 to end at Route 173.