Interstate 395 (Connecticut–Rhode Island)

Interstate 395 (Connecticut–Rhode Island) is an Interstate Highway running from U.S. Route 1 near Gales Ferry through Groton, Norwich, Plainfield, Putnam, and Pawtucket to meet I‑95 near Providence via a connection to I‑295. The highway serves as a regional north–south artery linking Southeastern Connecticut, Northeastern Connecticut, and Northern Rhode Island, and connects to major corridors including I‑395 (MA), U.S. Route 6, and Route 12. The route supports commuter, freight, and intercity travel for users from United States Navy facilities, academic institutions such as University of Connecticut, and manufacturing centers in Worcester County and Providence County.

Route description

Interstate 395 begins at a junction with U.S. Route 1 near Gales Ferry and proceeds north through Groton, offering access to Submarine Base New London, naval facilities, and Route 12 near Norwich, while paralleling the Thames River. The roadway continues through New London County into Windham County, intersecting U.S. 6, Route 12, and providing access to Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino via connector routes near Uncasville and Montville. North of Plainfield, the highway moves toward Putnam and crosses into Rhode Island, where it provides access to Pawtucket and the industrial districts that historically supplied textiles to Rhode Island Manufacturers. The northern terminus connects with I‑95 and the I‑295 corridor, linking travelers to Providence, Boston, and New Haven.

History

Planning for a high‑capacity north–south route through southeastern New England began with proposals in the post‑war era influenced by the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 and regional plans from agencies such as the Connecticut Department of Transportation and Rhode Island Department of Transportation. Early alignments followed existing corridors used by U.S. 1 and U.S. 6 with adjustments to serve population centers like Norwich and Pawtucket. Construction phases in the 1960s and 1970s involved contracts awarded to regional contractors experienced on projects tied to I‑95 and Route 12 improvements, with environmental reviews influenced by precedents from Scenic Hudson Preservation Conference v. Federal Power Commission and policies from EPA. The Interstate received the I‑395 designation as developments connected with I‑290 and I‑495 plans evolved, and major segments opened through the 1970s and early 1980s, culminating in full connectivity to I‑95 by the mid‑1980s. Subsequent upgrades targeted bridge replacements influenced by engineering standards from the AASHTO and safety improvements following guidance from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Exit list

The exit list for I‑395 follows sequential mileposts and includes connections to federal and state highways. Major interchanges include junctions with U.S. 1 at the southern terminus near Groton, an interchange with Route 32 and Route 12 near Norwich, access to U.S. 6 serving Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino, and northern interchanges with I‑95 and I‑295 near Providence and Pawtucket. Auxiliary ramps and collector‑distributor lanes provide movements to Route 2 and local arterials serving Plainfield and Putnam, with signage conforming to standards from the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Freight access points support connections to regional rail, including lines operated by Amtrak and freight carriers serving the Port of Providence.

Tolling and service facilities

I‑395 itself is not tolled along its Connecticut and Rhode Island sections, reflecting policy choices distinct from Merritt Parkway, Connecticut Turnpike, and tolled corridors administered by the Connecticut Turnpike Commission. Service facilities along I‑395 include rest areas and park‑and‑ride lots coordinated by the Connecticut Department of Transportation and Rhode Island Department of Transportation, and commercial service plazas near major interchanges offering fuel, dining, and lodging options affiliated with national chains such as Interstate Hotels & Resorts partners and regional operators. Emergency response and maintenance are coordinated with Connecticut State Police, Rhode Island State Police, and local municipal public works departments, while traveler information leverages systems developed by the Federal Highway Administration and regional metropolitan planning organizations like the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments.

Future developments and improvements

Planned improvements for I‑395 emphasize lane continuity, bridge rehabilitation, interchange modernizations, and safety upgrades consistent with recommendations from AASHTO and the Federal Highway Administration. Projects under consideration include capacity improvements near Norwich to enhance access to Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino, modernization of northern termini to improve movements to I‑95 and I‑295, and implementation of intelligent transportation systems modeled after deployments on I‑95 and Route 3. Funding for upgrades may derive from federal programs administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, state bond issues overseen by the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management, and regional initiatives coordinated with planning bodies such as the Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency and Rhode Island Metropolitan Planning Organization. Future multimodal integration could connect park‑and‑ride facilities to services by CTtransit, RIPTA, and private intercity carriers serving Providence, Worcester, and New London.

Category:Interstate Highways in Connecticut Category:Interstate Highways in Rhode Island