[7express]

Originally Posted by mikeandaija2009

Just wondering if anyone out there lives in a CT border town and makes a commute to Providence. Of course looking at maps online shows towns like Thomaston or North Stonington, only a short distance "as the crow flies". Wanted to get some feedback by someone who actually drives there. Thanks!

I've only done it a couple times, and all times during rush hour, but from Griswold to Providence only took like 25 minutes on route 6.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by willow wind

No, Jay- you misread my post. I was not giving times from Stonington but from North Stonington- a different town and the entry/exit I noted is far further up 1-95 than Stonington.

The OP asked specifically about North Stonington. I do that drive frequently and my time estimate is about how long it takes. Obviously how far you have to drive once into Providence can vary.

It is still over 40 miles. I can't imagine it taking under an hour in traffic. Jay

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by 7express

I've only done it a couple times, and all times during rush hour, but from Griswold to Providence only took like 25 minutes on route 6.

Griswold is over 40 miles from Providence. I am not sure how anyone can do that in 25 minutes particularly on a road as congested as Route 6. You would have to be flying and get through all of the traffic signals without stopping. That is highly unlikely. Jay

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by htfdcolt

As one who has started a frequent commute to the Providence suburbs from the Hartford area, I am appalled that there is no direct interstate-quality link between the two capitals. At the very least, the 15 miles of Rt 6 on the RI side could be upgraded (to similar standard as the connector to 395 on the CT side) which would help a lot. And I must say it's funny to have to get off 395S, and make my way through traffic lights to get to Rt 2 westbound at Norwich!

Fortunately, I've found a couple of route options which get me there in 90-95 min, with really very little traffic.

I-84 was suppose to connect Hartford to Providence. In fact what is called I-384 in Manchester and Bolton today was originally designated I-84 when it was built. Even the expressway section of Route 6 in Windham was suppose to be part of I-84 to Providence. What happened was that the environmentalist fought building an expressway west of Providence through the Situate Reservoir watershed, claiming that it would hurt the water supply. Rhode Island gave up and canceled their section of I-84. Connecticut eventually followed suit and redesignated the section of what is now I-84 from East Hartford to Union. It was originally I-86. This all changed back in the 80's. Jay

[mr2448]

Originally Posted by JayCT

I-84 was suppose to connect Hartford to Providence. In fact what is called I-384 in Manchester and Bolton today was originally designated I-84 when it was built. Even the expressway section of Route 6 in Windham was suppose to be part of I-84 to Providence. What happened was that the environmentalist fought building an expressway west of Providence through the Situate Reservoir watershed, claiming that it would hurt the water supply. Rhode Island gave up and canceled their section of I-84. Connecticut eventually followed suit and redesignated the section of what is now I-84 from East Hartford to Union. It was originally I-86. This all changed back in the 80's. Jay

Bolton and Mansfield were also concerned about the proposed I-84 going thru their towns. Even towns east of these were concerned because of its effect on the rural nature of these towns. Uconn was highly in favor of the route but the rural towns of Eastern Ct and the Western towns of R.I. were against it. Route 6 has been upgraded from a dangerous 4 lane highway to a safer 2 lane hgwy in each direction, similar to the Western end of 44 thru Glocester, R.I.

But, I do agree that an interstate between the two state capitols should be revisited. Present day road construction would no longer affect the Scituate Reservoir and it could be a more limited hgwy with no exits/entrances in those towns that don't want them.

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by mr2448

Route 6 has been upgraded from a dangerous 4 lane highway to a safer 2 lane hgwy in each direction, similar to the Western end of 44 thru Glocester, R.I.

Wow, hate to think of how it was before...because I don't think it's very safe right now, plus the paved surface is very rough in spots! In fact, I took Rt 14 over to Rt 102 the other day just to avoid more of Rt 6.

Originally Posted by mr2448

But, I do agree that an interstate between the two state capitols should be revisited. Present day road construction would no longer affect the Scituate Reservoir and it could be a more limited hgwy with no exits/entrances in those towns that don't want them.

Yes, amen to that.