The Stacks to Nowhere & West Hartfords Unbuilt Interstate 291 Highway

As modern interstate highways were being built throughout the United States in the 1950s, 60s, & 70s, plans were made for a beltway around the City of Hartford, with a significant portion traveling through West Hartford’s two reservoirs. Town Historian Tracey Wilson joins us to discuss the proposal and how it was defeated

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So grateful to have my friend Tracey Wilson join us in sharing the story of the 1960s proposed Interstate 291 that was to traverse the entire Western side of West Hartford from the I-84 Stacks in Farmington, through both Reservoirs to Bloomfield. Lo

So grateful to have my friend Tracey Wilson join us in sharing the story of the 1960s proposed Interstate 291 that was to traverse the entire Western side of West Hartford from the I-84 Stacks in Farmington, through both Reservoirs to Bloomfield. Look for the episode in the coming days.

The approximate location - Beginning at the I-84 Stacks, traveling North, crossing Farmington Avenue near the Farmington/WH town line (with exits), traversing the western side of the Farmington Avenue Reservoir, crossing Albany Avenue (with exits) a

The approximate location - Beginning at the I-84 Stacks, traveling North, crossing Farmington Avenue near the Farmington/WH town line (with exits), traversing the western side of the Farmington Avenue Reservoir, crossing Albany Avenue (with exits) and traversing the eastern side of the Albany Avenue Reservoir, bearing N/NW crossing Simsbury Road (Rt. 185), then heading due east toward Cottage Grove Road, with another exit/interchange at the intersection of Rt. 218 (then North Main Street, now Hall Blvd) and Cottage Grove Road. The proposed highway then ran due east, just south of, and parallel to, Cottage Grove Road to Windsor where it connected with I-91.

Approximate proposed location of I-291 from the I-84 Interchange (The Stacks to Nowhere) heading north toward Oakland Gardens on Farmington Ave, just west of the WH/Farmington town line, traveling though the western edge of the Farmington Avenue rese

Approximate proposed location of I-291 from the I-84 Interchange (The Stacks to Nowhere) heading north toward Oakland Gardens on Farmington Ave, just west of the WH/Farmington town line, traveling though the western edge of the Farmington Avenue reservoir toward Albany Avenue.

Conceptual drawing from 1960, looking south, showing the unbuilt I-291 at the Albany Avenue (existing US 44) interchange and an aerial photo of the same area today with the approximate location of the proposed highway.

Conceptual drawing from 1960, looking south, showing the unbuilt I-291 at the Albany Avenue (existing US 44) interchange and an aerial photo of the same area today with the approximate location of the proposed highway.

Conceptual drawing from 1960, looking south, showing the unbuilt I-291 at the Albany Avenue (existing US 44) interchange and an aerial photo of the same area today with the approximate location of the proposed highway.

Conceptual drawing from 1960, looking south, showing the unbuilt I-291 at the Albany Avenue (existing US 44) interchange and an aerial photo of the same area today with the approximate location of the proposed highway.

Portion of the proposed I-291, heading north along the eastern edge of the Albany Avenue reservoir, bearing N/NE though Auerfarm Park, crossing Rt 185/Simsbury Road, heading east though the northern portion of Tumblebrook CC toward Cottage Grove Roa

Portion of the proposed I-291, heading north along the eastern edge of the Albany Avenue reservoir, bearing N/NE though Auerfarm Park, crossing Rt 185/Simsbury Road, heading east though the northern portion of Tumblebrook CC toward Cottage Grove Road.