Connecticut Route 349

Route 349 begins as a limited-access spur from I-95 (at Exit 87) leading to the city of Groton. It has full interchanges with I-95 and US 1. The limited-access portion is 1.9 mi long and is known as the Clarence B. Sharp Highway.

Route description
Route 349 begins at Shennecossett Road in southern Groton. It runs north as Eastern Point Avenue, parallel to the Thames River. The road passes through Shennecossett Golf Course and next to General Dynamics Electric Boat. It bears east on Rainville Avenue before turning north on Clarence B. Sharp Highway, a four-lane undivided expressway. After an at-grade intersection with Meridian Street, Route 349 becomes a four-lane divided freeway. Route 349 has an interchange with US 1 before terminating at a directional T interchange with I-95. The surface section of Route 349 from mile post 0.89 to the junction with SR 649 is also known as the "City Police Officer William J. Snyder, Sr. Memorial Highway".

History
In the 1960s, Groton was a center of submarine manufacturing. An unsigned state highway, State Road 649, led from I-95's exit 85 to the industrial area. The many urban intersections through Groton center led to elevated traffic congestion. Because of this, a proposal to relocate SR 649 onto a new expressway arose. The expressway was completed in 1966, and SR 649 was relocated onto it. In 1985, part of SR 649 was re-designated as Route 349, and additionally included a portion of a road leading to Avery Point, resulting in the modern alignment and designation.