Route 3 (RI)

Route 3
Nooseneck Hill Road
Route information
Length:	30.1 mi (48.4 km)
Existed:	mid-1930s – present
Major junctions
South end:	US 1 in Westerly
	I‑95 in Hopkinton Route 138 in Hopkinton Route 102 in Exeter I‑95 in West Greenwich
North end:	Route 2 in Warwick
Location
Counties:	Washington, Kent
Highway system
Rhode Island Routes ← Route 2 Route 4 → ← Route 1 N.E. Route 2 →

Rhode Island Routes

Route 3 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. Route 3 serves as a local alternative to Interstate 95 as it parallels I-95 for almost its entire length. Route 3 in West Warwick was the site of The Station nightclub fire.

Route 3 starts at US 1 in Westerly. It begins heading north, and it has a partial interchange with the Westerly Bypass. Route 3 continues north, intersects I-95 at exit 1, and turns to the northeast to parallel I-95. After two more interchanges with I-95, Route 3 passes through downtown Coventry. Continuing east into West Warwick, Route 3 terminates at Route 2 on the West Warwick/Warwick town line.

About 1835 the New London Turnpike was established as the primary road between Providence, Rhode Island and New London, Connecticut. As such, it was one of the earliest interstate highways in the country. The New London Turnpike proved a viable alternative to the Old Post Road, which followed the coastal route, as it was more direct and faster.

The New London Turnpike (also called New London Avenue in parts of Rhode Island and the Gold Star Highway in Connecticut) was a primary route until the advent of automobiles in the early 20th Century. The increased need for roadways led to the development of a more improved interstate highway system. The Connecticut portion of the New London Turnpike is now Route 184 and in Rhode Island parts of the New London Turnpike are on Routes 2 and 3.

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Wikipedia