A Drive on the Merrit Parkway
Picturesque Drive Through Connecticut Offers Glimpse into Past
May 13, 2009
Known as the gateway to New England, Fairfield County offers some of the most breath taking drives that is synopsis when one conjures up images of the Northeast. Century old trees line the roads that curved and sway through the hills and valleys of one of the oldest parts of the country. Starting from the Merritt Parkway and heading north, travelers experience a microcosm of America. Passing through hamlets and villages, seaports and universities, passer-buyers can experience a blend of colonial past among the modern achievements of America.
What is the Merritt Parkway?
Opened in 1938, the Merritt Parkway is a 37-mile journey that runs parallel to US-1 and I-95. A two-lane highway in each direction, it starts in Greenwich and runs the entire stretch of Fairfield Country. The Merritt, as locals refer to it, is widely considered one of the most beautiful roadways in the United States. Designed to alleviate congestion caused by commercial transportation, it provides limited access to residential vehicles only. Driving through a nearly unobstructed forest of overhanging canopy trees, the Merritt provides a picturesque view of New England.
Apart of Roosevelt’s New Deal, the Work Projects Administration built nearly 70 bridges to cross the Merritt Parkway. Architect, George Dunkelberger designed each bridge individually, incorporating a blend of neo-classical, art deco, and gothic rustic styles to the bridges. The Merritt, seen as American as apple pie, is one of a few roadways to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Why Travel the Merrit Parkway?
The Merritt Parkway is the artery that connects Fairfield Country to New York City. Traveled by some 600,000 people per day, the road is directly accessible by nearly every city in the county. Although heavily traveled, the road offers a moment of solidarity. Slowly the road bends around the hills of the Appalachians, crosses ponds and streams, and runs along parks and country clubs. Passing under the stone bridges built during the Depression, travelers admire the detail in each of the unique structures. There is a sense of time when driving on this road. Instead of the metal dividers that block entry into the mediums as we see in modern highways, the Merritt is lined with dark, aged wood, which is nailed together for as far as the eye can see. There are no lights, no billboards, and no distractions. On a road that runs parallel to the most congested highway in the nation, surrounded by millions of people, it is easy to forget that New York City is only 20 miles away. When crossing from New York into Connecticut on the Merritt, there is an instant release of breathe. The noise from the city quiets, the air is crisp, and what lies ahead is a long, winding road into New England.
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