Heading southeast, I-291 has a partial interchange with Route 159, then crosses the Connecticut River on the Bissell Bridge.

At the west end, stub ramps continue about one-half mile (0.80 km) past I-91 to provide access to Route 218.

While the remainder of I-291 was canceled amid environmental concerns, those two interchanges were built as part of I-84 and I-91 construction and stood unused for over 20 years as ramp stubs.

Route 9 currently serves as the southwest quadrant around Hartford leaving only the northwest section of I-291 unbuilt.

A small portion of what was to be the northwest leg of I-291 was built along Route 218 west of I-91, which is now used as a commuter parking lot.