Pizza and Basketball: New Highway Signs Promote Connecticut’s Strengths

From basketball titles to acclaimed pizza, a new series of “Welcome to Connecticut” signs unveiled by Gov. Ned Lamont Wednesday seek to highlight winning aspects of Connecticut’s identity for motorists traversing state highways.

State transportation officials have placed the news signs in seven locations alongside highways where drivers cross into Connecticut from Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island.

Each sign highlights a unique aspect of Connecticut. For instance, the signs tout Connecticut as “the Pizza Capital of the United States” and the “Foodie Capital of New England.” Other signs proclaim Connecticut as home to both the “Basketball Capital of the World” and the “Submarine Capital of the World.”

In a press release, Lamont said the new signs were meant to reflect the qualities that make Connecticut special.

“We want everyone entering our state to immediately feel proud of what we do well here, whether it’s making the nation’s best pizza, world class meals, national championships, or the most complex machines in the world,” Lamont said. “Each sign is an invitation to experience all that we have to offer as one of the best states to live, work, and play.”

Signs touting the state’s acclaimed pizza reflect a February proclamation by the governor, naming Connecticut the Pizza Capital of the U.S. and have been placed at locations on I-95 and I-84 entering Connecticut from New York.

Signs declaring Connecticut the “Home of the Basketball Capital of the World” highlight a long history of national titles by the University of Connecticut’s Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams, including the men’s recent back-to-back national titles in 2023 and 2024. The signs have been installed at three locations on I-91, I-84, and I-395 along the border with Massachusetts.

A third sign, highlighting Connecticut’s submarine industry, has been placed along I-95 entering Connecticut from Rhode Island. The sign reflects both the Groton headquarters of submarine manufacturer Electric Boat and the Naval Submarine Base in New London.

Finally, a sign declaring Connecticut the “Foodie Capital of New England,” has been posted along U.S. Route 6 entering Connecticut from Rhode Island. This year, the governor issued an official proclamation, naming Connecticut the foodie capital of the region in response to growing recognition of Connecticut chefs and restaurants including Chef David Standridge, who was awarded the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Northeast in 2024.

Posted by Michelle Rappaport