U.S. Route 7 in Connecticut
Encyclopedia
In the state of Connecticut
, U.S. Route 7
runs from Canaan
to Norwalk
.
(also known as the Route 7, Ethan Allen Highway and Super 7) is mostly a surface road but has two short expressway sections in the Norwalk
and Danbury
areas. US 7 begins in Norwalk with a 4 miles (6.4 km) expressway to nearly the Wilton
town line. There are three exits on this short section, signed as "The Forty Third Infantry Division Memorial Highway". Exit 1, just past Interstate 95
(the southern terminus), leads to the Central Norwalk Business District and US 1
. Exit 2 leads to Route 123
which extends from US 1 in Norwalk to the New York
State line, passing through the town of New Canaan
. After Exit 2, the expressway reduces to four lanes from six. Exit 3 leads to Route 15 southbound, also known as the Merritt Parkway
. This interchange was half built and only allows southbound access from the expressway; northbound access is gained via Route 123 at Exit 2. The expressway section ends at Grist Mill Road in Norwalk, about one-half mile past Exit 3.
Near Danbury
, another expressway section was built beginning 1 miles (1.6 km) south of Interstate 84
near the Danbury Airport
. This section is also signed as "The Forty Third Infantry Division Memorial Highway". Through Danbury proper, Route 7 overlaps with I-84 for about 4 miles (6 km). Through this section of expressway, Routes I-84
, U.S. 7, U.S. 6
and U.S. 202
are concurrent. Routes 7 and 202 then leave I-84 at exit 7 and travel on their own expressway for approximately 8 miles (13 km) to just south of the New Milford
line. On this section there are two exits. At Exit 11 (Federal Road), US 202 exits the expressway and at Exit 12, Route 202 crosses back over Route 7. On southbound Route 7, the exit for Interstate 84 Eastbound is signed as exit 13. There is no exit number for I-84 West because of the concurrency. The Route 7 expressway then bypasses Brookfield
to the west and terminates at an intersection with Route 202 at the Fairfield
/Litchfield county line. Construction on the section between I-84 and Exit 12 began in 1974 and completed in 1976. The Brookfield bypass segment between Exit 12 and the current expressway terminus opened in November 2009, after two years of construction. The former US 7 route through Brookfield is now signed solely as US 202.
Route 7 is cosigned with U.S. 202 until central New Milford, where Route 202 turns east with Route 67 while Route 7 continues north. Recent construction has also made large parts of Route 7 between the terminus of the expressway and New Milford a four-lane divided highway with at-grade intersections. North of New Milford center, Route 7 remains a two-lane road through the rest of Connecticut.
!County
!Town
!Mile
!Destinations
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=11|Fairfield
|rowspan=3|Norwalk
|0.00
|
|
|-
|1.18
|
|
|-
|2.93
|
|
|-
|rowspan=3|Wilton
|6.03
|
|Begin concurrence
|-
|6.47
|
|
|-
|7.30
|
|End concurrence
|-
|rowspan=2|Branchville
|12.56
|
|
|-
|16.88
|
|
|-
|rowspan=3|Danbury
|21.56
|
|Begin overlap, I-84 Exit 3
|-
|~21.8
|
|Begin US 6 and 202 overlap, I-84 Exit 4
|-
|25.21
|
|End of I-84 and US 6 overlap, Exit 7
|-
|rowspan=13|Litchfield
|rowspan=4|New Milford
|37.24
|
|East end of US 202 overlap
|-
|37.24
|
|
|-
|39.93
|
|
|-
|44.36
|
|
|-
|rowspan=1|Kent
|50.88
|
|
|-
|rowspan=4|Cornwall
|58.74
|
|
|-
|59.91
|
|Begin concurrence
|-
|60.12
|
|End concurrence
|-
|64.27
|
|
|-
|rowspan=1|Lime Rock
|68.83
|
|
|-
|rowspan=3|Canaan
|70.62
|
|
|-
|71.90
|
|
|-
|76.46
|
|
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, U.S. Route 7
U.S. Route 7
U.S. Route 7 is a north–south United States highway in western New England that runs for from Norwalk, Connecticut, to Highgate, Vermont. The highway's southern terminus is at Interstate 95 in Norwalk, Connecticut...
runs from Canaan
Canaan, Connecticut
Canaan is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 1,081 at the 2000 census. The town of Canaan is often referred to locally by the name of its principal constituent village, Falls Village.-Geography:...
to Norwalk
Norwalk, Connecticut
Norwalk is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of the city is 85,603, making Norwalk sixth in population in Connecticut, and third in Fairfield County...
.
Route description
U.S. 7 in ConnecticutConnecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
(also known as the Route 7, Ethan Allen Highway and Super 7) is mostly a surface road but has two short expressway sections in the Norwalk
Norwalk, Connecticut
Norwalk is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of the city is 85,603, making Norwalk sixth in population in Connecticut, and third in Fairfield County...
and Danbury
Danbury, Connecticut
Danbury is a city in northern Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It had population at the 2010 census of 80,893. Danbury is the fourth largest city in Fairfield County and is the seventh largest city in Connecticut....
areas. US 7 begins in Norwalk with a 4 miles (6.4 km) expressway to nearly the Wilton
Wilton, Connecticut
Wilton is a town nestled in the Norwalk River Valley in southwestern Connecticut in the United States. It is located in Fairfield County. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 18,062. In 2007, it was voted as one of CNN Money's "Best Places to Live" in the United States.Located along...
town line. There are three exits on this short section, signed as "The Forty Third Infantry Division Memorial Highway". Exit 1, just past Interstate 95
Interstate 95 in Connecticut
Interstate 95, the main north–south Interstate Highway on the East Coast of the United States, runs in a general east–west compass direction for 111.57 miles in Connecticut from the Rhode Island state line to the New York State line. I-95 Southbound from East Lyme to the New York State...
(the southern terminus), leads to the Central Norwalk Business District and US 1
U.S. Route 1 in Connecticut
In the U.S. state of Connecticut, U.S. Route 1 is a major east–west state highway along Long Island Sound. It has been replaced by Interstate 95 as a through route, which it closely parallels, and now primarily serves as a local business route...
. Exit 2 leads to Route 123
Connecticut Route 123
Route 123 is a secondary state highway in southwestern Connecticut from Norwalk to the New York state line near the hamlet of Vista .-Route description:...
which extends from US 1 in Norwalk to the New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
State line, passing through the town of New Canaan
New Canaan, Connecticut
New Canaan is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, northeast of Stamford, on the Fivemile River. The population was 19,738 according to the 2010 census.The town is one of the most affluent communities in the United States...
. After Exit 2, the expressway reduces to four lanes from six. Exit 3 leads to Route 15 southbound, also known as the Merritt Parkway
Merritt Parkway
The Merritt Parkway is a historic limited-access parkway in Fairfield County, Connecticut. The parkway is known for its scenic layout, its uniquely styled signage, and the architecturally elaborate overpasses along the route. It is designated as a National Scenic Byway and is also listed in the...
. This interchange was half built and only allows southbound access from the expressway; northbound access is gained via Route 123 at Exit 2. The expressway section ends at Grist Mill Road in Norwalk, about one-half mile past Exit 3.
Near Danbury
Danbury, Connecticut
Danbury is a city in northern Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It had population at the 2010 census of 80,893. Danbury is the fourth largest city in Fairfield County and is the seventh largest city in Connecticut....
, another expressway section was built beginning 1 miles (1.6 km) south of Interstate 84
Interstate 84 in Connecticut
Interstate 84 is an East–West Interstate highway across the state of Connecticut into Danbury, Waterbury, Hartford and Union.-Route description:...
near the Danbury Airport
Danbury Municipal Airport
Danbury Municipal Airport is a public use general aviation airport located three miles southwest of the central business district of Danbury, in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The airport opened in 1930. It is currently run by the city of Danbury.The Reliant Air building burned...
. This section is also signed as "The Forty Third Infantry Division Memorial Highway". Through Danbury proper, Route 7 overlaps with I-84 for about 4 miles (6 km). Through this section of expressway, Routes I-84
Interstate 84 in Connecticut
Interstate 84 is an East–West Interstate highway across the state of Connecticut into Danbury, Waterbury, Hartford and Union.-Route description:...
, U.S. 7, U.S. 6
U.S. Route 6 in Connecticut
U.S. Route 6 is the portion of the cross-country U.S. Route 6 within the state of Connecticut. West of Hartford, the route either closely parallels or runs along Interstate 84. Interstate 84 has largely supplanted Route 6 as a through route in western Connecticut. East of Hartford, the route serves...
and U.S. 202
U.S. Route 202 in Connecticut
In Connecticut, U.S. Route 202 is usually signed as an east–west route. It enters from the New York state line in Danbury overlapped with U.S. Route 6 and ends at the Massachusetts state line in Granby overlapped with Route 10. US 202 is overlapped with other routes for most of its...
are concurrent. Routes 7 and 202 then leave I-84 at exit 7 and travel on their own expressway for approximately 8 miles (13 km) to just south of the New Milford
New Milford, Connecticut
New Milford is a town in southern Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States north of Danbury, on the Housatonic River. It is the largest town in the state in terms of land area at nearly . The population was 28,671 according to the Census Bureau's 2006 estimates...
line. On this section there are two exits. At Exit 11 (Federal Road), US 202 exits the expressway and at Exit 12, Route 202 crosses back over Route 7. On southbound Route 7, the exit for Interstate 84 Eastbound is signed as exit 13. There is no exit number for I-84 West because of the concurrency. The Route 7 expressway then bypasses Brookfield
Brookfield, Connecticut
Brookfield is a town located in northern Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 16,452 at the 2010 census. First settled in 1710 by John Muirwood and several other colonial founders who bartered for the land From the Wyantenuck Nation Under the Sachem Waramaugs who lived...
to the west and terminates at an intersection with Route 202 at the Fairfield
Fairfield County, Connecticut
Fairfield County is a county located in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The county population is 916,829 according to the 2010 Census. There are currently 1,465 people per square mile in the county. It is the most populous county in the State of Connecticut and contains...
/Litchfield county line. Construction on the section between I-84 and Exit 12 began in 1974 and completed in 1976. The Brookfield bypass segment between Exit 12 and the current expressway terminus opened in November 2009, after two years of construction. The former US 7 route through Brookfield is now signed solely as US 202.
Route 7 is cosigned with U.S. 202 until central New Milford, where Route 202 turns east with Route 67 while Route 7 continues north. Recent construction has also made large parts of Route 7 between the terminus of the expressway and New Milford a four-lane divided highway with at-grade intersections. North of New Milford center, Route 7 remains a two-lane road through the rest of Connecticut.
Junction list
{|class="wikitable"!County
!Town
!Mile
!Destinations
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=11|Fairfield
Fairfield County, Connecticut
Fairfield County is a county located in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The county population is 916,829 according to the 2010 Census. There are currently 1,465 people per square mile in the county. It is the most populous county in the State of Connecticut and contains...
|rowspan=3|Norwalk
Norwalk, Connecticut
Norwalk is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of the city is 85,603, making Norwalk sixth in population in Connecticut, and third in Fairfield County...
|0.00
|
|
|-
|1.18
|
|
|-
|2.93
|
|
|-
|rowspan=3|Wilton
Wilton, Connecticut
Wilton is a town nestled in the Norwalk River Valley in southwestern Connecticut in the United States. It is located in Fairfield County. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 18,062. In 2007, it was voted as one of CNN Money's "Best Places to Live" in the United States.Located along...
|6.03
|
|Begin concurrence
|-
|6.47
|
|
|-
|7.30
|
|End concurrence
|-
|rowspan=2|Branchville
Branchville, Connecticut
Branchville is a section of the southeast corner of the Town of Ridgefield, Connecticut, and is also the name of a Metro North railroad station .- History :...
|12.56
|
|
|-
|16.88
|
|
|-
|rowspan=3|Danbury
Danbury, Connecticut
Danbury is a city in northern Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It had population at the 2010 census of 80,893. Danbury is the fourth largest city in Fairfield County and is the seventh largest city in Connecticut....
|21.56
|
|Begin overlap, I-84 Exit 3
|-
|~21.8
|
|Begin US 6 and 202 overlap, I-84 Exit 4
|-
|25.21
|
|End of I-84 and US 6 overlap, Exit 7
|-
|rowspan=13|Litchfield
Litchfield County, Connecticut
Litchfield County is a county located in the northwestern corner of the U.S. state of Connecticut. Litchfield County has the lowest population density of any county in Connecticut but is geographically the state's largest county. As of 2010 the population was 189,927...
|rowspan=4|New Milford
New Milford, Connecticut
New Milford is a town in southern Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States north of Danbury, on the Housatonic River. It is the largest town in the state in terms of land area at nearly . The population was 28,671 according to the Census Bureau's 2006 estimates...
|37.24
|
|East end of US 202 overlap
|-
|37.24
|
|
|-
|39.93
|
|
|-
|44.36
|
|
|-
|rowspan=1|Kent
Kent, Connecticut
Kent is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, alongside the border with New York. The population was 2,858 at the 2000 census. The town is home to three New England boarding schools: South Kent School, Kent School and The Marvelwood School. The Schaghticoke Indian Reservation is also located...
|50.88
|
|
|-
|rowspan=4|Cornwall
Cornwall, Connecticut
Cornwall is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 1,434 at the 2000 census.In 1939 poet Mark Van Doren wrote "The Hills of Little Cornwall", a short poem in which the beauties of the countryside were portrayed as seductive:The town was also home to the Foreign...
|58.74
|
|
|-
|59.91
|
|Begin concurrence
|-
|60.12
|
|End concurrence
|-
|64.27
|
|
|-
|rowspan=1|Lime Rock
|68.83
|
|
|-
|rowspan=3|Canaan
Canaan, Connecticut
Canaan is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 1,081 at the 2000 census. The town of Canaan is often referred to locally by the name of its principal constituent village, Falls Village.-Geography:...
|70.62
|
|
|-
|71.90
|
|
|-
|76.46
|
|