STATE ROUTE 805 IN DANBURY (FEDERAL ROAD) OVERVIEW

For an understanding of the key traffic safety terms "TASR" and "SLOSSS" that are repeatedly referenced in the discussions below, be sure to review the "Introduction to Danbury, CT Traffic" section.

State Route 840, also known as White Turkey Road Extension, is designated by Conn DOT as a collector route. Its length in Danbury is eight tenths of a mile, terminating at the Route 7 Expressway ramps shortly after crossing the Brookfield Town Line. The roadway cross section includes four thru lanes and is almost entirely limited access.

Conn DOT reports average daily traffic volumes in 1999 of 16,200. On the 1995-97 Conn DOT TASR list the intersection with Federal Road was rated at 187% with a SLOSSS designation, up from 70% for 1992-94 and 67% for 1989-91.

In 1968, before this roadway was constructed, HVCEO requested Conn DOT to study the feasibility of access from the proposed Route 840 over the railroad tracks to facilitate economic development in the Danbury, Bethel and Brookfield border area.

A 1969 a report was then completed by Conn DOT on this subject, to determine if Route 7's planned White Turkey Road Exit and adjacent Route 840 would preclude access to vacant land areas proposed for business use across the railroad tracks and east of the interchange. The Conn DOT report demonstrated that these circulation components could be compatible.

The Conn DOT bridge proposal was incorporated into Danbury and HVCEO plans. The eventual result was the design of Route 840 to be compatible with the eventually construction of a "J" shaped bridge, starting at grade on Route 840, then rising up over the railroad to allow access to the east. The "J" Bridge with its signalized intersection with Route 840 was constructed with private funds in the early nineties. It is now identified as the Berkshire Corporate Park Bridge and carries Riverview Road.