US Bridges

US Route 7 over Norwalk River

Fair

Fairfield County, Connecticut · 0.3MI So RT102 Ridgefield · Structure no. 00534

Built
1928
97 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
37 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
18,800
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US Route 7 over Norwalk River is a concrete slab carrying US Route 7 over Norwalk River in Fairfield County, Connecticut. It was built in 1928, so it is 97 years old, older than the Connecticut average of 56.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 6 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 18,800 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 27,935 by 2040. The structure is 37 ft (11.3 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.3 mi (23 km).

Location

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CarriesUS Route 7
CrossesNorwalk River
Location0.3MI So RT102 Ridgefield
RouteU.S. Route 7
CountyFairfield County
StateConnecticut
Coordinates41.26409, -73.43968
Functional classUrban Other Principal Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionFebruary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating47 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length37 ft (11.3 m)
Longest span16 ft (4.9 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.3 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic18,800 (2020)
Projected traffic27,935 by 2040
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed14.3 mi (23 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was US Route 7 over Norwalk River built?

It was built in 1928, making it 97 years old in 2025.

What condition is US Route 7 over Norwalk River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in February 2023.

How much traffic does US Route 7 over Norwalk River carry?

About 18,800 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is US Route 7 over Norwalk River?

The structure is 37 ft (11.3 m) long with a longest span of 16 ft (4.9 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns US Route 7 over Norwalk River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.