US Bridges

Cold Spring Road over Rippowam River

Fair

Fairfield County, Connecticut · 0.4 MI W of Route 137 · Structure no. 03679

Built
1935
90 years old, rebuilt 2012
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
60 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
7,470
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Cold Spring Road over Rippowam River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Cold Spring Road over Rippowam River in Fairfield County, Connecticut. It was built in 1935 and reconstructed in 2012, so it is 90 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 7,470 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 11,100 by 2043. The structure is 60 ft (18.4 m) long and 40 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesCold Spring Road
CrossesRippowam River
Location0.4 MI W of Route 137
RouteCity Street 0
CountyFairfield County
StateConnecticut
Coordinates41.06612, -73.55771
Functional classUrban Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 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 geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating80.7 US tons
Inventory rating62.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length60 ft (18.4 m)
Longest span27 ft (8.3 m)
Deck width40 ft (12.3 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic7,470 (2023)
Projected traffic11,100 by 2043
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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 Cold Spring Road over Rippowam River built?

It was built in 1935, making it 90 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2012.

What condition is Cold Spring Road over Rippowam 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does Cold Spring Road over Rippowam River carry?

About 7,470 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Cold Spring Road over Rippowam River?

The structure is 60 ft (18.4 m) long with a longest span of 27 ft (8.3 m) and a deck 40 ft wide.

Who owns Cold Spring Road over Rippowam River?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.