US Bridges

US Route 5 over Freshwater Brook

Fair

Hartford County, Connecticut · 500 Ft South of RTE 220 · Structure no. 00444

Built
1934
91 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
35 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
12,100
2019 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US Route 5 over Freshwater Brook is a concrete tee beam carrying US Route 5 over Freshwater Brook in Hartford County, Connecticut. It was built in 1934, so it is 91 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 5 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 12,100 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 17,979 by 2039. The structure is 35 ft (10.7 m) long and 55 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUS Route 5
CrossesFreshwater Brook
Location500 Ft South of RTE 220
RouteU.S. Route 5
CountyHartford County
StateConnecticut
Coordinates41.99667, -72.59446
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating34 US tons
Inventory rating26.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length35 ft (10.7 m)
Longest span32 ft (9.8 m)
Deck width55 ft (16.8 m)
Roadway width50 ft (15.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic12,100 (2019)
Projected traffic17,979 by 2039
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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 5 over Freshwater Brook built?

It was built in 1934, making it 91 years old in 2025.

What condition is US Route 5 over Freshwater Brook 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does US Route 5 over Freshwater Brook carry?

About 12,100 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is US Route 5 over Freshwater Brook?

The structure is 35 ft (10.7 m) long with a longest span of 32 ft (9.8 m) and a deck 55 ft wide.

Who owns US Route 5 over Freshwater Brook?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.