US Bridges

Route 173 over AMTRAK Railroad & Busway

Fair

Hartford County, Connecticut · 1.5 Miles North Route 175 · Structure no. 01477

Built
1938
87 years old, rebuilt 1993
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
199 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
15,000
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Route 173 over AMTRAK Railroad & Busway is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Route 173 over AMTRAK Railroad & Busway in Hartford County, Connecticut. It was built in 1938 and reconstructed in 1993, so it is 87 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 15,000 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 22,289 by 2041. The structure is 199 ft (60.8 m) long and 66 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRoute 173
CrossesAMTRAK Railroad & Busway
Location1.5 Miles North Route 175
RouteState Highway 173
CountyHartford County
StateConnecticut
Coordinates41.71499, -72.73715
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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
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
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating70.8 US tons
Inventory rating54.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length199 ft (60.8 m)
Longest span110 ft (33.4 m)
Deck width66 ft (20 m)
Roadway width50 ft (15.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic15,000 (2021)
Projected traffic22,289 by 2041
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesHighway and railroad
Detour if closed5 mi (8 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

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—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Route 173 over AMTRAK Railroad & Busway built?

It was built in 1938, making it 87 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1993.

What condition is Route 173 over AMTRAK Railroad & Busway 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 2024.

How much traffic does Route 173 over AMTRAK Railroad & Busway carry?

About 15,000 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is Route 173 over AMTRAK Railroad & Busway?

The structure is 199 ft (60.8 m) long with a longest span of 110 ft (33.4 m) and a deck 66 ft wide.

Who owns Route 173 over AMTRAK Railroad & Busway?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.