US Bridges

Route 72 over Pan Am Railroad

Fair

Hartford County, Connecticut · 0.25 Mi. North of RTE 177 · Structure no. 04313

Built
1980
45 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Frame
Concrete
Length
53 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
29,700
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Route 72 over Pan Am Railroad is a concrete frame carrying Route 72 over Pan Am Railroad in Hartford County, Connecticut. It was built in 1980, so it is 45 years old, younger 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 29,700 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 44,131 by 2041. The structure is 53 ft (16.3 m) long and 60 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRoute 72
CrossesPan Am Railroad
Location0.25 Mi. North of RTE 177
RouteState Highway 72
CountyHartford County
StateConnecticut
Coordinates41.67537, -72.88083
Functional classUrban Principal Arterial - Other Freeway or Expressway

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating90.8 US tons
Inventory rating54.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeFrame
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length53 ft (16.3 m)
Longest span49 ft (15 m)
Deck width60 ft (18.2 m)
Roadway width54 ft (16.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic29,700 (2021)
Projected traffic44,131 by 2041
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Route 72 over Pan Am Railroad built?

It was built in 1980, making it 45 years old in 2025.

What condition is Route 72 over Pan Am Railroad 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 Route 72 over Pan Am Railroad carry?

About 29,700 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is Route 72 over Pan Am Railroad?

The structure is 53 ft (16.3 m) long with a longest span of 49 ft (15 m) and a deck 60 ft wide.

Who owns Route 72 over Pan Am Railroad?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.