US Bridges

Firetown Road over Bissell Brook

Fair

Hartford County, Connecticut · Off Route 309 · Structure no. 04549

Built
1949
76 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
24 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,800
2022 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

Firetown Road over Bissell Brook is a concrete slab carrying Firetown Road over Bissell Brook in Hartford County, Connecticut. It was built in 1949, so it is 76 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 1,800 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,675 by 2042. The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFiretown Road
CrossesBissell Brook
LocationOff Route 309
RouteCity Street 0
CountyHartford County
StateConnecticut
Coordinates41.91694, -72.85118
Functional classRural 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 inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating39.7 US tons
Inventory rating30.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length24 ft (7.3 m)
Longest span21 ft (6.4 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.7 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,800 (2022)
Projected traffic2,675 by 2042
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerTown or Township Highway Agency
Maintained byTown or Township 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 Firetown Road over Bissell Brook built?

It was built in 1949, making it 76 years old in 2025.

What condition is Firetown Road over Bissell 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does Firetown Road over Bissell Brook carry?

About 1,800 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Firetown Road over Bissell Brook?

The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long with a longest span of 21 ft (6.4 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns Firetown Road over Bissell Brook?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.