US Bridges

Route 4 over Guinea Brook

Poor

Litchfield County, Connecticut · Jct. of East St. · Structure no. 00421

Built
1933
92 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected March 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
28 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
2,200
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Route 4 over Guinea Brook is a concrete slab carrying Route 4 over Guinea Brook in Litchfield County, Connecticut. It was built in 1933, so it is 92 years old, older than the Connecticut average of 56.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 2,200 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,269 by 2041. The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long and 35 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRoute 4
CrossesGuinea Brook
LocationJct. of East St.
RouteState Highway 4
CountyLitchfield County
StateConnecticut
Coordinates41.82184, -73.40019
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating92 US tons
Inventory rating55.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length28 ft (8.5 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.3 m)
Deck width35 ft (10.7 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,200 (2021)
Projected traffic3,269 by 2041
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Route 4 over Guinea Brook built?

It was built in 1933, making it 92 years old in 2025.

What condition is Route 4 over Guinea Brook in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in March 2023.

How much traffic does Route 4 over Guinea Brook carry?

About 2,200 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Route 4 over Guinea Brook?

The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.3 m) and a deck 35 ft wide.

Who owns Route 4 over Guinea Brook?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.