US Bridges

US Route 7 over Housatonic Railroad

Fair

Litchfield County, Connecticut · 500 N of Salisbury Tl · Structure no. 00563

Built
1931
94 years old, rebuilt 1988
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
140 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
3,400
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US Route 7 over Housatonic Railroad is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying US Route 7 over Housatonic Railroad in Litchfield County, Connecticut. It was built in 1931 and reconstructed in 1988, so it is 94 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 3,400 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,052 by 2041. The structure is 140 ft (42.7 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.2 mi (18 km).

Location

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CarriesUS Route 7
CrossesHousatonic Railroad
Location500 N of Salisbury Tl
RouteU.S. Route 7
CountyLitchfield County
StateConnecticut
Coordinates41.9357, -73.36057
Functional classRural Minor 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.
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 inspectionMay 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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating86.9 US tons
Inventory rating52.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length140 ft (42.7 m)
Longest span45 ft (13.7 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.3 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,400 (2021)
Projected traffic5,052 by 2041
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed11.2 mi (18 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 US Route 7 over Housatonic Railroad built?

It was built in 1931, making it 94 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1988.

What condition is US Route 7 over Housatonic 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does US Route 7 over Housatonic Railroad carry?

About 3,400 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is US Route 7 over Housatonic Railroad?

The structure is 140 ft (42.7 m) long with a longest span of 45 ft (13.7 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns US Route 7 over Housatonic Railroad?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.