US Bridges

US Route 44 over Spruce Swamp Creek

Fair

Litchfield County, Connecticut · .5 Miles East of Route 41 · Structure no. 00965

Built
1928
97 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
4,300
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US Route 44 over Spruce Swamp Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying US Route 44 over Spruce Swamp Creek in Litchfield County, Connecticut. It was built in 1928, so it is 97 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 4,300 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 6,389 by 2040. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

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CarriesUS Route 44
CrossesSpruce Swamp Creek
Location.5 Miles East of Route 41
RouteU.S. Route 44
CountyLitchfield County
StateConnecticut
Coordinates41.98941, -73.41727
Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Other

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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJanuary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
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
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating101 US tons
Inventory rating60.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span28 ft (8.5 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.3 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,300 (2020)
Projected traffic6,389 by 2040
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was US Route 44 over Spruce Swamp Creek built?

It was built in 1928, making it 97 years old in 2025.

What condition is US Route 44 over Spruce Swamp Creek 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 January 2023.

How much traffic does US Route 44 over Spruce Swamp Creek carry?

About 4,300 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is US Route 44 over Spruce Swamp Creek?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 28 ft (8.5 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns US Route 44 over Spruce Swamp Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.