US Bridges

Steele Road over Nepaug River

Fair

Litchfield County, Connecticut · 0.2 Mile North of RTE 202 · Structure no. 05075

Built
1955
70 years old, rebuilt 2001
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
110 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
280
2024 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

Steele Road over Nepaug River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Steele Road over Nepaug River in Litchfield County, Connecticut. It was built in 1955 and reconstructed in 2001, so it is 70 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 280 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 416 by 2044. The structure is 110 ft (33.5 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSteele Road
CrossesNepaug River
Location0.2 Mile North of RTE 202
RouteCity Street 0
CountyLitchfield County
StateConnecticut
Coordinates41.8313, -72.97568
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.
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Operating rating47.2 US tons
Inventory rating36.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHL 93
Structure length110 ft (33.5 m)
Longest span53 ft (16.2 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.4 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic280 (2024)
Projected traffic416 by 2044
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 Steele Road over Nepaug River built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2001.

What condition is Steele Road over Nepaug River 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Steele Road over Nepaug River carry?

About 280 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Steele Road over Nepaug River?

The structure is 110 ft (33.5 m) long with a longest span of 53 ft (16.2 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Steele Road over Nepaug River?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.