US Bridges

Tunnel Road over Shepaug River

Good

Litchfield County, Connecticut · 100 Ft S of Church Hill R · Structure no. 05158

Built
1956
69 years old, rebuilt 2024
Condition
Good
inspected May 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
123 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
263
2024 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

Tunnel Road over Shepaug River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Tunnel Road over Shepaug River in Litchfield County, Connecticut. It was built in 1956 and reconstructed in 2024, so it is 69 years old, older than the Connecticut average of 56.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 263 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 391 by 2044. The structure is 123 ft (37.5 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

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CarriesTunnel Road
CrossesShepaug River
Location100 Ft S of Church Hill R
RouteCity Street 0
CountyLitchfield County
StateConnecticut
Coordinates41.62174, -73.32573
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating55.1 US tons
Inventory rating33.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length123 ft (37.5 m)
Longest span119 ft (36.4 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.6 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic263 (2024)
Projected traffic391 by 2044
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$3.2 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Tunnel Road over Shepaug River built?

It was built in 1956, making it 69 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2024.

What condition is Tunnel Road over Shepaug River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in May 2024.

How much traffic does Tunnel Road over Shepaug River carry?

About 263 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Tunnel Road over Shepaug River?

The structure is 123 ft (37.5 m) long with a longest span of 119 ft (36.4 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Tunnel Road over Shepaug River?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.