US Bridges

Preston Road over Poland River

Fair

Litchfield County, Connecticut · 500 Feet West of Route 72 · Structure no. 06543

Built
1996
29 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
32 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
1,648
2023 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

Preston Road over Poland River is a concrete culvert carrying Preston Road over Poland River in Litchfield County, Connecticut. It was built in 1996, so it is 29 years old, younger 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 6 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 1,648 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,449 by 2043. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 49 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesPreston Road
CrossesPoland River
Location500 Feet West of Route 72
RouteCity Street 0
CountyLitchfield County
StateConnecticut
Coordinates41.70139, -73.00919
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating47 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckOther
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span14 ft (4.3 m)
Deck width49 ft (14.9 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,648 (2023)
Projected traffic2,449 by 2043
Trucks2%
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 Preston Road over Poland River built?

It was built in 1996, making it 29 years old in 2025.

What condition is Preston Road over Poland 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does Preston Road over Poland River carry?

About 1,648 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Preston Road over Poland River?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 14 ft (4.3 m) and a deck 49 ft wide.

Who owns Preston Road over Poland River?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.