US Bridges

Route 8 over Housatonic Railroad

Fair

New Haven County, Connecticut · At Exit 15 · Structure no. 00572

Built
1950
75 years old, rebuilt 1988
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
134 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
73,500
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Route 8 over Housatonic Railroad is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Route 8 over Housatonic Railroad in New Haven County, Connecticut. It was built in 1950 and reconstructed in 1988, so it is 75 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 73,500 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 109,214 by 2041. The structure is 134 ft (40.8 m) long and 124 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRoute 8
CrossesHousatonic Railroad
LocationAt Exit 15
RouteState Highway 8
CountyNew Haven County
StateConnecticut
Coordinates41.31743, -73.08469
Functional classUrban Principal Arterial - Other Freeway or Expressway

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating41.4 US tons
Inventory rating25.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length134 ft (40.8 m)
Longest span63 ft (19.2 m)
Deck width124 ft (37.7 m)
Roadway width112 ft (34.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic73,500 (2021)
Projected traffic109,214 by 2041
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure6
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Route 8 over Housatonic Railroad built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1988.

What condition is Route 8 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 Route 8 over Housatonic Railroad carry?

About 73,500 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is Route 8 over Housatonic Railroad?

The structure is 134 ft (40.8 m) long with a longest span of 63 ft (19.2 m) and a deck 124 ft wide.

Who owns Route 8 over Housatonic Railroad?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.