US Bridges

Route 79 over AMTRAK Railroad

Fair

New Haven County, Connecticut · 0.3 MI N of US Route 1 · Structure no. 01125

Built
1957
68 years old, rebuilt 1990
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
129 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
10,800
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Route 79 over AMTRAK Railroad is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Route 79 over AMTRAK Railroad in New Haven County, Connecticut. It was built in 1957 and reconstructed in 1990, so it is 68 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 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 10,800 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 16,048 by 2042. The structure is 129 ft (39.3 m) long and 53 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesRoute 79
CrossesAMTRAK Railroad
Location0.3 MI N of US Route 1
RouteState Highway 79
CountyNew Haven County
StateConnecticut
Coordinates41.28371, -72.60068
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionFebruary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating40.3 US tons
Inventory rating31.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length129 ft (39.3 m)
Longest span46 ft (14 m)
Deck width53 ft (16.2 m)
Roadway width41 ft (12.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10,800 (2022)
Projected traffic16,048 by 2042
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

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 79 over AMTRAK Railroad built?

It was built in 1957, making it 68 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1990.

What condition is Route 79 over AMTRAK 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 February 2024.

How much traffic does Route 79 over AMTRAK Railroad carry?

About 10,800 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Route 79 over AMTRAK Railroad?

The structure is 129 ft (39.3 m) long with a longest span of 46 ft (14 m) and a deck 53 ft wide.

Who owns Route 79 over AMTRAK Railroad?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.