US Bridges

Wheelers Farms Rd. over SR 796

Good

New Haven County, Connecticut · 0.2 MI N of I-95 · Structure no. 01446

Built
1941
84 years old, rebuilt 2022
Condition
Good
inspected December 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
147 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
5,900
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Wheelers Farms Rd. over SR 796 is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Wheelers Farms Rd. over SR 796 in New Haven County, Connecticut. It was built in 1941 and reconstructed in 2022, so it is 84 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 8 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 5,900 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 8,767 by 2041. The structure is 147 ft (44.8 m) long and 45 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesWheelers Farms Rd.
CrossesSR 796
Location0.2 MI N of I-95
RouteCity Street 0
CountyNew Haven County
StateConnecticut
Coordinates41.23504, -73.07247
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

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.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating70 US tons
Inventory rating53.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHL 93
Structure length147 ft (44.8 m)
Longest span70 ft (21.4 m)
Deck width45 ft (13.6 m)
Roadway width32 ft (9.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5,900 (2021)
Projected traffic8,767 by 2041
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$8 million
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Wheelers Farms Rd. over SR 796 built?

It was built in 1941, making it 84 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2022.

What condition is Wheelers Farms Rd. over SR 796 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does Wheelers Farms Rd. over SR 796 carry?

About 5,900 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Wheelers Farms Rd. over SR 796?

The structure is 147 ft (44.8 m) long with a longest span of 70 ft (21.4 m) and a deck 45 ft wide.

Who owns Wheelers Farms Rd. over SR 796?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.