US Bridges

East Rock Road over Mill River

Fair

New Haven County, Connecticut · At Junct W Farnum Drive · Structure no. 04418

Built
1900
125 years old, rebuilt 2013
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Steel
Length
85 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,365
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

East Rock Road over Mill River is a steel arch - deck carrying East Rock Road over Mill River in New Haven County, Connecticut. It was built in 1900 and reconstructed in 2013, so it is 125 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 1,365 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,028 by 2043. The structure is 85 ft (25.9 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesEast Rock Road
CrossesMill River
LocationAt Junct W Farnum Drive
RouteCity Street 0
CountyNew Haven County
StateConnecticut
Coordinates41.33041, -72.90899
Functional classUrban Local

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.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating49.3 US tons
Inventory rating37.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialSteel
DeckClosed grating
Main spans1
Design loadHL 93
Structure length85 ft (25.9 m)
Longest span84 ft (25.7 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.7 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,365 (2023)
Projected traffic2,028 by 2043
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Historic statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was East Rock Road over Mill River built?

It was built in 1900, making it 125 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2013.

What condition is East Rock Road over Mill 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 East Rock Road over Mill River carry?

About 1,365 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is East Rock Road over Mill River?

The structure is 85 ft (25.9 m) long with a longest span of 84 ft (25.7 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns East Rock Road over Mill River?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.