US Bridges

INTERSTATE-95 over Route 161

Poor

New London County, Connecticut · 0.4 MI S of US Route 1 · Structure no. 00250

Built
1958
67 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
106 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
59,100
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

INTERSTATE-95 over Route 161 is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying INTERSTATE-95 over Route 161 in New London County, Connecticut. It was built in 1958, so it is 67 years old, older than the Connecticut average of 56.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 59,100 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 87,817 by 2040. The structure is 106 ft (32.4 m) long and 94 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesINTERSTATE-95
CrossesRoute 161
Location0.4 MI S of US Route 1
RouteInterstate 95
CountyNew London County
StateConnecticut
Coordinates41.36091, -72.20973
Functional classUrban Principal Arterial - Interstate

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, 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 inspectionSeptember 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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating56.4 US tons
Inventory rating43.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length106 ft (32.4 m)
Longest span97 ft (29.6 m)
Deck width94 ft (28.6 m)
Roadway width72 ft (21.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic59,100 (2020)
Projected traffic87,817 by 2040
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure5
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes
Strategic Highway NetworkInterstate STRAHNET route

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$112 million
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was INTERSTATE-95 over Route 161 built?

It was built in 1958, making it 67 years old in 2025.

What condition is INTERSTATE-95 over Route 161 in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in September 2023.

How much traffic does INTERSTATE-95 over Route 161 carry?

About 59,100 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is INTERSTATE-95 over Route 161?

The structure is 106 ft (32.4 m) long with a longest span of 97 ft (29.6 m) and a deck 94 ft wide.

Who owns INTERSTATE-95 over Route 161?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.