US Bridges

Mell Road over INTERSTATE-395

Fair

New London County, Connecticut · 0.2 MI North of RTE 169 · Structure no. 00284

Built
1958
67 years old, rebuilt 1990
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
165 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
468
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Mell Road over INTERSTATE-395 is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Mell Road over INTERSTATE-395 in New London County, Connecticut. It was built in 1958 and reconstructed in 1990, 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 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 468 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 695 by 2043. The structure is 165 ft (50.3 m) long and 46 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesMell Road
CrossesINTERSTATE-395
Location0.2 MI North of RTE 169
RouteCity Street 0
CountyNew London County
StateConnecticut
Coordinates41.58983, -72.01903
Functional classRural 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating57.9 US tons
Inventory rating44.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length165 ft (50.3 m)
Longest span80 ft (24.4 m)
Deck width46 ft (13.9 m)
Roadway width40 ft (12.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic468 (2023)
Projected traffic695 by 2043
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 Mell Road over INTERSTATE-395 built?

It was built in 1958, making it 67 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1990.

What condition is Mell Road over INTERSTATE-395 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does Mell Road over INTERSTATE-395 carry?

About 468 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Mell Road over INTERSTATE-395?

The structure is 165 ft (50.3 m) long with a longest span of 80 ft (24.4 m) and a deck 46 ft wide.

Who owns Mell Road over INTERSTATE-395?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.