US Bridges

Darling Road over Eight Mile River

Fair

New London County, Connecticut · 1.9 MI W of Route 156 · Structure no. 04767

Built
1935
90 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
52 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
836
2023 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

Darling Road over Eight Mile River is a concrete tee beam carrying Darling Road over Eight Mile River in New London County, Connecticut. It was built in 1935, so it is 90 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 836 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,242 by 2043. The structure is 52 ft (15.9 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesDarling Road
CrossesEight Mile River
Location1.9 MI W of Route 156
RouteCity Street 0
CountyNew London County
StateConnecticut
Coordinates41.44259, -72.30629
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.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating78 US tons
Inventory rating46.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length52 ft (15.9 m)
Longest span45 ft (13.7 m)
Deck width23 ft (7.1 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic836 (2023)
Projected traffic1,242 by 2043
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerTown or Township Highway Agency
Maintained byTown or Township Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Darling Road over Eight Mile River built?

It was built in 1935, making it 90 years old in 2025.

What condition is Darling Road over Eight Mile 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does Darling Road over Eight Mile River carry?

About 836 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Darling Road over Eight Mile River?

The structure is 52 ft (15.9 m) long with a longest span of 45 ft (13.7 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns Darling Road over Eight Mile River?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.