US Bridges

Palmer Neck Road over AMTRAK Railroad

Fair

New London County, Connecticut · 0.8 MI S of US Route 1 · Structure no. 05526

Built
1926
99 years old, rebuilt 1987
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Slab
Prestressed Concrete
Length
36 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,100
2024 count
Owner
Unknown
Unknown

About this bridge

Palmer Neck Road over AMTRAK Railroad is a prestressed concrete slab carrying Palmer Neck Road over AMTRAK Railroad in New London County, Connecticut. It was built in 1926 and reconstructed in 1987, so it is 99 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 1,100 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,634 by 2044. The structure is 36 ft (10.9 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesPalmer Neck Road
CrossesAMTRAK Railroad
Location0.8 MI S of US Route 1
RouteCity Street 0
CountyNew London County
StateConnecticut
Coordinates41.34831, -71.87882
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating85.8 US tons
Inventory rating51.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length36 ft (10.9 m)
Longest span33 ft (10.2 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.5 m)
Roadway width21 ft (6.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,100 (2024)
Projected traffic1,634 by 2044
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerUnknown
Maintained byOther Local Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Palmer Neck Road over AMTRAK Railroad built?

It was built in 1926, making it 99 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1987.

What condition is Palmer Neck Road over AMTRAK Railroad 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 January 2024.

How much traffic does Palmer Neck Road over AMTRAK Railroad carry?

About 1,100 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Palmer Neck Road over AMTRAK Railroad?

The structure is 36 ft (10.9 m) long with a longest span of 33 ft (10.2 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Palmer Neck Road over AMTRAK Railroad?

It is owned by the Unknown and maintained by the Other Local Agency.