US Bridges

Merrow Road over Willimantic River

Fair

Tolland County, Connecticut · 750 Ft from JCT Route 32 · Structure no. 04631

Built
1956
69 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
94 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
700
2020 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

Merrow Road over Willimantic River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Merrow Road over Willimantic River in Tolland County, Connecticut. It was built in 1956, so it is 69 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 5 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 700 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,040 by 2040. The structure is 94 ft (28.7 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesMerrow Road
CrossesWillimantic River
Location750 Ft from JCT Route 32
RouteCity Street 0
CountyTolland County
StateConnecticut
Coordinates41.82417, -72.31332
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating73.9 US tons
Inventory rating44.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length94 ft (28.7 m)
Longest span88 ft (26.8 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.8 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic700 (2020)
Projected traffic1,040 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 Merrow Road over Willimantic River built?

It was built in 1956, making it 69 years old in 2025.

What condition is Merrow Road over Willimantic 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does Merrow Road over Willimantic River carry?

About 700 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Merrow Road over Willimantic River?

The structure is 94 ft (28.7 m) long with a longest span of 88 ft (26.8 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Merrow Road over Willimantic River?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.