US Bridges

Route 169 over Blackwell Brook

Fair

Windham County, Connecticut · 5 Miles North of Route 14 · Structure no. 01419

Built
1927
98 years old, rebuilt 1987
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
44 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
2,300
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Route 169 over Blackwell Brook is a concrete tee beam carrying Route 169 over Blackwell Brook in Windham County, Connecticut. It was built in 1927 and reconstructed in 1987, so it is 98 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 2,300 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,418 by 2042. The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.9 mi (24 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRoute 169
CrossesBlackwell Brook
Location5 Miles North of Route 14
RouteState Highway 169
CountyWindham County
StateConnecticut
Coordinates41.76507, -71.95656
Functional classRural Major Collector

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 inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating91.9 US tons
Inventory rating49.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 15
Structure length44 ft (13.4 m)
Longest span38 ft (11.6 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,300 (2022)
Projected traffic3,418 by 2042
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed14.9 mi (24 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—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Route 169 over Blackwell Brook built?

It was built in 1927, making it 98 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1987.

What condition is Route 169 over Blackwell Brook 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Route 169 over Blackwell Brook carry?

About 2,300 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is Route 169 over Blackwell Brook?

The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long with a longest span of 38 ft (11.6 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Route 169 over Blackwell Brook?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.