US Bridges

Spicer Road over Five Mile River

Poor

Windham County, Connecticut · 0.5 MI East of E Thompson · Structure no. 04799

Built
1972
53 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected July 2024
Type
Culvert
Steel
Length
27 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
275
2024 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

Spicer Road over Five Mile River is a steel culvert carrying Spicer Road over Five Mile River in Windham County, Connecticut. It was built in 1972, so it is 53 years old, younger than the Connecticut average of 56.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 3 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 275 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 409 by 2044. The structure is 27 ft (8.1 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSpicer Road
CrossesFive Mile River
Location0.5 MI East of E Thompson
RouteCity Street 0
CountyWindham County
StateConnecticut
Coordinates41.98661, -71.81524
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Culvert3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
Last inspectionJuly 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating107.1 US tons
Inventory rating107.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialSteel
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length27 ft (8.1 m)
Longest span11 ft (3.4 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic275 (2024)
Projected traffic409 by 2044
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 Spicer Road over Five Mile River built?

It was built in 1972, making it 53 years old in 2025.

What condition is Spicer Road over Five Mile River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in July 2024.

How much traffic does Spicer Road over Five Mile River carry?

About 275 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Spicer Road over Five Mile River?

The structure is 27 ft (8.1 m) long with a longest span of 11 ft (3.4 m).

Who owns Spicer Road over Five Mile River?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.