US Bridges

Metro Center Drive over Airport Connector

Fair

Kent County, Rhode Island · 0.5 MI E of JCT I-95 · Structure no. 000000000007700

Built
1967
58 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
172 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
8,105
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Metro Center Drive over Airport Connector is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Metro Center Drive over Airport Connector in Kent County, Rhode Island. It was built in 1967, so it is 58 years old, older than the Rhode Island average of 54.5 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 8,105 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 8,916 by 2041. The structure is 172 ft (52.4 m) long and 39 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesMetro Center Drive
CrossesAirport Connector
Location0.5 MI E of JCT I-95
RouteCity Street 0
CountyKent County
StateRhode Island
Coordinates41.7268, -71.45481
Functional classUrban 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.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating62.5 US tons
Inventory rating48.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length172 ft (52.4 m)
Longest span85 ft (25.9 m)
Deck width39 ft (11.9 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic8,105 (2021)
Projected traffic8,916 by 2041
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$14.1 million (2020 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Metro Center Drive over Airport Connector built?

It was built in 1967, making it 58 years old in 2025.

What condition is Metro Center Drive over Airport Connector 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does Metro Center Drive over Airport Connector carry?

About 8,105 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is Metro Center Drive over Airport Connector?

The structure is 172 ft (52.4 m) long with a longest span of 85 ft (25.9 m) and a deck 39 ft wide.

Who owns Metro Center Drive over Airport Connector?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.