ROUTE 15 NORTHBOUN

over I-91 NB RT 2 CT RIVER RR

0.3 MI NORTH OF I-91 NB, Hartford County, Connecticut

Condition

Fair

Year Built

1991

Daily Traffic

41,350

Length

337 ft

About This Bridge

ROUTE 15 NORTHBOUN carries traffic over I-91 NB RT 2 CT RIVER RR in Hartford County, Connecticut. Built in 1991, this structure is 35 years old, built during a period of significant highway expansion. The bridge features steel continuous construction with a stringer/multi-beam or girder design, a combination chosen by engineers to meet the specific requirements of this crossing.

Approximately 41,350 vehicles cross this bridge daily, representing moderate traffic volumes typical of important regional connectors. This level of usage requires regular monitoring to ensure continued safe operation. Commercial trucks account for 8% of all crossings. This proportion of commercial traffic is typical for this roadway classification and is factored into the bridge's design load ratings.

The bridge is currently rated in fair condition based on federal inspection criteria established by the Federal Highway Administration. The structure meets current safety standards for its designated use and load capacity. With a total length of 337 feet, this structure falls within the typical range requiring standard inspection procedures conducted by certified bridge inspectors.

The construction materials used in this bridge were selected based on engineering requirements, cost considerations, and local conditions at the time of construction.

Federal law requires that all highway bridges be inspected at least every 24 months by qualified inspectors following the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS). Some bridges with known issues or unusual characteristics may be inspected more frequently. Inspection data is reported to the National Bridge Inventory, a database maintained by the Federal Highway Administration that tracks the condition of all public highway bridges in the United States. This bridge data is sourced from that federal database and reflects the most recent available inspection results.

Condition Ratings

7

Deck Condition

Good

7

Superstructure

Good

6

Substructure

Satisfactory

6

Channel & Protection

Satisfactory

6

Lowest Rating

Determines condition category

NBI condition ratings range from 0 (failed) to 9 (excellent). Ratings of 4 or below are considered poor. The overall condition category is determined by the lowest individual component rating.

The fair condition rating of 6 indicates satisfactory condition with minor section loss or deterioration.

For a structure built in 1991, this condition level is expected given the bridge's age and usage patterns.

Bridge Details

Steel Continuous is the primary structural material, which influences maintenance requirements and expected lifespan. The stringer/multi-beam or girder design was selected based on span requirements, load capacity needs, and site conditions at the time of construction. Maintenance responsibility falls to State Highway Agency.

Construction

Year Built1991
Year Reconstructed2022
MaterialSteel Continuous
Design TypeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
OwnerState Highway Agency

Dimensions

Total Length337 ft (102.8 m)
Max Span31 ft (9.3 m)
Deck Width5 ft
Deck Area16,548 sq ft

Span dimensions affect structural design choices and load distribution. The deck area of 16,548 sq ft determines surface maintenance scope.

Classification

Route TypeState Highway
Route Number15
Lanes On Bridge2
Lanes Under Bridge14

Status

Toll BridgeNo
Historical SignificanceNot eligible
Scour Critical8
Detour Length1 mi (2 km)

Traffic Data

Traffic volume data helps engineers assess bridge wear patterns and plan maintenance schedules. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) counts are updated periodically and represent typical weekday usage.

41,350

Avg Daily Traffic (2015)

Vehicles per day crossing this bridge

8%

Truck Traffic

Commercial vehicle percentage

61,442

Projected Future ADT

Estimated future demand

This bridge carries approximately 41,350 vehicles per day, translating to roughly 15,092,750 crossings annually. This moderate traffic level is typical for regional connectors.

Commercial trucks comprise 8% of traffic. Heavy vehicles cause disproportionate wear—a single fully loaded truck can have the impact of thousands of passenger cars on bridge deck surfaces.

Traffic projections estimate future volumes of 61,442 vehicles daily, a 49% increase from current levels. These projections inform capacity planning and potential upgrade requirements.

Load Ratings

Load ratings determine what weight this bridge can safely support. These values are critical for routing heavy vehicles and issuing overweight permits.

Operating Rating

5.2 tons

Maximum allowable load for special permits

Inventory Rating

3.1 tons

Load level for normal traffic

The operating rating of 5.2 tons represents the absolute maximum load this bridge can carry under controlled conditions with special permits. The inventory rating of 3.1 tons is the safe load limit for everyday traffic without restrictions. These relatively low ratings may result in posted weight limits or route restrictions for heavy vehicles.

5-Year Condition Trend

Improving

Condition has improved by 3.0 rating points since 2020

Status Changes

  • Reconstructed in 2022
  • Exited poor condition in 2021
  • No longer structurally deficient as of 2021

Data: 2020-2024 FHWA National Bridge Inventory

Location

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42.046667, -73.053056

Identification

Structure Number06000A
NBI IDCT-06000A
State FIPS09
County FIPS003

Explore More

Data Source: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) National Bridge Inventory 2024

Bridge inspection data is typically updated every 24 months. Conditions may have changed since the last inspection.

“Structurally deficient” does not mean a bridge is unsafe or likely to collapse. It indicates that one or more key structural elements are in poor or worse condition. Bridges are inspected regularly and may have load restrictions in place.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used for route clearance or vehicle weight decisions.

ROUTE 15 NORTHBOUN over I-91 NB RT 2 CT RIVER RR | Connecticut