INTERSTATE-84

over CONNECTICUT RIVER

1 MI EAST OF I-91, Hartford County, Connecticut

Condition

Fair

Year Built

1906

Daily Traffic

144,200

Length

108 ft

About This Bridge

INTERSTATE-84 carries traffic over CONNECTICUT RIVER in Hartford County, Connecticut. Built in 1906, this structure is 120 years old, making it a historic structure that has served the community for generations. The bridge features masonry construction with a arch - deck design, a combination chosen by engineers to meet the specific requirements of this crossing.

Approximately 144,200 vehicles cross this bridge daily, making it a high-traffic corridor critical to regional transportation. Bridges carrying this volume require enhanced inspection schedules and proactive maintenance programs. Commercial trucks account for 14% 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 108 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

Deck Condition

N/A

6

Superstructure

Satisfactory

5

Substructure

Fair

5

Channel & Protection

Fair

5

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 5 indicates some deterioration that warrants monitoring but doesn't affect structural integrity.

For a structure built in 1906, this condition level is expected given the bridge's age and usage patterns. High traffic volumes on a bridge in fair or poor condition typically elevate its priority for rehabilitation or replacement in state transportation planning.

Bridge Details

Masonry is the primary structural material, which influences maintenance requirements and expected lifespan. The arch - deck 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 Built1906
Year Reconstructed1964
MaterialMasonry
Design TypeArch - Deck
OwnerState Highway Agency

Dimensions

Total Length108 ft (32.8 m)
Max Span12 ft (3.6 m)
Deck Width12 ft
Deck Area12,059 sq ft

Span dimensions affect structural design choices and load distribution. The deck area of 12,059 sq ft determines surface maintenance scope.

Classification

Route TypeInterstate
Route Number84
Lanes On Bridge8
Lanes Under Bridge

Status

Toll BridgeNo
Historical SignificanceOn National Register of Historic Places
Scour CriticalNo
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.

144,200

Avg Daily Traffic (2018)

Vehicles per day crossing this bridge

14%

Truck Traffic

Commercial vehicle percentage

214,267

Projected Future ADT

Estimated future demand

This bridge carries approximately 144,200 vehicles per day, translating to roughly 52,633,000 crossings annually. This high volume places significant demands on the structure and necessitates frequent inspections.

Commercial trucks comprise 14% 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 214,267 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

9.0 tons

Maximum allowable load for special permits

Inventory Rating

3.1 tons

Load level for normal traffic

The operating rating of 9.0 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

Declining

Condition has declined by 1.0 rating points since 2020

Data: 2020-2024 FHWA National Bridge Inventory

Location

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42.051111, -74.202222

Identification

Structure Number00980A
NBI IDCT-00980A
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.

INTERSTATE-84 over CONNECTICUT RIVER, Connecticut — Bridge Condition | BridgeReport.org | BridgeReport.org