Preserving Connecticut’s Bridges THE CONDITION AND FUNDING NEEDS OF CONNECTICUT’S AGING BRIDGE SYSTEM SEPTEMBER 2018 WWW.TRIPNET.ORG Founded in 1971, TRIP ® of Washington, DC, is a nonprofit organization that researches, evaluates and distributes economic and technical data on surface transportation issues. TRIP is sponsored by insurance companies, equipment manufacturers, distributors and suppliers; businesses involved in highway and transit engineering and construction; labor unions; and organizations concerned with efficient and safe surface transportation. Executive Summary Connecticut’s bridges are a critical element of the state’s transportation system, supporting commerce, economic vitality and personal mobility. As the backbone of the state’s economy, Connecticut’s transportation system enables the state’s residents and visitors to travel to work and school, visit family and friends, and frequent tourist and recreation attractions, while providing its businesses with reliable access to customers, materials, suppliers and employees. As vehicle travel increases, maintaining Connecticut’s aging transportation network, including its bridges, will become more difficult. A significant number of Connecticut’s bridges have surpassed or are approaching 50 years old, which is typically the initial intended design life for bridges of that age. In fact, 59 percent of the state’s bridges are 50 years or older, the fourth highest rate in the nation. The average age of all Connecticut’s bridges is 53 years, while the average age of the state’s more than 300 structurally deficient bridges is 69 years. The cost of repairing and preserving bridges increases as they age and as they reach the end of their intended design life. To retain businesses, accommodate population and economic growth, maintain economic competitiveness, and achieve further economic growth, Connecticut will need to maintain and modernize its bridges by repairing or replacing deficient bridges and providing needed maintenance on other bridges to ensure that they remain in good condition as long as possible. Making needed improvements to Connecticut’s bridges will require increased and reliable funding from local, state and federal governments, which will also provide a significant boost to the state’s economy by creating jobs in the short term and stimulating long term economic growth as a result of preserved and enhanced mobility and access. 1 POPULATION AND VEHICLE TRAVEL GROWTH Increased demands on Connecticut’s major roads, highways and bridges, leads to additional wear and tear on its transportation system. • Connecticut’s population reached approximately 3.6 million residents in 2017, a five percent increase since 2000. Connecticut had 2.6 million licensed drivers in 2016. • Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in Connecticut increased three percent from 2000 to 2016, from 30.8 million VMT to 31.6 million VMT. From 2013 to 2016 VMT increased two percent. By 2030, vehicle travel in Connecticut is projected to increase by ten percent. • From 2000 to 2016, Connecticut’s gross domestic product (GDP), a measure of the state’s economic output, increased by nine percent, when adjusted for inflation. U.S. GDP increased by 30 percent from 2000 to 2016, when adjusted for inflation. CONNECTICUT BRIDGE CONDITIONS More than three hundred of locally and state-maintained bridges in Connecticut are structurally deficient, meaning there is significant deterioration to the major components of the bridge. • There are a total of 4,254 bridges in Connecticut that are 20 feet or longer. These bridges are maintained by local and state agencies. • Three hundred and eight of Connecticut’s state-and locally maintained bridges are structurally deficient. • Structurally deficient bridges in Connecticut are crossed daily by 4.3 million vehicles. • Bridges that are structurally deficient may be posted for lower weight limits or closed if their condition warrants such action. Deteriorated bridges can have a significant impact on daily life. Restrictions on vehicle weight may cause many vehicles – especially emergency vehicles, commercial trucks, school buses and farm equipment – to use alternate routes to avoid weight-restricted bridges. Redirected trips also lengthen travel time, waste fuel and reduce the efficiency of the local economy. • The condition of the bridge deck, substructure and superstructure are inspected typically every two years and rated on a score of 1-9. A bridge is deemed structurally deficient if at least one component receives a score of four or lower. The actual prioritization for repair or replacement of deficient bridges is at the discretion of state or local transportation agencies. • A significant number of Connecticut’s bridges have surpassed or are approaching 50 years old, which is typically the initial intended design life for bridges of that age. Fifty-nine percent of the state’s bridges are 50 years or older. The average age of all Connecticut’s bridges is 53 years, while the average age of the state’s more than 300 structurally deficient bridges is 69 years. The cost of repairing and preserving bridges increases as they age and as they reach the end of their initial intended design life. 2 • The chart below details the number and share of structurally deficient bridges in each Connecticut county and statewide. Total Bridges FAIRFIELD HARTFORD LITCHFIELD MIDDLESEX NEW HAVEN NEW LONDON TOLLAND WINDHAM CONNECTICUT • • 838 901 451 303 870 421 204 266 4,254 Number Structurally Deficient 61 65 39 22 60 32 12 17 308 The list below details the 25 most heavily traveled structurally deficient bridges in Hartford County (carrying a minimum of 500 vehicles per day). ADT is average daily traffic. The report appendix includes each bridge’s rating score for deck, superstructure and substructure. Rank County Town Facility Carried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford South Windsor East Hartford Hartford Hartford Farmington Hartford Marlborough Bristol Hartford Farmington East Hartford Hartford Manchester Hartford New Britain Simsbury Bloomfield Hartford INTERSTATE-84 INTERSTATE-84 WB INTERSTATE-84 EB INTERSTATE-84 EB INTERSTATE-84 EAST INTERSTATE-84 EB INTERSTATE-84 WB I-291 & KING ST. INTERSTATE-84 EB INTERSTATE-91 NB I-91 SB & TR 835 INTERSTATE 84 EAST SR 530 -AIRPORT RD ROUTE 2 WESTBOUND MEMORIAL BLVD. SR 598 EASTBOUND ROUTE 177 I-84 TR 829 I-84 TR 826 ROUTE 83 I-91 TR 840 ROUTE 71 ROUTE 10 ROUTE 178 SIGOURNEY STREET Features Intersected Location HARTFORD COUNTY MARKET STREET & I-91 NB EAST END I-91 & I-84 INT AMTRAK RR & LOCAL ROADS .13 MI O/MYRTLE STREET AMTRAK RR & LOCAL ROADS .86 W OF EXIT TO I-91 SB BROAD ST, I-84 RAMP 191 1.17 MI S OF JCT US 44 WB NEW PARK AV,AMTRAK,SR504 NEW PARK AV,AMTRAK,SR504 AMTRAK;LOCAL RDS;PARKING EASTBOUND AMTRAK;LOCAL RDS;PARKING .82 MI N OF JCT SR 504 SB PODUNK RIVER 0.25 MILES WEST OF U.S. 5 ROUTE 15 1.36M E OF JCT US 44 EB PARK RIVER & CSO RR AT EXIT 29A CONNECTICUT SOUTHERN RR AT EXIT 29A US RTE 6 EB & SR 531 WB AT EXIT 38 ROUTE 15 422 FT E OF I-91 WEST ROAD 2 MI W OF RT 66 PEQUABUCK RIVER AT EAST END OF BOULEVARD NO NOTABLE FEATURE ACCESS TO I-91S FROM 598E FARMINGTON RIVER 0.2 MI S FROM ROUTE 4 JCT I-84 EB & I-84 TR 828 .20 MI E OF HARTFORD TL CONNECTICUT RIVER EXIT 51 I-84 WB TO I-91NB INTERSTATE-384 1.6 MILE N GLASTONBURY TL I-91 NB,US44 EB,RR,CT RV ACCESS I-84EB FROM 1-91SB HERALD SQ,COLUMUS BL, RR NEAR LAQUINTA INN, POLICE HOP BROOK 0.1 MI SOUTH OF ROUTE 167 BEAMAN BROOK 1.2 MI EAST OF ROUTE 189 CAPITOL AVE & AMTRAK U I-84 (BRG 3160A&B) Year Built Lanes ADT Open/Posted/ Closed 1961 1964 1966 1966 1967 1965 1965 1958 1987 1964 1958 1969 1964 1966 1921 1964 1939 1964 1964 1970 1961 1971 1957 1915 1964 4 5 4 3 3 3 4 8 3 2 5 4 5 2 3 3 2 3 1 5 1 6 2 2 6 125,700 88,900 76,450 71,450 69,000 66,450 66,150 64,100 51,950 48,200 46,450 40,700 27,200 20,700 17,747 17,400 16,500 16,000 15,100 15,000 14,500 13,900 13,056 12,000 11,130 Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open The following 25 structurally deficient bridges in Hartford County (carrying a minimum of 500 vehicles per day) have the lowest individual score for either deck, substructure or superstructure. Each major component of a bridge is rated on a scale of zero to nine, with a score of four or below indicating poor condition. If a bridge receives a rating of four or below for its deck, substructure or superstructure, it is rated as structurally deficient. The report appendix includes each bridge’s rating score for deck, superstructure and substructure. 3 • Rank Town 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Bloomfield South Windsor Bloomfield Bristol Southington Hartford Hartford Hartford New Britain West Hartford Manchester Avon Marlborough Enfield Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Bristol Hartford East Hartford Hartford Hartford New Britain Facility Carried ROUTE 189 MAIN STREET ROUTE 178 MELLEN STREET SPRING STREET INTERSTATE-84 INTERSTATE-84 EB INTERSTATE-91 NB SR 555 (WEST MAIN NORTH MAIN STREET HARTFORD ROAD OLD FARMS ROAD JONES HOLLOW ROAD SOUTH RIVER STREET INTERSTATE-84 EB INTERSTATE-84 EAST INTERSTATE-84 WB I-91 SB & TR 835 SR 530 -AIRPORT RD MEMORIAL BLVD. SR 598 EASTBOUND I-84 TR 829 I-84 TR 826 I-91 TR 840 ROUTE 71 Features Intersected Location Hartford County WASH BROOK 0.4 MILE NORTH OF RTE 178 PODUNK RIVER 0.5 MILES SOUTH OF I-291 BEAMAN BROOK 1.2 MI EAST OF ROUTE 189 PEQUABUCK RIVER 300 FT SOUTH OF ROUTE 72 QUINNIPIAC RIVER 0.6 MI W. OF ROUTE 10 MARKET STREET & I-91 NB EAST END I-91 & I-84 INT AMTRAK;LOCAL RDS;PARKING EASTBOUND PARK RIVER & CSO RR AT EXIT 29A PAN AM SOUTHERN RAILROAD 0.4 MILE EAST OF RTE 372 WEST BRANCH TROUT BROOK 0.3 MILE NORTH OF FERN ST SOUTH FORK HOCKANUM RIV 2000 FT EAST OF SR 502 FARMINGTON RIVER 500 FEET WEST OF ROUTE 10 BLACKLEDGE RIVER 3.6 MILES NORTH OF RTE 66 FRESHWATER BROOK 50 FT N OF ASNUNTUCK ST BROAD ST, I-84 RAMP 191 1.17 MI S OF JCT US 44 WB NEW PARK AV,AMTRAK,SR504 NEW PARK AV,AMTRAK,SR504 AMTRAK;LOCAL RDS;PARKING .82 MI N OF JCT SR 504 SB CONNECTICUT SOUTHERN RR AT EXIT 29A ROUTE 15 422 FT E OF I-91 PEQUABUCK RIVER AT EAST END OF BOULEVARD NO NOTABLE FEATURE ACCESS TO I-91S FROM 598E I-84 EB & I-84 TR 828 .20 MI E OF HARTFORD TL CONNECTICUT RIVER EXIT 51 I-84 WB TO I-91NB I-91 NB,US44 EB,RR,CT RV ACCESS I-84EB FROM 1-91SB HERALD SQ,COLUMUS BL, RR NEAR LAQUINTA INN, POLICE Year Lanes Built 1916 1907 1915 1956 1960 1961 1965 1964 1930 1901 1875 1950 1929 1920 1966 1967 1965 1958 1964 1921 1964 1964 1964 1961 1971 2 2 2 2 2 4 3 2 3 4 2 2 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 3 3 3 1 1 6 ADT Open/Posted/ Closed 9,800 1,510 12,000 2,920 3,866 125,700 66,450 48,200 10,600 10,280 5,610 4,999 1,255 1,016 71,450 69,000 66,150 46,450 27,200 17,747 17,400 16,000 15,100 14,500 13,900 Open Posted Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open The chart below details the most heavily traveled structurally deficient bridges in Fairfield, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London, Tolland and Windham Counties (carrying a minimum of 500 vehicles per day). ADT is average daily traffic. The report appendix includes each bridge’s rating score for deck, superstructure and substructure. Rank Town 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Norwalk Greenwich Westport Stamford Westport Shelton Newtown Newtown Greenwich Bridgeport 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 New Milford Thomaston Thomaston Thomaston Litchfield Winchester Torrington Winchester New Milford Winchester Facility Carried Features Intersected Location FAIRFIELD COUNTY NORWALK RV,HENDRICKS AVE BETWEEN EXITS 15 & 16 BYRAM RIVER,S WATER ST I95 AT N Y STATE LINE ROUTE 33 I-95 AT EXIT NO. 17 MNRR & LOCAL ROADS 0.2 MI EAST OF EXIT 8 NB SAUGATUCK RIVER BETWEEN EXIT 41 & EXIT 42 HOUSATONIC RIVER, RT 110 ROUTE 8, EXIT 14 HOUSATONIC RIVER OVER HOUSATONIC RIVER POLE BRIDGE BROOK 2.1 MI E OF ROUTE 34 BYRAM RIVER BET. EXIT 2 & 3 STILLMAN PD BRK&RR SP 0.6 MI N OF ROUTE 127 LITCHFIELD COUNTY US 202 & RT. 67 HOUSATONIC RIVER AT INT OF ROUTE 7 & 202 ROUTE 8 SOUTHBOUND REYNOLDS BRIDGE ROAD 0.1 MI NORTH WATERTOWN TL ROUTE 8 SOUTHBOUND NAUGATUCK RIVER & R.R. .1 MI NORTH OF EXIT 38 ROUTE 8 NORTHBOUND NAUGATUCK RIVER & R.R. .1 MI NORTH ROUTE 109 US ROUTE 202 BANTAM RIVER .75 MI E OF JCT RTE 63 BRIDGE STREET MAD RIVER INTERSECTION OF ROUTE 44 NEWFIELD ROAD E BR NAUGATUCK RIVER 2 MI NORTH OF ROUTE 8 SR 800 MAD RIVER 100 FEET SOUTH OF U.S. 44 WELLSVILLE AVENUE EAST ASPETUCK RIVER 0.3 MI S OF PAPER MILL RD HOLABIRD AVENUE STILL RIVER 250 FT EAST OF ROUTE 8 INTERSTATE-95 INTERSTATE-95 INTERSTATE-95 I-95 & I-95 RAMPS ROUTE 15 ROUTE 8 INTERSTATE 84 EAST I-84 WB INTERSTATE 684 NB US ROUTE 1 Year Built Lanes ADT Open/Posted/ Closed 1957 1958 1957 1958 1938 1951 1953 1979 1968 1910 8 6 8 7 4 6 2 3 3 3 145,000 131,600 129,900 127,300 69,900 64,640 36,650 36,650 33,750 26,900 Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open 1953 1964 1966 1966 1931 1956 1957 1928 1937 1955 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 30,800 16,500 12,250 12,250 7,900 5,098 4,734 4,200 4,098 3,120 Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Posted Closed 4 • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Middletown Middletown Durham Essex Middletown East Haddam Haddam Deep River Old Saybrook Middletown 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 West Haven New Haven New Haven Waterbury Branford Waterbury Waterbury Orange Waterbury Southbury 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 East Lyme New London Norwich Stonington Waterford Groton Groton Colchester Montville Griswold 1 2 3 4 5 6 Willington Stafford Union Willington Vernon Coventry 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Plainfield Windham Windham Windham Windham Sterling Sterling Thompson Putnam Scotland MIDDLESEX COUNTY P&W RAILROAD & UNION ST 0.2 MI N OF ROUTE 17 P&W RR RT9 CONN RIVER 0.25 MI W OF ROUTE 9 ALLYNS BROOK 0.6 MI N. OF ROUTE 79 ROUTE 153 & ROUTE 154 3.1 MI S OF ROUTE 80 SUMNER BROOK 430 FT N OF ROUTE 17 CONNECTICUT RIVER 0.1 MILE WEST OF RTE. 149 ROARING BROOK 100 FT N OF ROUTE 82 DEEP RIVER 1.1 MI W OF ROUTE 9 BACK RIVER 0.8 MI S OF US ROUTE 1 P & W RAILROAD 0.1 MI SOUTH OF ROUTE 157 NEW HAVEN COUNTY INTERSTATE-95 METRO NORTH 0.23 MI NORTH OF FIRST AV INTERSTATE 91 N FRONT ST & QUINN RIVER 2.3 MI N OF I-95 INTERSTATE-91 AMTRAK RAILROAD 0.2 MI S OF ROUTE 17 INTERSTATE-84 MAD RIVER .3 MILE EAST OF EXIT 23 INTERSTATE-95 US ROUTE 1 AT I-95 EXIT NO. 55 INTERSTATE-84 EB I-84WB,RTE8,NAUGATUCK RV I-84 EXIT 20 INTERSTATE-84 WB RTE 8, NAUGATUCK RIVER WATERBURY LOWER LEVEL ROUTE 34 WEPAWAUG RIVER 0.3 MI E OF ROUTE 15 ROUTE 8 SOUTHBOUND RIVERSIDE ST-SUNNYSIDE ROUTE 8 SOUTH OF I-84 INTERSTATE 84 WB US RTE 6, RTE 67, STREAM I-84 WB EXIT NO. 15 NEW LONDON COUNTY INTERSTATE-95 ROUTE 161 0.4 MI S OF US ROUTE 1 INTERSTATE 95 NORT THAMES RV,RR,LOCAL ROADS 1.04 MI S OF N JCT US1 EB INTERSTATE 395 RTE 97 & SHETUCKET RIVER JCT of I-395 & ROUTE 97 US ROUTE 1 PAWCATUCK RIVER CT AND RI BORDER INTERSTATE-395 ROUTE 85 I-395 EXIT NO. 77 ROUTE 349 NB AMTRAK RAILROAD 1 MILE S OF INTERSTATE-95 ROUTE 349 SB AMTRAK 0.9 MI S OF I-95 ROUTE 2 EASTBOUND ROUTE 85 0.7 MI E OF ROUTE 16 NEW LONDON TPKE TRADING COVE BROOK 0.2 MI N OF ROUTE 32 ROUTE 138 INTERSTATE-395 0.3 MI EAST OF ROUTE 164 TOLLAND COUNTY ROUTE 32 SO BRANCH ROARING BROOK 0.2 MILE NORTH OF I-84 LEONARD ROAD FURNACE BROOK 130 FT FROM JCT ROUTE 19 ROUTE 171 INTERSTATE-84 0.5 MI FR MASS STATE LINE POTTER SCHOOL ROAD INTERSTATE 84 .76 MI W OF ASHFORD TL. PLEASANTVIEW DRIVE HOCKANUM RIVER 900 FT WEST OF ROUTE 83 FLANDERS RIVER RD HOP RIVER 300 FT NORTH OF RT 66 WINDHAM COUNTY INTERSTATE-395 MOOSUP RIVER & ROUTE 14 2.4 MI NORTH OF ROUTE 14A ROUTE 66 PROVIDENCE&WORCESTER RR RTE 66 0.4 MI W ROUTE 32 ROUTE 66 NEW ENGLAND CENTRAL RR 0.3 MI WEST OF JCT RTE 32 ROUTE 66 NATCHAUG RIVER .5 MI EAST JCT 195 & 14 PLAINS ROAD SHETUCKET RIVER 0.6 MILE EAST OF ROUTE 32 ROUTE 14 MOOSUP RIVER 100' WEST OF MAIN STR. ROUTE 14A CEDAR SWAMP BROOK 1.4 M EAST OF ROUTE 49 EB BUCKLEY HILL ROAD FRENCH RIVER 0.1 MI SOUTH OF ROUTE 12 WOODSTOCK AVE #1 LITTLE RIVER 1050'SOUTH OF ROUTE 171 ROUTE 14 MERRICK BROOK .1 MILE WEST OF ROUTE 97 ROUTE 9 ROUTE 66 ROUTE 17 ROUTE 9 NORTHBOUND MAIN STREET EXT. ROUTE 82 ROUTE 154 ROUTE 80 ROUTE 154 WEST STREET 1950 1938 1995 1966 1935 1913 1931 1916 1935 1932 4 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 51,200 34,400 15,900 10,850 9,890 9,517 9,400 6,200 4,600 4,225 Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Posted 1956 1964 1965 1960 1958 1967 1967 1855 1966 1963 6 8 9 4 4 2 3 4 2 2 136,400 133,900 133,900 108,800 85,300 65,750 65,750 34,400 30,850 30,600 Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open 1958 1943 1958 1932 1958 1966 1966 1966 1965 1958 5 5 4 2 4 3 3 2 2 2 67,500 58,300 43,300 26,000 24,500 11,350 11,200 10,700 8,008 8,000 Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open 1914 1976 1954 1960 1950 1910 2 2 2 2 2 2 8,900 2,081 1,800 1,105 1,040 725 Open Open Open Open Open Open 1958 1937 1938 1931 1947 1926 1928 1937 1937 1914 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 28,800 7,900 7,900 7,500 2,290 2,100 2,000 1,545 1,370 1,200 Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open The chart below details structurally deficient bridges in Fairfield, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London, Tolland and Windham Counties that have the lowest individual score for either deck, substructure or superstructure (carrying a minimum of 500 vehicles per day). Each major component of a bridge is rated on a scale of zero to nine, with a score of four or below indicating poor condition. If a bridge receives a rating of four or below for its deck, substructure or superstructure, it is rated as structurally deficient. The Appendix includes a list of bridges in each county (carrying a minimum of 500 vehicles per day) with the lowest average rating for deck, superstructure and substructure. The report appendix includes each bridge’s rating score for deck, superstructure and substructure. 5 Rank Town 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Facility Carried Features Intersected Location FAIRFIELD COUNTY HOUSATONIC RIVER, RT 110 ROUTE 8, EXIT 14 STILLMAN PD BRK&RR SP 0.6 MI N OF ROUTE 127 NOROTON RIVER 1/4 MI WEST OF ROUTE 106 HAVILAND BROOK 0.3 MI W OF ROUTE 137 SAUGATUCK RIVER BETWEEN EXIT 41 & EXIT 42 ASH CREEK 0.2 MILES WEST OF I-95 RIPPOWAM RIVER NEAR EXIT 7 I-95 NB EAST BRANCH MIANUS RIVER 0.9 MI N OF ROUTE 15 BYRAM RIVER BET. EXIT 2 & 3 HORSE TAVERN BROOK 1000 FT EAST OF ROUTE 59 LITCHFIELD COUNTY New Milford WELLSVILLE AVENUE EAST ASPETUCK RIVER 0.3 MI S OF PAPER MILL RD Winchester HOLABIRD AVENUE STILL RIVER 250 FT EAST OF ROUTE 8 Thomaston ROUTE 8 SOUTHBOUND NAUGATUCK RIVER & R.R. .1 MI NORTH OF EXIT 38 Thomaston ROUTE 8 NORTHBOUND NAUGATUCK RIVER & R.R. .1 MI NORTH ROUTE 109 New Milford MERRYALL ROAD WEST ASPETUCK RIVER JCT OF W MEETINGHOUSE RD Litchfield US ROUTE 202 BANTAM RIVER .75 MI E OF JCT RTE 63 Winchester SR 800 MAD RIVER 100 FEET SOUTH OF U.S. 44 Morris ROUTE 109 WIGWAM RESERVOIR ON THOMASTON TOWN LINE Torrington FRANKLIN STREET E BR NAUGATUCK RIVER APPRX 750'SOUTH OF RT 202 Plymouth NORTH MAIN STREET POLAND RIVER 100 FT WEST OF RTE 72 MIDDLESEX COUNTY Deep River ROUTE 80 DEEP RIVER 1.1 MI W OF ROUTE 9 Middleton ROUTE 66 P&W RR RT9 CONN RIVER 0.25 MI W OF ROUTE 9 Middleton MAIN STREET EXT. SUMNER BROOK 430 FT N OF ROUTE 17 Middleton WEST STREET P & W RAILROAD 0.1 MI SOUTH OF ROUTE 157 East Haddam ROUTE 82 CONNECTICUT RIVER 0.1 MILE WEST OF RTE. 149 Old Saybrook ROUTE 154 BACK RIVER 0.8 MI S OF US ROUTE 1 Middleton RUSSELL STREET SUMNER BROOK 150 FT W OF E MAIN ST Middleton RIVER ROAD #1 SUMNER BROOK 75 FT E OF ROUTE 9 Westbrook WILLARD AVENUE INTERSTATE-95 2.0 MI N OF ROUTE 145 Clinton PLEASANT VALLEY RD MENUNKETESUCK RIVER 0.5 MI W. OF ROUTE 145 NEW HAVEN COUNTY Waterbury ROUTE 8 NORTHBOUND ROUTE 8 SB & LOCAL ROADS ROUTE 8 SOUTH OF I-84 Meriden ROUTE 71 SODOM BROOK 0.8 MILE SOUTH OF I-691 North Haven SACKETT POINT ROAD QUINNIPIAC RIVER 0.6 MI E OF US ROUTE 5 Hamden WAITE STREET LAKE WHITNEY 0.2 MI EAST OF MATHER ST Wallingford NORTHFORD ROAD MUDDY RIVER 0.5 MI S OF I-91 Meriden COOPER STREET HARBOR BROOK 430 FT E OF ROUTE 71 Beacon Falls BEACON VALLEY ROAD BEACON HILL BROOK 0.3 MI S OF ROUTE 8 Waterbury INTERSTATE-84 EB I-84WB,RTE8,NAUGATUCK RV I-84 EXIT 20 Waterbury INTERSTATE-84 WB RTE 8, NAUGATUCK RIVER WATERBURY LOWER LEVEL Waterbury I-84 TR 809 ROUTE 8 NB,RIVERSIDE ST SB RTE 8 EXIT 31TO EB I84 NEW LONDON COUNTY Griswold SHELDON ROAD DOANVILLE POND 0.5 MI SOUTH OF ROUTE 138 Norwich SCOTLAND ROAD INTERSTATE-395 1.6 MILES NORTH OF SR 642 Griswold CAROL ROAD PACHAUG RIVER 100' EAST OF SHELDON ROAD Norwich SHERMAN STREET YANTIC RIVER 1 MILE WEST ROUTE 2 Salem ROUTE 82 EAST BR EIGHT MILE RIVER 0.8 MI W OF ROUTE 11 Stonington STILLMAN AVENUE PAWCATUCK RIVER 0.5 MI E OF ROUTE 2 Montville NEW LONDON TPKE TRADING COVE BROOK 0.2 MI N OF ROUTE 32 Norwich PLEASANT STREET YANTIC RIVER 70FT N OTROBANDO AVENUE Stonington ROUTE 234 ANGUILLA BROOK 2.6 MI E OF I-95 New London INTERSTATE 95 NORT THAMES RV,RR,LOCAL ROADS 1.04 MI S OF N JCT US1 EB Shelton Bridgeport New Canaan Stamford Westport Bridgeport Stamford Stamford Greenwhich Fairfield ROUTE 8 US ROUTE 1 JELLIFF MILL ROAD WIRE MILL ROAD ROUTE 15 STATE STREET EXTEN SR 790 (S. State St) RIVER BANK ROAD INTERSTATE 684 NB VALLEY ROAD Year Built Lanes 1951 1910 1950 1957 1938 1950 1847 1957 1968 1930 6 3 1 2 4 2 2 2 3 2 64,640 26,900 1,800 1,678 69,900 11,699 8,000 1,398 33,750 1,166 Open Open Open Posted Open Open Open Posted Open Open 1937 1955 1966 1966 1937 1931 1928 1938 1958 1931 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 4,098 3,120 12,250 12,250 630 7,900 4,200 2,700 2,622 2,570 Posted Closed Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Closed 1916 1938 1935 1932 1913 1935 1935 1920 1958 1930 2 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 6,200 34,400 9,890 4,225 9,517 4,600 3,172 2,698 2,360 884 Open Open Open Posted Open Open Open Open Open Open 1966 1930 1936 1935 1938 1892 1933 1967 1967 1966 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 1 25,450 14,600 13,936 3,122 2,354 1,082 2,210 65,750 65,750 11,915 Open Open Open Posted Open Open Open Open Open Open 1990 1958 1938 1920 1924 1953 1965 1969 1941 1943 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 5 510 1,850 510 5,025 3,100 5,084 8,008 950 7,000 58,300 Closed Open Open Posted Open Posted Open Open Open Open ADT Open/Posted/ Closed 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 Stafford Willington Union Willington Coventry Vernon LEONARD ROAD ROUTE 32 ROUTE 171 POTTER SCHOOL ROAD FLANDERS RIVER RD PLEASANTVIEW DRIVE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Windham Putnam Canterbury Windham Windham Sterling Thompson Scotland Windham Sterling ROUTE 66 WOODSTOCK AVE #1 WOODCHUCK HILL RD ROUTE 66 ROUTE 66 ROUTE 14 BUCKLEY HILL ROAD ROUTE 14 PLAINS ROAD ROUTE 14A TOLLAND COUNTY FURNACE BROOK 130 FT FROM JCT ROUTE 19 SO BRANCH ROARING BROOK 0.2 MILE NORTH OF I-84 INTERSTATE-84 0.5 MI FR MASS STATE LINE INTERSTATE 84 .76 MI W OF ASHFORD TL. HOP RIVER 300 FT NORTH OF RT 66 HOCKANUM RIVER 900 FT WEST OF ROUTE 83 WINDHAM COUNTY NATCHAUG RIVER .5 MI EAST JCT 195 & 14 LITTLE RIVER 1050'SOUTH OF ROUTE 171 LITTLE RIVER 50 FT E JCT HANOVER ROAD PROVIDENCE&WORCESTER RR RTE 66 0.4 MI W ROUTE 32 NEW ENGLAND CENTRAL RR 0.3 MI WEST OF JCT RTE 32 MOOSUP RIVER 100' WEST OF MAIN STR. FRENCH RIVER 0.1 MI SOUTH OF ROUTE 12 MERRICK BROOK .1 MILE WEST OF ROUTE 97 SHETUCKET RIVER 0.6 MILE EAST OF ROUTE 32 CEDAR SWAMP BROOK 1.4 M EAST OF ROUTE 49 EB 1976 1914 1954 1960 1910 1950 2 2 2 2 2 2 2,081 8,900 1,800 1,105 725 1,040 Open Open Open Open Open Open 1931 1937 1900 1937 1938 1926 1937 1914 1947 1928 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 7,500 1,370 1,112 7,900 7,900 2,100 1,545 1,200 2,290 2,000 Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open TRANSPORTATION FUNDING AND PRESERVING CONNECTICUT’S AGING BRIDGES Maintaining aging bridges becomes more costly as they reach the limits of their design life, challenging state and local transportation agencies to take an asset management approach to bridge preservation that emphasizes enhanced maintenance techniques that keep infrastructure in good condition as long as possible, delaying the need for costly reconstruction or replacement. • Repairing and replacing bridges in poor condition and preserving bridges in fair and good condition will require increased and reliable funding from local, state and federal governments. • A recent survey of states by the U.S. General Accountability Office (GAO) found that more than half of states surveyed (14 out of 24) reported that inadequate funding was a challenge to their ability to maintain bridges in a state of good repair. • Under pressure from fiscal constraints, aging bridges, and increased wear due to growing travel volume, particularly by large trucks, transportation agencies are adopting cost-effective strategies focused on keeping bridges in good condition as long as possible. While this strategy requires increased initial investment, it saves money over the long run by extending the lifespan of bridges. • The GAO Report found that the increase in the number and size of bridges that are approaching the limits of their design life will likely place a greater demand on bridge owners in the near future, making it more difficult to mitigate issues in a cost-effective manner. • A survey included in the GAO report found that more than half of states surveyed (13 out of 24) indicated that the advanced age of many bridges posed a challenge to their ability to maintain their bridges in a state of good repair. • Bridge preservation may include washing, sealing deck joints, facilitating drainage, sealing concrete, painting steel, removing channel debris, and protecting against stream erosion. 7 • Rehabilitation involves all major work required to restore the structural integrity of a bridge and raise the bridge's ratings to better than "poor" condition. Rehabilitation may also include superstructure replacements and bridge widening, as well as work necessary to correct major safety defects. • Replacement projects involve total replacement of a bridge to current standards. • The need to repair or replace high priority bridges may create a funding cycle that makes it difficult to keep pace with the needed preservation activities. TRANSPORTATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN CONNECTICUT The efficiency of Connecticut’s transportation system, particularly its roads, highways and bridges, is critical to the health of the state’s economy. Businesses rely on an efficient and dependable transportation system to move products and services. A key component in business efficiency and success is the level and ease of access to customers, markets, materials and workers. • Annually, $489 billion in goods are shipped to and from sites in Connecticut, largely by truck. • Businesses have responded to improved communications and greater competition by moving from a push-style distribution system, which relies on low-cost movement of bulk commodities and largescale warehousing, to a pull-style distribution system, which relies on smaller, more strategic and timesensitive movement of goods. • Increasingly, companies are looking at the quality of a region’s transportation system when deciding where to re-locate or expand. Regions with congested or poorly maintained roads may see businesses relocate to areas with a smoother, more efficient and more modern transportation system. Highway accessibility was ranked the number one site selection factor in a 2017 survey of corporate executives by Area Development Magazine. Labor costs and the availability of skilled labor, which are both impacted by a site's level of accessibility, were rated second and third, respectively. • The design, construction and maintenance of transportation infrastructure in Connecticut supports 38,364 full-time jobs across all sectors of the state economy. These workers earn $1.9 billion annually. Approximately 731,000 full-time jobs in Connecticut in key industries like tourism, retail sales, agriculture and manufacturing are completely dependent on the state’s transportation network. Sources of information for this report include the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the National Bridge Inventory (NBI), the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), and the U.S. Census Bureau. 8 INTRODUCTION Connecticut’s transportation system provides links for the state’s residents, visitors and businesses, providing daily access to homes, jobs, shopping, natural resources and recreation. Modernizing Connecticut’s transportation system, including its bridges, is critical to fostering quality of life and economic competitiveness in the Constitution State. Maintaining Connecticut’s aging network of bridges is becoming more challenging as the bridges age. A significant number of Connecticut’s bridges have surpassed or are approaching 50 years old, which is typically the intended design life for bridges of that age. Fifty-nine percent of the state’s bridges are 50 years or older, the fourth highest rate in the U.S. The average age of all Connecticut bridges is 53 years, while the average age of the state’s 308 structurally deficient bridges is 69 years. The cost of repairing and preserving bridges increases as they age and as they reach the end of their intended design life. The preservation and modernization of Connecticut’s transportation system plays an important role in retaining Connecticut’s economic competitiveness and improving its economic well-being by providing critically needed jobs in the short term and by improving the productivity and competitiveness of the state’s businesses in the long term. As Connecticut faces the challenge of preserving and modernizing its bridges, the future level of federal, state and local transportation funding will be a critical factor in whether the state’s residents and visitors continue to enjoy access to a safe and efficient transportation network. This report examines the condition and use of Connecticut’s bridges. Sources of information for this report include the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the National Bridge Inventory (NBI), the U.S. Census Bureau, and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT). POPULATION, TRAVEL AND ECONOMIC TRENDS IN CONNECTICUT Connecticut residents and businesses require a high level of personal and commercial mobility. To foster quality of life and spur economic growth in Connecticut, it will be critical that the state provide a safe and modern transportation system that can accommodate future growth in population, tourism, recreation and vehicle travel. 9 Connecticut’s population grew to approximately 3.6 million residents in 2017, a five percent increase since 2000. 1 Connecticut had approximately 2.6 million licensed drivers in 2016. 2 Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in Connecticut increased three percent from 2000 to 2016, from 30.8 billion VMT to 31.6 billion VMT in 2016. 3 From 2013 to 2016 VMT in Connecticut increased two percent. 4 Based on population and other lifestyle trends, TRIP estimates that travel on Connecticut’s roads and highways will increase by ten percent by 2030. 5 From 2000 to 2016, Connecticut’s gross domestic product (GDP), a measure of the state’s economic output, increased by nine percent, when adjusted for inflation. 6 U.S. GDP increased by 30 percent from 2000 to 2016, when adjusted for inflation. 7 BRIDGE CONDITIONS IN CONNECTICUT Connecticut’s bridges form key links in the state’s highway system, providing communities and individuals access to employment, schools, shopping and medical facilities, and facilitating commerce and access for emergency vehicles. Seven percent (308 of 4,254) of Connecticut’s locally and state-maintained bridges (20 feet or longer) are rated as structurally deficient. 8 Structurally deficient bridges in Connecticut are crossed daily by approximately 4.3 million vehicles. 9 A bridge is structurally deficient if there is significant deterioration of the bridge deck, supports or other major components. Bridges that are structurally deficient may be posted for lower weight limits or closed if their condition warrants such action. The condition of the bridge deck, substructure and superstructure are inspected typically every two years and rated on a score of 0-9. A bridge is deemed structurally deficient if at least one component receives a score of four or lower. The actual prioritization for repair or replacement of deficient bridges is at the discretion of state or local transportation agencies. Deteriorated bridges can have a significant impact on daily life. Restrictions on vehicle weight may cause many vehicles – especially emergency vehicles, commercial trucks, school buses and farm equipment – to use alternate routes to avoid weight-restricted bridges. Redirected trips also lengthen travel time, waste fuel and reduce the efficiency of the local economy. The chart below details the total number of bridges and the number of structurally deficient bridges in each Connecticut county and statewide. 10 Chart 1. Connecticut bridge conditions. Number Total Bridges Structurally Deficient FAIRFIELD 838 61 HARTFORD 901 65 LITCHFIELD 451 39 MIDDLESEX 303 22 NEW HAVEN 870 60 NEW LONDON 421 32 TOLLAND 204 12 WINDHAM 266 17 CONNECTICUT 4,254 308 Source: Federal Highway Administration National Bridge Inventory, 2017. The list below details the 25 most heavily traveled structurally deficient bridges in Hartford County (carrying a minimum of 500 vehicles per day). ADT is average daily traffic. The report appendix includes each bridge’s rating score for deck, superstructure and substructure. Chart 2. Hartford County structurally deficient bridges with highest average daily traffic. Rank County Town Facility Carried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford South Windsor East Hartford Hartford Hartford Farmington Hartford Marlborough Bristol Hartford Farmington East Hartford Hartford Manchester Hartford New Britain Simsbury Bloomfield Hartford INTERSTATE-84 INTERSTATE-84 WB INTERSTATE-84 EB INTERSTATE-84 EB INTERSTATE-84 EAST INTERSTATE-84 EB INTERSTATE-84 WB I-291 & KING ST. INTERSTATE-84 EB INTERSTATE-91 NB I-91 SB & TR 835 INTERSTATE 84 EAST SR 530 -AIRPORT RD ROUTE 2 WESTBOUND MEMORIAL BLVD. SR 598 EASTBOUND ROUTE 177 I-84 TR 829 I-84 TR 826 ROUTE 83 I-91 TR 840 ROUTE 71 ROUTE 10 ROUTE 178 SIGOURNEY STREET Features Intersected Location HARTFORD COUNTY MARKET STREET & I-91 NB EAST END I-91 & I-84 INT AMTRAK RR & LOCAL ROADS .13 MI O/MYRTLE STREET AMTRAK RR & LOCAL ROADS .86 W OF EXIT TO I-91 SB BROAD ST, I-84 RAMP 191 1.17 MI S OF JCT US 44 WB NEW PARK AV,AMTRAK,SR504 NEW PARK AV,AMTRAK,SR504 AMTRAK;LOCAL RDS;PARKING EASTBOUND AMTRAK;LOCAL RDS;PARKING .82 MI N OF JCT SR 504 SB PODUNK RIVER 0.25 MILES WEST OF U.S. 5 ROUTE 15 1.36M E OF JCT US 44 EB PARK RIVER & CSO RR AT EXIT 29A CONNECTICUT SOUTHERN RR AT EXIT 29A US RTE 6 EB & SR 531 WB AT EXIT 38 ROUTE 15 422 FT E OF I-91 WEST ROAD 2 MI W OF RT 66 PEQUABUCK RIVER AT EAST END OF BOULEVARD NO NOTABLE FEATURE ACCESS TO I-91S FROM 598E FARMINGTON RIVER 0.2 MI S FROM ROUTE 4 JCT I-84 EB & I-84 TR 828 .20 MI E OF HARTFORD TL CONNECTICUT RIVER EXIT 51 I-84 WB TO I-91NB INTERSTATE-384 1.6 MILE N GLASTONBURY TL I-91 NB,US44 EB,RR,CT RV ACCESS I-84EB FROM 1-91SB HERALD SQ,COLUMUS BL, RR NEAR LAQUINTA INN, POLICE HOP BROOK 0.1 MI SOUTH OF ROUTE 167 BEAMAN BROOK 1.2 MI EAST OF ROUTE 189 CAPITOL AVE & AMTRAK U I-84 (BRG 3160A&B) Year Built Lanes ADT Open/Posted/ Closed 1961 1964 1966 1966 1967 1965 1965 1958 1987 1964 1958 1969 1964 1966 1921 1964 1939 1964 1964 1970 1961 1971 1957 1915 1964 4 5 4 3 3 3 4 8 3 2 5 4 5 2 3 3 2 3 1 5 1 6 2 2 6 125,700 88,900 76,450 71,450 69,000 66,450 66,150 64,100 51,950 48,200 46,450 40,700 27,200 20,700 17,747 17,400 16,500 16,000 15,100 15,000 14,500 13,900 13,056 12,000 11,130 Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Source: TRIP Analysis of Connecticut Department of Transportation data, 2018. The following 25 structurally deficient bridges in Hartford County (carrying a minimum of 500 vehicles per day) have the lowest individual score for either deck, substructure or superstructure. Each major component of a bridge is rated on a scale of zero to nine, with a score of four or below indicating 11 poor condition. If a bridge receives a rating of four or below for its deck, substructure or superstructure, it is rated as structurally deficient. The report’s appendix includes each bridge’s rating score for deck, superstructure and substructure. Chart 3. Hartford County bridges with lowest individual score for deck, substructure or superstructure. Rank Town 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Bloomfield South Windsor Bloomfield Bristol Southington Hartford Hartford Hartford New Britain West Hartford Manchester Avon Marlborough Enfield Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Hartford Bristol Hartford East Hartford Hartford Hartford New Britain Facility Carried ROUTE 189 MAIN STREET ROUTE 178 MELLEN STREET SPRING STREET INTERSTATE-84 INTERSTATE-84 EB INTERSTATE-91 NB SR 555 (WEST MAIN NORTH MAIN STREET HARTFORD ROAD OLD FARMS ROAD JONES HOLLOW ROAD SOUTH RIVER STREET INTERSTATE-84 EB INTERSTATE-84 EAST INTERSTATE-84 WB I-91 SB & TR 835 SR 530 -AIRPORT RD MEMORIAL BLVD. SR 598 EASTBOUND I-84 TR 829 I-84 TR 826 I-91 TR 840 ROUTE 71 Features Intersected Location Hartford County WASH BROOK 0.4 MILE NORTH OF RTE 178 PODUNK RIVER 0.5 MILES SOUTH OF I-291 BEAMAN BROOK 1.2 MI EAST OF ROUTE 189 PEQUABUCK RIVER 300 FT SOUTH OF ROUTE 72 QUINNIPIAC RIVER 0.6 MI W. OF ROUTE 10 MARKET STREET & I-91 NB EAST END I-91 & I-84 INT AMTRAK;LOCAL RDS;PARKING EASTBOUND PARK RIVER & CSO RR AT EXIT 29A PAN AM SOUTHERN RAILROAD 0.4 MILE EAST OF RTE 372 WEST BRANCH TROUT BROOK 0.3 MILE NORTH OF FERN ST SOUTH FORK HOCKANUM RIV 2000 FT EAST OF SR 502 FARMINGTON RIVER 500 FEET WEST OF ROUTE 10 BLACKLEDGE RIVER 3.6 MILES NORTH OF RTE 66 FRESHWATER BROOK 50 FT N OF ASNUNTUCK ST BROAD ST, I-84 RAMP 191 1.17 MI S OF JCT US 44 WB NEW PARK AV,AMTRAK,SR504 NEW PARK AV,AMTRAK,SR504 AMTRAK;LOCAL RDS;PARKING .82 MI N OF JCT SR 504 SB CONNECTICUT SOUTHERN RR AT EXIT 29A ROUTE 15 422 FT E OF I-91 PEQUABUCK RIVER AT EAST END OF BOULEVARD NO NOTABLE FEATURE ACCESS TO I-91S FROM 598E I-84 EB & I-84 TR 828 .20 MI E OF HARTFORD TL CONNECTICUT RIVER EXIT 51 I-84 WB TO I-91NB I-91 NB,US44 EB,RR,CT RV ACCESS I-84EB FROM 1-91SB HERALD SQ,COLUMUS BL, RR NEAR LAQUINTA INN, POLICE Year Lanes Built 1916 1907 1915 1956 1960 1961 1965 1964 1930 1901 1875 1950 1929 1920 1966 1967 1965 1958 1964 1921 1964 1964 1964 1961 1971 2 2 2 2 2 4 3 2 3 4 2 2 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 3 3 3 1 1 6 ADT Open/Posted/ Closed 9,800 1,510 12,000 2,920 3,866 125,700 66,450 48,200 10,600 10,280 5,610 4,999 1,255 1,016 71,450 69,000 66,150 46,450 27,200 17,747 17,400 16,000 15,100 14,500 13,900 Open Posted Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Source: TRIP Analysis of Connecticut Department of Transportation Data, 2018. The list below details the most heavily traveled structurally deficient bridges in Fairfield, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London, Tolland and Windham Counties. The Appendix includes a list of up the most heavily traveled structurally deficient bridges in each county (carrying a minimum of 500 vehicles per day) and includes each bridge’s rating score for deck, superstructure and substructure. 12 Chart 4. Structurally deficient bridges in Fairfield, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London, Tolland and Windham Counties (carrying a minimum of 500 vehicles per day) with highest average daily traffic. Rank Town Facility Carried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Norwalk Greenwich Westport Stamford Westport Shelton Newtown Newtown Greenwich Bridgeport 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 New Milford Thomaston Thomaston Thomaston Litchfield Winchester Torrington Winchester New Milford Winchester US 202 & RT. 67 ROUTE 8 SOUTHBOUND ROUTE 8 SOUTHBOUND ROUTE 8 NORTHBOUND US ROUTE 202 BRIDGE STREET NEWFIELD ROAD SR 800 WELLSVILLE AVENUE HOLABIRD AVENUE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Middletown Middletown Durham Essex Middletown East Haddam Haddam Deep River Old Saybrook Middletown ROUTE 9 ROUTE 66 ROUTE 17 ROUTE 9 NORTHBOUND MAIN STREET EXT. ROUTE 82 ROUTE 154 ROUTE 80 ROUTE 154 WEST STREET 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 West Haven New Haven New Haven Waterbury Branford Waterbury Waterbury Orange Waterbury Southbury INTERSTATE-95 INTERSTATE 91 INTERSTATE-91 INTERSTATE-84 INTERSTATE-95 INTERSTATE-84 EB INTERSTATE-84 WB ROUTE 34 ROUTE 8 SOUTHBOUND INTERSTATE 84 WB INTERSTATE-95 INTERSTATE-95 INTERSTATE-95 I-95 & I-95 RAMPS ROUTE 15 ROUTE 8 INTERSTATE 84 EAST I-84 WB INTERSTATE 684 NB US ROUTE 1 Features Intersected Location FAIRFIELD COUNTY NORWALK RV,HENDRICKS AVE BETWEEN EXITS 15 & 16 BYRAM RIVER,S WATER ST I95 AT N Y STATE LINE ROUTE 33 I-95 AT EXIT NO. 17 MNRR & LOCAL ROADS 0.2 MI EAST OF EXIT 8 NB SAUGATUCK RIVER BETWEEN EXIT 41 & EXIT 42 HOUSATONIC RIVER, RT 110 ROUTE 8, EXIT 14 HOUSATONIC RIVER OVER HOUSATONIC RIVER POLE BRIDGE BROOK 2.1 MI E OF ROUTE 34 BYRAM RIVER BET. EXIT 2 & 3 STILLMAN PD BRK&RR SP 0.6 MI N OF ROUTE 127 LITCHFIELD COUNTY HOUSATONIC RIVER AT INT OF ROUTE 7 & 202 REYNOLDS BRIDGE ROAD 0.1 MI NORTH WATERTOWN TL NAUGATUCK RIVER & R.R. .1 MI NORTH OF EXIT 38 NAUGATUCK RIVER & R.R. .1 MI NORTH ROUTE 109 BANTAM RIVER .75 MI E OF JCT RTE 63 MAD RIVER INTERSECTION OF ROUTE 44 E BR NAUGATUCK RIVER 2 MI NORTH OF ROUTE 8 MAD RIVER 100 FEET SOUTH OF U.S. 44 EAST ASPETUCK RIVER 0.3 MI S OF PAPER MILL RD STILL RIVER 250 FT EAST OF ROUTE 8 MIDDLESEX COUNTY P&W RAILROAD & UNION ST 0.2 MI N OF ROUTE 17 P&W RR RT9 CONN RIVER 0.25 MI W OF ROUTE 9 ALLYNS BROOK 0.6 MI N. OF ROUTE 79 ROUTE 153 & ROUTE 154 3.1 MI S OF ROUTE 80 SUMNER BROOK 430 FT N OF ROUTE 17 CONNECTICUT RIVER 0.1 MILE WEST OF RTE. 149 ROARING BROOK 100 FT N OF ROUTE 82 DEEP RIVER 1.1 MI W OF ROUTE 9 BACK RIVER 0.8 MI S OF US ROUTE 1 P & W RAILROAD 0.1 MI SOUTH OF ROUTE 157 NEW HAVEN COUNTY METRO NORTH 0.23 MI NORTH OF FIRST AV N FRONT ST & QUINN RIVER 2.3 MI N OF I-95 AMTRAK RAILROAD 0.2 MI S OF ROUTE 17 MAD RIVER .3 MILE EAST OF EXIT 23 US ROUTE 1 AT I-95 EXIT NO. 55 I-84WB,RTE8,NAUGATUCK RV I-84 EXIT 20 RTE 8, NAUGATUCK RIVER WATERBURY LOWER LEVEL WEPAWAUG RIVER 0.3 MI E OF ROUTE 15 RIVERSIDE ST-SUNNYSIDE ROUTE 8 SOUTH OF I-84 US RTE 6, RTE 67, STREAM I-84 WB EXIT NO. 15 Year Built Lanes ADT Open/Posted/ Closed 1957 1958 1957 1958 1938 1951 1953 1979 1968 1910 8 6 8 7 4 6 2 3 3 3 145,000 131,600 129,900 127,300 69,900 64,640 36,650 36,650 33,750 26,900 Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open 1953 1964 1966 1966 1931 1956 1957 1928 1937 1955 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 30,800 16,500 12,250 12,250 7,900 5,098 4,734 4,200 4,098 3,120 Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Posted Closed 1950 1938 1995 1966 1935 1913 1931 1916 1935 1932 4 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 51,200 34,400 15,900 10,850 9,890 9,517 9,400 6,200 4,600 4,225 Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Posted 1956 1964 1965 1960 1958 1967 1967 1855 1966 1963 6 8 9 4 4 2 3 4 2 2 136,400 133,900 133,900 108,800 85,300 65,750 65,750 34,400 30,850 30,600 Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open 13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 East Lyme New London Norwich Stonington Waterford Groton Groton Colchester Montville Griswold INTERSTATE-95 INTERSTATE 95 NORT INTERSTATE 395 US ROUTE 1 INTERSTATE-395 ROUTE 349 NB ROUTE 349 SB ROUTE 2 EASTBOUND NEW LONDON TPKE ROUTE 138 1 2 3 4 5 6 Willington Stafford Union Willington Vernon Coventry ROUTE 32 LEONARD ROAD ROUTE 171 POTTER SCHOOL ROAD PLEASANTVIEW DRIVE FLANDERS RIVER RD 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Plainfield Windham Windham Windham Windham Sterling Sterling Thompson Putnam Scotland INTERSTATE-395 ROUTE 66 ROUTE 66 ROUTE 66 PLAINS ROAD ROUTE 14 ROUTE 14A BUCKLEY HILL ROAD WOODSTOCK AVE #1 ROUTE 14 NEW LONDON COUNTY ROUTE 161 0.4 MI S OF US ROUTE 1 THAMES RV,RR,LOCAL ROADS 1.04 MI S OF N JCT US1 EB RTE 97 & SHETUCKET RIVER JCT of I-395 & ROUTE 97 PAWCATUCK RIVER CT AND RI BORDER ROUTE 85 I-395 EXIT NO. 77 AMTRAK RAILROAD 1 MILE S OF INTERSTATE-95 AMTRAK 0.9 MI S OF I-95 ROUTE 85 0.7 MI E OF ROUTE 16 TRADING COVE BROOK 0.2 MI N OF ROUTE 32 INTERSTATE-395 0.3 MI EAST OF ROUTE 164 TOLLAND COUNTY SO BRANCH ROARING BROOK 0.2 MILE NORTH OF I-84 FURNACE BROOK 130 FT FROM JCT ROUTE 19 INTERSTATE-84 0.5 MI FR MASS STATE LINE INTERSTATE 84 .76 MI W OF ASHFORD TL. HOCKANUM RIVER 900 FT WEST OF ROUTE 83 HOP RIVER 300 FT NORTH OF RT 66 WINDHAM COUNTY MOOSUP RIVER & ROUTE 14 2.4 MI NORTH OF ROUTE 14A PROVIDENCE&WORCESTER RR RTE 66 0.4 MI W ROUTE 32 NEW ENGLAND CENTRAL RR 0.3 MI WEST OF JCT RTE 32 NATCHAUG RIVER .5 MI EAST JCT 195 & 14 SHETUCKET RIVER 0.6 MILE EAST OF ROUTE 32 MOOSUP RIVER 100' WEST OF MAIN STR. CEDAR SWAMP BROOK 1.4 M EAST OF ROUTE 49 EB FRENCH RIVER 0.1 MI SOUTH OF ROUTE 12 LITTLE RIVER 1050'SOUTH OF ROUTE 171 MERRICK BROOK .1 MILE WEST OF ROUTE 97 1958 1943 1958 1932 1958 1966 1966 1966 1965 1958 5 5 4 2 4 3 3 2 2 2 67,500 58,300 43,300 26,000 24,500 11,350 11,200 10,700 8,008 8,000 Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open 1914 1976 1954 1960 1950 1910 2 2 2 2 2 2 8,900 2,081 1,800 1,105 1,040 725 Open Open Open Open Open Open 1958 1937 1938 1931 1947 1926 1928 1937 1937 1914 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 28,800 7,900 7,900 7,500 2,290 2,100 2,000 1,545 1,370 1,200 Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Source: TRIP Analysis of Connecticut Department of Transportation Data, 2018. The following structurally deficient bridges in Fairfield, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London, Tolland and Windham Counties (carrying a minimum of 500 vehicles per day) have the lowest individual score for either deck, substructure or superstructure. Each major component of a bridge is rated on a scale of zero to nine, with a score of four or below indicating structurally deficient condition. If a bridge receives a rating of four or below for its deck, substructure or superstructure, it is rated as structurally deficient. The Appendix includes a list of bridges in each county (carrying a minimum of 500 vehicles per day) with the lowest average rating for deck, superstructure and substructure and includes the score for each component. 14 Chart 5. Fairfield, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London, Tolland and Windham County bridges (carrying a minimum of 500 vehicles per day) with lowest individual score for deck, substructure or superstructure. Rank Town 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Facility Carried Features Intersected Location FAIRFIELD COUNTY HOUSATONIC RIVER, RT 110 ROUTE 8, EXIT 14 STILLMAN PD BRK&RR SP 0.6 MI N OF ROUTE 127 NOROTON RIVER 1/4 MI WEST OF ROUTE 106 HAVILAND BROOK 0.3 MI W OF ROUTE 137 SAUGATUCK RIVER BETWEEN EXIT 41 & EXIT 42 ASH CREEK 0.2 MILES WEST OF I-95 RIPPOWAM RIVER NEAR EXIT 7 I-95 NB EAST BRANCH MIANUS RIVER 0.9 MI N OF ROUTE 15 BYRAM RIVER BET. EXIT 2 & 3 HORSE TAVERN BROOK 1000 FT EAST OF ROUTE 59 LITCHFIELD COUNTY New Milford WELLSVILLE AVENUE EAST ASPETUCK RIVER 0.3 MI S OF PAPER MILL RD Winchester HOLABIRD AVENUE STILL RIVER 250 FT EAST OF ROUTE 8 Thomaston ROUTE 8 SOUTHBOUND NAUGATUCK RIVER & R.R. .1 MI NORTH OF EXIT 38 Thomaston ROUTE 8 NORTHBOUND NAUGATUCK RIVER & R.R. .1 MI NORTH ROUTE 109 New Milford MERRYALL ROAD WEST ASPETUCK RIVER JCT OF W MEETINGHOUSE RD Litchfield US ROUTE 202 BANTAM RIVER .75 MI E OF JCT RTE 63 Winchester SR 800 MAD RIVER 100 FEET SOUTH OF U.S. 44 Morris ROUTE 109 WIGWAM RESERVOIR ON THOMASTON TOWN LINE Torrington FRANKLIN STREET E BR NAUGATUCK RIVER APPRX 750'SOUTH OF RT 202 Plymouth NORTH MAIN STREET POLAND RIVER 100 FT WEST OF RTE 72 MIDDLESEX COUNTY Deep River ROUTE 80 DEEP RIVER 1.1 MI W OF ROUTE 9 Middleton ROUTE 66 P&W RR RT9 CONN RIVER 0.25 MI W OF ROUTE 9 Middleton MAIN STREET EXT. SUMNER BROOK 430 FT N OF ROUTE 17 Middleton WEST STREET P & W RAILROAD 0.1 MI SOUTH OF ROUTE 157 East Haddam ROUTE 82 CONNECTICUT RIVER 0.1 MILE WEST OF RTE. 149 Old Saybrook ROUTE 154 BACK RIVER 0.8 MI S OF US ROUTE 1 Middleton RUSSELL STREET SUMNER BROOK 150 FT W OF E MAIN ST Middleton RIVER ROAD #1 SUMNER BROOK 75 FT E OF ROUTE 9 Westbrook WILLARD AVENUE INTERSTATE-95 2.0 MI N OF ROUTE 145 Clinton PLEASANT VALLEY RD MENUNKETESUCK RIVER 0.5 MI W. OF ROUTE 145 NEW HAVEN COUNTY Waterbury ROUTE 8 NORTHBOUND ROUTE 8 SB & LOCAL ROADS ROUTE 8 SOUTH OF I-84 Meriden ROUTE 71 SODOM BROOK 0.8 MILE SOUTH OF I-691 North Haven SACKETT POINT ROAD QUINNIPIAC RIVER 0.6 MI E OF US ROUTE 5 Hamden WAITE STREET LAKE WHITNEY 0.2 MI EAST OF MATHER ST Wallingford NORTHFORD ROAD MUDDY RIVER 0.5 MI S OF I-91 Meriden COOPER STREET HARBOR BROOK 430 FT E OF ROUTE 71 Beacon Falls BEACON VALLEY ROAD BEACON HILL BROOK 0.3 MI S OF ROUTE 8 Waterbury INTERSTATE-84 EB I-84WB,RTE8,NAUGATUCK RV I-84 EXIT 20 Waterbury INTERSTATE-84 WB RTE 8, NAUGATUCK RIVER WATERBURY LOWER LEVEL Waterbury I-84 TR 809 ROUTE 8 NB,RIVERSIDE ST SB RTE 8 EXIT 31TO EB I84 NEW LONDON COUNTY Griswold SHELDON ROAD DOANVILLE POND 0.5 MI SOUTH OF ROUTE 138 Norwich SCOTLAND ROAD INTERSTATE-395 1.6 MILES NORTH OF SR 642 Griswold CAROL ROAD PACHAUG RIVER 100' EAST OF SHELDON ROAD Norwich SHERMAN STREET YANTIC RIVER 1 MILE WEST ROUTE 2 Salem ROUTE 82 EAST BR EIGHT MILE RIVER 0.8 MI W OF ROUTE 11 Stonington STILLMAN AVENUE PAWCATUCK RIVER 0.5 MI E OF ROUTE 2 Montville NEW LONDON TPKE TRADING COVE BROOK 0.2 MI N OF ROUTE 32 Norwich PLEASANT STREET YANTIC RIVER 70FT N OTROBANDO AVENUE Stonington ROUTE 234 ANGUILLA BROOK 2.6 MI E OF I-95 New London INTERSTATE 95 NORT THAMES RV,RR,LOCAL ROADS 1.04 MI S OF N JCT US1 EB Shelton Bridgeport New Canaan Stamford Westport Bridgeport Stamford Stamford Greenwhich Fairfield ROUTE 8 US ROUTE 1 JELLIFF MILL ROAD WIRE MILL ROAD ROUTE 15 STATE STREET EXTEN SR 790 (S. State St) RIVER BANK ROAD INTERSTATE 684 NB VALLEY ROAD Open/Posted/ Closed Year Built Lanes 1951 1910 1950 1957 1938 1950 1847 1957 1968 1930 6 3 1 2 4 2 2 2 3 2 64,640 26,900 1,800 1,678 69,900 11,699 8,000 1,398 33,750 1,166 Open Open Open Posted Open Open Open Posted Open Open 1937 1955 1966 1966 1937 1931 1928 1938 1958 1931 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 4,098 3,120 12,250 12,250 630 7,900 4,200 2,700 2,622 2,570 Posted Closed Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Closed 1916 1938 1935 1932 1913 1935 1935 1920 1958 1930 2 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 6,200 34,400 9,890 4,225 9,517 4,600 3,172 2,698 2,360 884 Open Open Open Posted Open Open Open Open Open Open 1966 1930 1936 1935 1938 1892 1933 1967 1967 1966 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 1 25,450 14,600 13,936 3,122 2,354 1,082 2,210 65,750 65,750 11,915 Open Open Open Posted Open Open Open Open Open Open 1990 1958 1938 1920 1924 1953 1965 1969 1941 1943 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 5 510 1,850 510 5,025 3,100 5,084 8,008 950 7,000 58,300 Closed Open Open Posted Open Posted Open Open Open Open ADT 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 Stafford Willington Union Willington Coventry Vernon LEONARD ROAD ROUTE 32 ROUTE 171 POTTER SCHOOL ROAD FLANDERS RIVER RD PLEASANTVIEW DRIVE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Windham Putnam Canterbury Windham Windham Sterling Thompson Scotland Windham Sterling ROUTE 66 WOODSTOCK AVE #1 WOODCHUCK HILL RD ROUTE 66 ROUTE 66 ROUTE 14 BUCKLEY HILL ROAD ROUTE 14 PLAINS ROAD ROUTE 14A TOLLAND COUNTY FURNACE BROOK 130 FT FROM JCT ROUTE 19 SO BRANCH ROARING BROOK 0.2 MILE NORTH OF I-84 INTERSTATE-84 0.5 MI FR MASS STATE LINE INTERSTATE 84 .76 MI W OF ASHFORD TL. HOP RIVER 300 FT NORTH OF RT 66 HOCKANUM RIVER 900 FT WEST OF ROUTE 83 WINDHAM COUNTY NATCHAUG RIVER .5 MI EAST JCT 195 & 14 LITTLE RIVER 1050'SOUTH OF ROUTE 171 LITTLE RIVER 50 FT E JCT HANOVER ROAD PROVIDENCE&WORCESTER RR RTE 66 0.4 MI W ROUTE 32 NEW ENGLAND CENTRAL RR 0.3 MI WEST OF JCT RTE 32 MOOSUP RIVER 100' WEST OF MAIN STR. FRENCH RIVER 0.1 MI SOUTH OF ROUTE 12 MERRICK BROOK .1 MILE WEST OF ROUTE 97 SHETUCKET RIVER 0.6 MILE EAST OF ROUTE 32 CEDAR SWAMP BROOK 1.4 M EAST OF ROUTE 49 EB 1976 1914 1954 1960 1910 1950 2 2 2 2 2 2 2,081 8,900 1,800 1,105 725 1,040 Open Open Open Open Open Open 1931 1937 1900 1937 1938 1926 1937 1914 1947 1928 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 7,500 1,370 1,112 7,900 7,900 2,100 1,545 1,200 2,290 2,000 Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Source: TRIP Analysis of Connecticut Department of Transportation data, 2018. TRANSPORTATION FUNDING AND PRESERVING CONNECTICUT’S BRIDGES Investment in Connecticut’s roads, highways and bridges is funded by local, state and federal governments. A lack of sufficient funding at all levels will make it difficult to adequately maintain and improve the state’s bridges. A recent survey conducted for a report by the US. General Accountability Office (GAO) found that more than half of states surveyed (14 out of 24) indicated that inadequate funding was a challenge to their ability to maintain their bridges in a state of good repair. The GAO report found that the increase in the number and size of bridges that are approaching the limits of their design life will likely place a greater demand on bridge owners in the near future, making it more difficult to mitigate issues in a cost-effective manner. 10 The design life of most bridges is 50 years, though bridges have life spans that are dependent on factors such as materials, environment, level of use, and level of maintenance. The average age of all Connecticut bridges is 53 years, while the state’s structurally deficient bridges have an average age of 69 years. Current design guidelines and construction materials may raise the expected service life of new bridges to 75 years or longer. 11 The GAO report found that more than half of states surveyed (13 out of 24) indicated that aging bridges were a challenge to their ability to maintain their bridges in a state of good repair. 12 16 State and local transportation agencies are increasingly taking an asset management approach to bridge preservation that emphasizes enhanced maintenance techniques, delaying the need for costly reconstruction or replacement. 13 Under pressure from fiscal constraints, aging bridges, and increased wear due to growing travel volume, particularly by large trucks, transportation agencies are adopting cost-effective strategies focused on keeping bridges in good condition as long as possible. 14 While this strategy requires increased initial investment, it saves money over the long run by extending the lifespan of bridges. With limited funding available to address bridge deficiencies, transportation agencies need to extend the life of a bridge to defer higher replacement costs as long as possible. Bridge preservation is essentially any work that preserves or extends the useful life of a bridge and is part of achieving the 75year design life target. Preservation may include washing, sealing deck joints, facilitating drainage, sealing concrete, painting steel, removing channel debris, and protecting against stream erosion. This work keeps a bridge from prematurely deteriorating and extends the years before a bridge needs to be replaced. Rehabilitation involves all major work required to restore the structural integrity of a bridge and raise the bridge’s ratings to better than “poor” condition. Rehabilitation may also include superstructure replacements and bridge widening, as well as work necessary to correct major safety defects. Replacement projects involve total replacement of a bridge to current standards. When a bridge deteriorates to the point that it is rated structurally deficient, the cost to restore the bridge to good condition increases significantly. The need to repair or replace high priority bridges tends to create a funding cycle that makes it difficult to keep pace with the needed preservation activities. IMPORTANCE OF TRANSPORTATION TO ECONOMIC GROWTH Today’s culture of business demands that an area have well-maintained and efficient roads, highways and bridges if it is to remain economically competitive. Global communications and the impact of free trade in North America and elsewhere have resulted in a significant increase in freight movement, making the quality of a region’s transportation system a key component in a business’ ability to compete locally, nationally and internationally. 17 Businesses have responded to improved communications and the need to cut costs with a variety of innovations including just-in-time delivery, increased small package delivery, demand-side inventory management and e-commerce. The result of these changes has been a significant improvement in logistics efficiency as firms move from a push-style distribution system, which relies on large-scale warehousing of materials, to a pull-style distribution system, which relies on smaller, more strategic movement of goods. These improvements have made mobile inventories the norm, resulting in the nation’s trucks literally becoming rolling warehouses. The design, construction and maintenance of transportation infrastructure in Connecticut play a critical role in the state’s economy, supporting the equivalent of 38,364 full-time jobs across all sectors of the state economy, earning these workers approximately $1.9 billion annually. 15 These jobs include 19,111 full-time jobs directly involved in transportation infrastructure construction and related activities as well as 19,252 full-time jobs as a result of spending by employees and companies in the transportation design and construction industry. 16 Transportation construction in Connecticut annually contributes an estimated $352.3 million in state and local income, corporate and unemployment insurance taxes and the federal payroll tax. Approximately 731,000 full-time jobs in Connecticut in key industries like tourism, retail sales, agriculture and manufacturing are dependent on the quality, safety and reliability of the state’s transportation infrastructure network. These workers earn $34.8 billion in wages and contribute an estimated $6.3 billion in state and local income, corporate and unemployment insurance taxes and the federal payroll tax. 17 Bridges are vitally important to continued economic development in Connecticut, particularly to the state’s manufacturing, agricultural, forestry, fishing and tourism industries. As the economy expands, creating more jobs and increasing consumer confidence, the demand for consumer and business products grows. In turn, manufacturers ship 18 greater quantities of goods to meet this demand, a process that adds to truck traffic on the state’s highways, bridges and major arterial roads. Annually, $489 billion in goods are shipped to and from sites in Connecticut. 18 Eighty-six percent of the goods shipped annually to and from sites in Connecticut are carried by trucks and another 11 percent are carried by courier services or multiplemode deliveries, which include trucking. 19 The cost of road and bridge improvements are more than offset by the reduction of user costs associated with driving on rough roads, the improvement in business productivity, the reduction in delays and the improvement in traffic safety Local, regional and state economic performance is improved when a region’s surface transportation system is expanded or repaired. This improvement comes as a result of the initial job creation and increased employment created over the long-term because of improved access, reduced transport costs and improved safety. Increasingly, companies are looking at the quality of a region’s transportation system when deciding where to re-locate or expand. Regions with congested or poorly maintained roads may see businesses relocate to areas with a smoother, more efficient and more modern transportation system. Highway accessibility was ranked the number one site selection factor in a 2017 survey of corporate executives by Area Development Magazine. Labor costs and the availability of skilled labor, which are both impacted by a site's level of accessibility, were rated second and third, respectively. 20 CONCLUSION As Connecticut works to build and enhance a thriving, growing and dynamic state, it will be critical that it is able to provide a 21st century network of roads, highways and bridges that can accommodate the mobility demands of a modern society. The state will need to modernize its transportation system by improving the physical condition of its bridges, which will enhance the system’s ability to provide efficient and reliable mobility for motorists and businesses. Making needed improvements to Connecticut’s bridges could provide a significant boost to the state’s economy by creating jobs in the short term and stimulating long-term economic growth as a result of enhanced mobility and access. 19 Without a substantial boost in federal, state and local funding, numerous projects to improve and preserve Connecticut’s bridges will not be able to proceed, hampering the state’s ability to improve the condition of its transportation system and to support economic development opportunities in the state. ### 20 ENDNOTES U.S. Census Bureau (2017). Highway Statistics (2016). Federal Highway Administration. DL-1C 3 U.S. Department of Transportation and Development - Federal Highway Administration: Highway Statistics 2000 and 2016. 4 Ibid. 5 TRIP calculation based on U.S. Census and Federal Highway Administration data. 6 TRIP analysis of Bureau of Economic Analysis data. 7 Ibid. 8 Connecticut Department of Transportation, 2018. 9 TRIP analysis of Connecticut Department of Transportation data, 2018. 10 United States Government Accountability Office (2016). Highway Bridges: Linking Funding to Conditions May Help Demonstrate Impact of Federal Investment. P. 29. 11 Ibid. P. 13. 12 Ibid. 13 Federal Highway Administration (2011). National Bridge Management, Inspection and Preservation Conference Proceedings: Beyond the Short Term. P. 3. 14 Ibid. 15 American Road & Transportation Builders Association (2015). The 2015 U.S. Transportation Construction Industry Profile. https://www.transportationcreatesjobs.org/pdf/Economic_Profile.pdf 16 Ibid. 17 Ibid. 18 TRIP analysis of Bureau of Transportation Statistics data, 2012. 19 Ibid. 20 Area Development Magazine (2018). 32nd Annual Survey of Corporate Executives: Availability of Skilled Labor New Top Priority. http://www.areadevelopment.com/Corporate-Consultants-Survey-Results/Q1-2018/32ndannual-corporate-survey-14th-annual-consultants-survey.shtml 1 2 21