FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

ROUTE 156

Carrying ROUTE 156 over FOUR MILE RIVER

E.LYME/OLD LYME TOWN LINE, New London, Connecticut

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
31 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: ROUTE 156

The ROUTE 156 bridge in New London, Connecticut carries ROUTE 156 over FOUR MILE RIVER. It was built in 1982, making it 44 years old today. The structure is built primarily of steel and spans 4 sections, stretching 8.5 meters (28 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 2,500 vehicles, placing it in the moderately-trafficked tier of Connecticut bridges. It is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

The latest FHWA inspection records show culvert at 3/9. The weakest component sits in poor condition. A component scored 4 or below, placing this bridge in the federal Poor condition category rather than declaring it unsafe or closed. Its NBI inventory load rating is 30.8 metric tons.

Sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory. See our methodology for refresh cadence and NBI release vintage.

How ROUTE 156 compares

▼ 14.1
Load rating vs Connecticut average (44.9 t)
Bottom 13%
Lower load rating than 87% of Connecticut bridges
431
Bridges in New London · 16 in Poor condition
ROUTE 156 30.8 t
Connecticut average 44.9 t

Live comparison across Connecticut.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
54.6 / 100 - historical 50–79.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
14.3
Serviceability /30
26.0
Essentiality /15
14.3
Special reductions
0

FHWA discontinued this calculated item; it does not determine current condition, funding eligibility, posting, or closure. How the historical reference is calculated.

Condition Ratings

Culvert
3/9
Poor (1–4)
Inventory Load Rating
30.8 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

Full 0–9 scale + sufficiency-rating breakdown: how condition ratings work.

Structural Details

Year Built
1982
Material
Steel
Number of Spans
4
Structure Length
8.5 m (28 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
2,500 vehicles/day
Structure Number
02713

How to read this record

ROUTE 156 is in the federal Poor condition category. That is a component-based result, not a closure order.

  • NBI condition ratings reflect the latest record in this annual dataset, not a live status. Current routine inspection intervals are risk-based.
  • Understand what Poor condition does and does not mean before drawing conclusions. Poor condition explained
  • Compare ROUTE 156 against other structures in New London and across Connecticut. Connecticut bridges
  • Noticed visible damage or a safety concern? Report it to the agency that owns the bridge, or call 911 in an emergency. How to report a bridge

Condition codes come straight from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory and are not a real-time safety judgment. Only the owning agency, a state DOT, county, or other owner, can post, restrict, or close a bridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the condition ratings mean for ROUTE 156?

ROUTE 156 in New London, Connecticut on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is ROUTE 156 inspected?

ROUTE 156's responsible agency sets its routine interval under FHWA's risk-based inspection rules; this page does not expose the scheduled interval. It carries about 2,500 vehicles per day.

What does “structurally deficient” mean in older bridge reports?

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. ROUTE 156 is currently shown as Poor condition from its component ratings; that category is not a live closure or safety decision.

What is the inventory load rating for ROUTE 156?

ROUTE 156 has an NBI inventory load rating of 30.8 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining ROUTE 156?

ROUTE 156 is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is ROUTE 156 and does age affect safety?

ROUTE 156 was built in 1982, making it 44 years old.

Disclaimer: Bridge condition data is from the FHWA NBI and reflects the last reported inspection. A Poor condition rating is not a live declaration that a bridge is closed or unsafe for travel. For current closure, posting, or safety information, contact the responsible transportation agency.

Data sourced from the Federal Highway Administration National Bridge Inventory. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges

Every figure on PlainBridge is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.