FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

ROUTE 156

Carrying ROUTE 156 over EIGHT MILE RIVER

0.3 E OF ROUTE 82, New London, Connecticut

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Good
34 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: ROUTE 156

The ROUTE 156 bridge in New London, Connecticut carries ROUTE 156 over EIGHT MILE RIVER. It was built in 1986, making it 40 years old today. The structure is built primarily of prestressed concrete and spans 1 section, stretching 14.3 meters (47 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 2,700 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 a deck rating of 8/9, superstructure at 8/9, substructure at 7/9. The weakest component sits in good condition. None of this bridge's reported major components fall into the Poor condition range. Its NBI inventory load rating is 34.3 metric tons.

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

How ROUTE 156 compares

▼ 10.6
Load rating vs Connecticut average (44.9 t)
Bottom 37%
Lower load rating than 63% of Connecticut bridges
431
Bridges in New London · 16 in Poor condition
ROUTE 156 34.3 t
Connecticut average 44.9 t

Live comparison across Connecticut.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
97.7 / 100 - historical 80–100 band
Structural adequacy /55
55.0
Serviceability /30
29.0
Essentiality /15
14.7
Special reductions
−1.0

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 How the historical reference is calculated.

Condition Ratings

Deck
8/9
Good (7–9)
Superstructure
8/9
Good (7–9)
Substructure
7/9
Good (7–9)
Inventory Load Rating
34.3 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Good

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1986
Material
Prestressed Concrete
Number of Spans
1
Structure Length
14.3 m (47 ft)
Deck Width
12.1 m (40 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
2,700 vehicles/day
Structure Number
05396

Condition Analysis

  • The deck (driving surface) rates good at 8/9, with no significant deterioration on file.
  • At 8/9, the superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) is in good shape and shows no significant wear.
  • The substructure (piers and abutments) is in good condition (7/9), showing no significant deterioration.

How to read this record

This page shows what the last federal inspection recorded, not whether ROUTE 156 is safe to cross today. Here is how to use it.

  • NBI condition ratings reflect the latest record in this annual dataset, not a live status. Current routine inspection intervals are risk-based.
  • Learn how the 0–9 condition scale and Good/Fair/Poor categories are defined. How condition ratings work
  • 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 has a deck rating of 8/9, superstructure rating of 8/9, and substructure rating of 7/9 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 2,700 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 Good 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 34.3 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 1986, making it 40 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.