Scour Critical Bridges in Connecticut
279 bridges in Connecticut at risk from water erosion around foundations.
Scour Critical Bridges
Scour is the erosion of soil and rock around a bridge's foundation caused by moving water. When foundations are exposed or undermined, a bridge can collapse even if its deck and superstructure are in good condition. Scour is the leading cause of bridge failures in the US. These 279 bridges in Connecticut have been identified as vulnerable to scour damage.
| Bridge | State | Scour Status | Condition | Year Built | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FENTON RIVER | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1940 | 152 |
| BROAD BROOK | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1900 | 148 |
| LENEVIG BROOK | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1956 | 129 |
| WEST BRANCH SALMON BROOK | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1945 | 129 |
| WANGUM LAKE BROOK | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1988 | 125 |
| WHETSTONE BROOK | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1850 | 110 |
| WILLIMANTIC RIVER | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1956 | 108 |
| STREAM | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 2008 | 106 |
| WOPPOQUIA BROOK | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 2008 | 106 |
| STREAM | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1999 | 105 |
| QUANDUCK BROOK | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 2018 | 100 |
| BULL MOUNTAIN BROOK | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1998 | 74 |
| HIGLEY BROOK | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1990 | 61 |
| NORTHFIELD BROOK | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1955 | 60 |
| NORTHFIELD BROOK | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1936 | 60 |
| W BRANCH SHEPAUG RIVER | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 2017 | 54 |
| MINE BROOK | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1941 | 43 |
| MAD RIVER | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1940 | 42 |
| JEREMY RIVER | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1987 | 36 |
| HOP BROOK | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1935 | 30 |
| ELLIS BROOK | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1991 | 23 |
| MORRISSEY BROOK | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1987 | 21 |
| HALL MEADOW BROOK | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1970 | 20 |
| MASHAMOQUET BROOK | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1950 | 18 |
| ROARING BROOK | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1958 | 11 |
| BRANCH BROOK | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1950 | 4 |
| MERRICK BROOK | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1970 | — |
| MERRICK BROOK | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1932 | — |
| NORWALK RIVER | Connecticut | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1910 | — |
Scour Critical Rating Codes
| Code 2 — Unaddressed | Bridge is scour critical with no countermeasures installed. The foundation is vulnerable and no protective action has been taken. |
| Code 3 — Countermeasures Installed | Protective measures (riprap, sheet piling, etc.) have been installed to reduce scour risk, but the bridge remains classified as scour critical. |
| Code 6 — Countermeasures Ineffective | Protective measures were installed but have been assessed as ineffective. The bridge requires re-evaluation and additional action. |
About Scour Critical Bridges
Scour critical bridges have been identified through underwater inspection or analysis as having foundations that are unstable or could become unstable during flood conditions. FHWA requires action plans for all scour critical bridges. Famous scour failures include the 1987 Schoharie Creek Bridge collapse in New York.