Bridge No. 1132
Bridge No. 1132 is an open-spandrel concrete arch bridge carrying the two-lane Connecticut Route 80 across the Hammonasset River, between Killingworth and Madison, Connecticut. Built in 1934, it is one of a small number of open-spandrel concrete bridges in the state, and was noted for its aesthetics at the time of its construction. It was listed on the National [Register of Historic Places] in 2004.
Description and history
Bridge No. 1132 is located in western Killingworth and eastern Madison, spanning the Hammonasset River south of Lake Hammonasset. The bridge spans a steep wooded ravine, with its main arch spanning. There are three concrete girder spans on each side of the main arch, giving the structure an overall length of. The road deck is wide, but the arches supporting it are only apart, with concrete ribs projecting to the sides of the arches for additional support. There are eight supporting concrete beams rising in each spandrel area of the arches.The bridge was designed by the Connecticut Highway Department and built by the Osborn-Barnes [Construction Company] of Danbury, Connecticut, in 1934. It was highlighted by the Highway Department for its scenic location. The state typically only built open-spandrel bridges for particularly long spans, or sites such as this one with steep sides. This bridge replaced an older one that had been located further down the ravine; its construction thus eliminated steep approaches on what is a major east–west roadway.