Bridge No. 455 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bridge No. 455
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | CT 159 at Stony Brook, Suffield, Connecticut |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1929 |
| Built by | Connecticut Highway Department |
| Architectural style | open-spandrel concrete arch |
| NRHP reference No. | 04001094 |
| Added to NRHP | September 29, 2004 |
Bridge No. 455 is a special old bridge in Suffield, Connecticut. It carries Connecticut Route 159 over a stream called Stony Brook. This bridge was finished in 1929.
It's one of only six bridges left in Connecticut that are built in a special way called "open spandrel concrete arch." Because it's so unique and old, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
Contents
What is Bridge No. 455 Like?
Bridge No. 455 is in southeastern Suffield. It helps Connecticut Route 159 cross over Stony Brook. Route 159 is a main road that goes north and south through eastern Suffield. It runs close to the Connecticut River.
How Big is the Bridge?
The bridge crosses a deep, rocky valley. It is about 259 feet (79 meters) long. The main part of the bridge is 132 feet (40 meters) long. It also has nine smaller concrete sections leading up to it.
The main part is an "open spandrel" arch made of strong concrete. An arch is a curved structure. "Open spandrel" means it has open spaces above the arch, which makes it look lighter. The arch itself rises about 34 feet (10 meters) high. The bridge deck, where cars drive, is about 55 feet (17 meters) above the water below.
How Was It Built?
The arch has thick concrete ribs. These ribs are about 4 feet (1.2 meters) thick at the bottom. They get a bit thinner at the top, about 2.5 feet (0.76 meters) thick. These ribs are connected to the road above by square columns. The road on the bridge has two lanes for cars.
Why is This Bridge Important?
Bridge No. 455 was finished in 1929. It was part of a big plan by the state's Department of Transportation. They wanted to make the main roads much better.
Bridge's Role in the Past
Back then, Route 159 was the main road between Hartford and Springfield, Massachusetts. Even today, it's still an important road. However, most of the really heavy traffic now uses Interstate 91.
Why This Type of Bridge?
The state often used "open spandrel" bridges for crossing deep valleys or for very long spans. This design saved a lot of money on building materials. The state also liked how these bridges looked. They thought they were very beautiful. Because of this, they built many of them.
Today, Bridge No. 455 is one of only six bridges like it left in Connecticut. This makes it a very special and historic structure.
