Bridges of the Merritt Parkway
The 69 original bridges of the Merritt Parkway were designed by George L. Dunkelberger. Each bridge had a unique design that represented various 1930s architectural styles, such as Art Deco, Art Moderne, French Renaissance, Gothic, Neoclassicism, and Rustic. Some of the bridges have been reconstructed in recent years, and three of the original bridges have been torn down and replaced. The presence of these artistic bridges is one of the reasons that the Merritt Parkway has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places and documented by the Historic American Engineering Record (HAER).
Below is a list of the 42 bridges that cross over the Merritt Parkway and another list of the 39 bridges that the Merritt Parkway uses to cross over another road or major waterway. The lists are arranged from south to north.
Bridges crossing over the Merritt Parkway
| Bridge No. | Carries | Location | Built | Design | Notes | HAER No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 695 | Round Hill Road | MP 3.48, Greenwich | 1935 | Moderne/Modern Classicism. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 24 ft (7.3 m). Concrete with cast-concrete ornament. | Adaptation of classical arch with keystone on pylons. Balustrade abstracted from classical sources. | CT-68 |
| 696 | Lake Avenue | MP 4.69, Greenwich | 1940 | Art Deco. Double-arched rigid frame steel span resting on steel center piers. Abutments faced with random ashlar stone. | Center piers and spans carry cast-iron ornament of grapevines and classicizing urns. Metal parts originally polychromed, now painted bright blue. | CT-69 |
| 697 | North Street | MP 5.65, Greenwich | 1937 (reconstructed 1993) | Moderne/Modern Classicism. Concrete cast to suggest rusticated masonry. Single span, segmental arch on piers. | Abstracted, simplified classicism apparent in balustrade. | CT-70 |
| 699 | Stanwich Road | MP 7.44, Greenwich | 1936 (reconstructed 1990) | Moderne. Concrete rigid frame bridge. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 64 ft (20 m). | Bas-relief shield displaying winged wheel near top of each abutment. Cream-colored concrete with gray cast ornament. | CT-72 |
| 700 | Guinea Road | MP 8.11, Stamford | 1937 | Classical Revival/Rustic. Concrete arch bridge, 80 ft (24 m). Single span, segmental arch. | Faced with rock-faced rubble stone and with rusticated voussoirs of rock-faced granite. | CT-73 |
| 702 | Riverbank Road | MP 8.60, Stamford | 1937 | Moderne. Concrete rigid-frame bridge. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 63 ft (19 m). | Faceted pylons; abstracted classical balustrades with enlarged faceted pedestals separating sections of plain balusters. | CT-75 |
| 704 | Wire Mill Road | MP 9.91, Stamford | 1938 | Moderne/Modern Classicism. Rigid frame bridge. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 63 ft (19 m). | Concrete, colored gray and yellow. Balustrade with cartouche at center of span bearing Connecticut State Seal. Arching approaches. | CT-77 |
| 707 | Newfield Avenue | MP 11.34, Stamford | 1937 (reconstructed 1995) | Art Deco. Concrete with cast concrete ornament. Single span, segmental arch on piers. | Cartouche bearing Connecticut State Seal above center of span flanked by banding of geometric ornament with curving striations. | CT-80 |
| 708 | Ponus Ridge Road | MP 12.29, New Canaan | 1937 | Moderne/Modern Classicism. Concrete rigid frame bridge. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 63 ft (19 m). | Cast-concrete ornament. Rusticated abutments; balustrade with cartouche bearing Connecticut State Seal at center of span. | CT-81 |
| 710 | Metro-North Railroad bridge | MP 13.32, New Canaan | 1937 | Moderne. Concrete. Double span, segmental arches on piers, restrained ornament. | CT-83 | |
| 711/5810 | Lapham Road | MP 13.55, New Canaan | 1989 | Art Deco. Rigid frame concrete with cast-concrete ornament. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 63 ft (19 m). | Crenellated parapet. Cast panels with floral motifs ornament abutments. Grooved striations follow vertical and horizontal lines of abutments and span. Original 1937 bridge replaced. |
CT-38 |
| 712 | South Avenue (Route 124) | MP 14.14, New Canaan | 1937 (reconstructed 1997) | Art Deco. Concrete with cast concrete ornament. Single span, segmental arch on piers. | Saw-toothed parapet. On abutments, exuberant bas-relief scrolls rise as from fountain. | CT-84 |
| 713 | White Oak Shade Road | MP 14.71, New Canaan | 1938 (reconstructed 1991) | Moderne. Concrete rigid frame, with cast-concrete ornament. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 63 ft (19 m). | Saw-toothed parapet. On abutments, ornaments suggesting exfoliation of stone curl over vertical rods. | CT-85 |
| 714/5811 | Marvin Ridge Road | MP 15.13, New Canaan | 1989 | Moderne/Modern Classicism. Rigid frame concrete with cast-concrete ornament. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 63 ft (19 m). | Inset panels with high relief urns on blue backgrounds near tops of abutments. Parapets have bas-relief panels imitating Roman grilles. Abstracted outlines of urns also inscribed under bridge. Original 1937 bridge replaced. |
CT-86 |
| 716 | Comstock Hill Avenue | MP 16.53, Norwalk | 1938 (reconstructed 1989) | Moderne. Concrete rigid frame bridge with cast-concrete ornament. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 60 ft (18 m). | Abutments have inset bas-relief panels depicting a Puritan and an Indian. Parapet of simple posts and panels. | CT-88 |
| 722 | West Rocks Road | MP 18.08, Norwalk | 1938 (reconstructed 1986) | Moderne. Structural steel rigid frame bridge. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 64 ft (20 m). | Restrained ornament. Split pylons. Crenellated molding. Recently repaired. Chainlink fence added at top. | CT-94 |
| 723 | East Rocks Road | MP 18.48, Norwalk | 1938 | Moderne/Modern Classicism. Concrete rigid frame bridge. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 77 ft (23 m). | Balustrade with Connecticut State Seal on shield at center of span. | CT-95 |
| 724 | Grumman Avenue | MP 18.97, Norwalk | 1938 (reconstructed 1997) | Moderne/Modern Classicism. Concrete rigid frame bridge. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 60 ft (18 m). | Sgraffito panels at top of abutments depict neoclasical griffons flanking Connecticut State Seal. Classicizing grille design forms metal railing. Chain-link fence added along parapet. | CT-96 |
| 726 | Newtown Turnpike | MP 20.24, Westport | 1939 | French Renaissance Revival. Concrete rigid frame bridge, 60 ft (18 m). Double span, rounded arches. | Concrete cast and treated to imitate random ashlar stone facing. Apparently inspired by fortified bridge; historicizing details include solid parapet which, at the center of span, juts out around corbelled bracket or platform. | CT-98 |
| 729 | Clinton Avenue | MP 21.30, Westport | 1940 | Moderne with classicizing details. Concrete abutments, steel span and railing. Single span, segmental arch on piers. | Tower-like abutments with waterspouts. Shield patterns in metal railing. | CT-100 |
| 732 | North Avenue | MP 22.46, Westport | 1939 | Art Deco. Concrete rigid frame bridge. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 60 ft (18 m). | Fiddle-head fern motif appears in two-toned concrete sgraffito within vertical stepped panels on abutments and in wrought-iron railing. Ferns, flowers, and snail are depicted in sgraffito panels that terminate parapets. Sgraffito undercourse is aggregate of Wisconsin black onyx and Swedish emerald pearl. Chain link fence added to parapet. | CT-103 |
| 735 | Merwins Lane | MP 24.23, Fairfield | 1940 | Art Deco. Concrete, double span with segmental arches on piers. | Concrete of center pier and abutments cast in horizontal layers that resemble overlapping clapboards. Sculptural, free-standing concrete butterflies on abutments. Metal railing: spider webs in panels with cast spider applied in different place on each panel. | CT-106 |
| 736 | Redding Road | MP 24.71, Fairfield | 1939 | Moderne. Concrete, single span, segmental arch on piers. | Crenellated parapet | CT-107 |
| 737 | Congress Street | MP 25.22, Fairfield | 1938 | Moderne. Concrete rigid frame bridge. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 60 ft (18 m). | Towering skyscraper-like pylons flank a parapet with panels that project and recede in steps. | CT-108 |
| 739 | Burr Street | MP 25.97, Fairfield | 1939 (reconstructed 1994) | Moderne. Concrete, cast-concrete ornament. Single span, segmental arch on piers. | Abutments vertically striated with deep grooves and have cast bas-relief panels depicting engineers working on Parkway. Concrete parapet is crenellated and pierced. Chain-link fence added to west side parapet. | CT-110 |
| 742 | Morehouse Highway | MP 27.75, Fairfield | 1939 | Art Deco. Concrete, cast-concrete ornament. Double span, segmental arches on piers. | In cast concrete, grid of recessed lines suggests structure made of square blocks. Within squares, geometric patterning that features concentric quarter circles is concentrated on stepped, pierced parapet. Chain link fence added to parapet. | CT-113 |
| 744 | Easton Turnpike (Route 59) | MP 28.53, Fairfield | 1936 (reconstructed 1995) | Moderne/Modern Classicism. Concrete, single span, segmental arch on piers. | Abutments have tall niches with grille-like ornaments at their bases. Balustrade is simple, classicizing. | CT-55 |
| 745 | Park Avenue | MP 29.23, Trumbull | 1940 | Late Gothic Revival. Concrete, single span, round arch. | Bracket at center of span supported by foliate corbel. Drain spouts follow curve of arch. | CT-115 |
| 746 | Plattsville Road | MP 29.60, Trumbull | 1939 | Moderne. Concrete, single span, segmental arch on piers. | Connecticut State Seal in cast concrete bas relief at center of span. | CT-116 |
| 747 | Madison Avenue | MP 30.00, Trumbull | 1939 | Moderne. Concrete, single span, segmental arch on piers. | Concave vertical panels, each with a small recessed ornament centered near top, make up facing of bridge, including span. On each abutment, 2 panels fold out to form pier carrying, near top, flowers and scrolls. | CT-117 |
| 748 | Main Street (Route 111) | MP 30.58, Trumbull | 1936 (reconstructed 2003) | Moderne/Modern Classicism. Concrete, rigid frame bridge. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 60 ft (18 m). | Concrete is cast in horizontal layers resembling overlapping clapboards. Bridge is topped by alternating sections of balustrade and solid parapet. | |
| 749 | Frenchtown Road | MP 31.04, Trumbull | 1942 | French Renaissance. Double span, rounded arches. | Concrete cast and treated to resemble random ashlar stone facing and chamfered voussoirs. Buttressed center pier. Solid parapet pierced with small square openings, suggesting fortified bridge. | CT-119 |
| 4375 | Route 25 south to Route 15 north ramp | MP 32.10, Trumbull | 1981 | Utilitarian. Concrete abutments with straight steel beam span. | Not on NRHP | |
| 4364 | Route 25 south | MP 32.16, Trumbull | 1981 | Utilitarian. Concrete abutments with straight steel beam span. | Not on NRHP | |
| 4363 | Route 25 north | MP 32.19, Trumbull | 1981 | Utilitarian. Concrete abutments with straight steel beam span. | Not on NRHP | |
| 4378 | Route 25 north to Route 15 south ramp | MP 32.35, Trumbull | 1981 | Utilitarian. Concrete abutments with straight steel beam span. | Not on NRHP | |
| 751 | Metro-North Railroad (abandoned) | MP 32.40, Trumbull | 1935 | Moderne/Utilitarian. Concrete abutments, boxed steel span, 62 feet 8 inches (19.1 m). Built-up pylons. | This bridge would carry Berkshire Division trains if the branch was to be reactivated. Its panels and rivets seem to be designed at least partially for decorative appearance. | |
| 5294 | Huntington Turnpike (Route 108), | MP 33.73, Trumbull | 1983 | Utilitarian. Concrete abutments with straight steel beam span. Original 1940 trellis grille castings salvaged and reused. | Original 1940 bridge replaced Not on NRHP |
CT-124 |
| 5292 | Route 15 north to Route 8 north ramp | MP 34.13, Trumbull | 1984 | Utilitarian. Concrete abutments with straight steel beam span. | Not on NRHP | |
| 5293 | Route 15 south to Route 8 south ramp | MP 34.15, Trumbull | 1984 | Utilitarian. Concrete abutments with straight steel beam span. | Not on NRHP | |
| 759 | James Farm Road | MP 36.06, Stratford | 1940 | Moderne/Modern Classicism. Concrete, double span, rounded arches. | Concrete cast to resemble rusticated masonry. Monumental pillars on each side of center pier support freestanding clusters, each made up of 4 sculpted wings. Pierced parapet suggests a balustrade. Cartouche on each abutment bears initials CHD, for "Connecticut Highway Department". | CT-129 |
Bridges carrying the Merritt Parkway
| Bridge No. | Crosses over | Location | Built | Design | Notes | HAER No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 691 | Byram River | MP 1.63, Greenwich | 1934 (reconstructed 1997) | Utilitarian. Concrete, single straight span. | CT-64 | |
| 692/5653 | Riversville Road | MP 1.78, Greenwich | 1988 | Moderne/Modern Classicism. Twin double spans, supported by center piers between road and river. | Rectangular and circular recessed panels on piers and span. Original 1935 bridge replaced. |
CT-65 |
| 693 | Glenville Water Company Road (private) | MP 2.31, Greenwich | 1935 | Utilitarian/Moderne, Concrete arch bridge. | Very simple; balustrade with chamfered balusters and pedestals with pyramidal caps. | CT-66 |
| 694 | Converse Pond Brook | MP 2.84, Greenwich | 1935 | Utilitarian/Moderne. Concrete straight span. | Very simple; balustrade with chamfered balusters. | CT-67 |
| 698 | Taconic Road | MP 6.30, Greenwich | 1936 | Moderne/Modern Classicism. Concrete arch. | High, round arch with small keystone, between tapered, obelisk-like pylons. Bas-reliefs of Connecticut State Seal on inner faces of pylons. | CT-71 |
| 701 | Mianus River | MP 8.26, Stamford | 1937 | CT-74 | ||
| 703 | Long Ridge Road (Route 104) | MP 9.47, Stamford | 1936 | Moderne. Rigid frame concrete. Segmental arch on piers, 52 ft (16 m). | Pleated parapet. Applied ornament in quarter-circle sunbursts and fountains. | CT-76 |
| 705 | Rippowam River | MP 10.12, Stamford | 1936 | Rustic. Concrete arch, 56 ft (17 m). | Rock-faced random ashlar facing. | CT-78 |
| 706 | High Ridge Road (Route 137) | MP 10.66, Stamford | 1937 (reconstructed 1994) | Moderne. Structural steel. Single span, segmental arch, 45 ft (14 m). | Molded strip of geometric ornament at top of pylons. | CT-79 |
| 709 | Old Stamford Road (Route 106) | MP 13.24, New Canaan | 1937 (reconstructed 1994) | Moderne. Reinforced concrete, rigid frame. Single span, segmental arch, 45 ft (14 m). | Vertically striated pylons and solid parapet of panels and pedestals. Bas-relief of Connecticut State Seal on inner face of pylons. | CT-82 |
| 2144 | Five Mile River | MP 14.87, New Canaan | 1937 (reconstructed 1975) | Not on NRHP | ||
| 715 | New Canaan Avenue (Route 123) | MP 15.87, Norwalk | 1937 (reconstructed 1995) | Late Gothic Revival. Rigid frame steel span between concrete abutments, 45 ft (14 m). | Triangular pylons with inset tracery panels; balustrade has low pointed arches between square posts. Shield on inner face of pylons. | CT-87 |
| 717 | Silvermine Avenue | MP 16.75, Norwalk | 1938 | Moderne. Concrete, segmental arch on piers. | Stepped pylons and simple balustrade. | CT-89 |
| 718 | Silvermine River | MP 16.77, Norwalk | 1958 | Original 1938 bridge replaced Not on NRHP |
CT-121 | |
| 719 | Perry Avenue | MP 17.11, Norwalk | 1936 | Moderne/Modern Classicism. Concrete rigid frame bridge. Single span, round arch, 30 ft (9.1 m). | Prominent keystone. Simple balustrade. Bas-relief of Connecticut State Seal on inner face of pylons. | CT-90 |
| 6069 | U.S. Route 7 | MP 17.28, Norwalk | 1991 | Utilitarian. Concrete abutments with straight steel span. | Not on NRHP | |
| 720 | Metro-North Railroad bridge | MP 17.46, Norwalk | 1937 | Utilitarian. Concrete skew span, 37 ft (11 m). | Segmental arch on piers with wing walls. | CT-91 |
| 721 | Norwalk River | MP 17.51, Norwalk | 1938 (reconstructed 1988) | Utilitarian. Concrete triple-arch bridge, 86 ft (26 m). | Rounded arches with buttressed center pier. | CT-92 |
| 530 | Main Avenue (SR 719) | MP 17.58, Norwalk | 1938 | Classical Revival/Rustic. Concrete rigid frame bridge. Twin single spans, segmental arches on piers, 62 ft (19 m). | Random rubble facing with rock-faced granite voussoirs, quoins, and coping. | CT-93 |
| 725 | Chestnut Hill Road (Route 53) | MP 19.56, Norwalk | 1937 | Concrete, simple balustrade. | CT-97 | |
| 727/5763 | Wilton Road (Route 33) | MP 20.64, Westport | 1989 | Modern Classicism. Concrete T-beam bridge, 52 ft (16 m). | Original 1935 bridge replaced. Wing walls with plain coping. Simple pylons and balustrade. |
CT-39 |
| 728 | Saugatuck River | MP 21.07, Westport | 1938 (reconstructed 1990) | Moderne/Modern Classicism. Steel arch span. | Rebuilt parapet has incised lines resembling drafted masonry, small piers carrying metal railing. | CT-99 |
| 730 | Weston Road (Route 57) | MP 21.57, Westport | 1938 (reconstructed 1994) | Moderne. Rigid frame concrete bridge, 48 ft (15 m). Single skew span, segmental arch on piers. | Simple forms with crenellated parapet. | CT-101 |
| 731 | Easton Road (Route 136) | MP 21.74, Westport | 1938 (reconstructed 1994) | Moderne. Structural steel rigid frame bridge, 60 ft (18 m). Single span, segmental arch on piers and wing walls. | Piers, wing walls and concrete facing of span have bold incised lines suggesting drafted masonry. Solid parapet. | CT-102 |
| 733 | Bayberry Lane | MP 23.08, Westport | 1939 | Moderne. Concrete, elliptical arch. | Balustrade with flat posts bearing pyramidal raised panels. | CT-104 |
| 734 | Cross Highway | MP 23.58, Fairfield | 1938 | Moderne. Concrete rigid frame. Single span, round arch, 36 ft (11 m). | Built-up pylons have inset panels with naturalistic bas-relief flowers. Pierced parapet. | CT-105 |
| 738 | Hillside Road | MP 25.44, Fairfield | 1940 | Moderne. | Concrete parapet with simple balustrade. | CT-109 |
| 740 | Black Rock Turnpike (Route 58) | MP 27.03, Fairfield | 1938 | Moderne. Concrete, rigid frame bridge. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 61 ft (19 m). | CT-111 | |
| 741 | Cricker Brook | MP 27.09, Fairfield | 1940 | Minor structure Not on NRHP |
CT-112 | |
| 743 | Mill River | MP 28.05, Fairfield | 1940 | Utilitarian. Concrete, segmental arch | No parapet or balustrade. | CT-114 |
| 750 | Reservoir Avenue | MP 31.89, Trumbull | 1939 | Moderne/Modern Classicism. Concrete rigid frame bridge. Single span, segmental arch on piers. | Greek-key molding and balustrade with chamfered posts. | CT-120 |
| 752 | Pequonnock River | MP 32.43, Trumbull | 1993 | Original 1935 bridge replaced Not on NRHP |
CT-57 | |
| 753 | White Plains Road (Route 127) | MP 32.75, Trumbull | 1934 (reconstructed 1990) | Moderne. Concrete rigid frame, single span segmental arch. | Built-up pylons. Simple balustrade. | CT-122 |
| 754 | Unity Road | MP 33.03, Trumbull | 1940 (reconstructed 1997) | Moderne. Steel span with concrete abutments. | Railing of horizontal strips with decorative posts and curling inserts. | CT-123 |
| 5256 5257 |
Route 8 | MP 34.11, Trumbull | 1983 | Utilitarian. Concrete abutments with straight steel beam span. | Two separate bridges Not on NRHP |
|
| 756 | Huntington Road | MP 34.84, Stratford | 1940 | Moderne. Concrete, single span, segmental arch on piers. | Faceted quoins adorn pylons and solid parapet. | CT-126 |
| 757 | Cutspring Road | MP 35.34, Stratford | 1940 | Moderne. Concrete, single span, segmental arch. | Solid panel of white concrete at center of balustrade. | CT-127 |
| 758 | Pumpkin Brook | MP 35.57, Stratford | 1941 | Minor structure Not on NRHP |
CT-128 | |
| 760 | Main Street (Route 110) | MP 36.87, Stratford | 1940 (reconstructed 1997) | Art Deco. Concrete abutments, metal span and railing. Single span, segmental arch on piers. | Stripes of different-colored concrete continue lines of arch onto abutments. Giant sheet metal cut-outs of flowers and leaves ornament spandrels. | CT-130 |
Bridge drawings
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Bridge drawing (Greenwich)
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Bridge drawing (Stamford)
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Bridge drawing (New Canaan)
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Bridge drawing (Norwalk)
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Bridge drawing (Westport)
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Bridge drawing (Fairfield)
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Bridge drawing (Trumbull)
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Bridge drawing (Stratford)
See also
References
- National Register of Historic Places, Merritt Parkway nomination form, 1991
- Connecticut Historic Bridge Inventory, 1991
- Connecticut State Highway Log, 2007
- National Bridge Inventory, 2008
- Images of America - Traveling The Merritt Parkway, Larry Larned, 1998
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