- Bridges of the Merritt Parkway
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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.
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.
Contents
Bridges crossing over the Merritt Parkway
Bridge No. Carries Location Built Design Notes 695 Round Hill Road MP 3.48, Greenwich 1935 Moderne/Modern Classicism. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 24'. Concrete with cast-concrete ornament. Adaptation of classical arch with keystone on pylons. Balustrade abstracted from classical sources. 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. 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. 699 Stanwich Road MP 7.44, Greenwich 1936 (reconstructed 1990) Moderne. Concrete rigid frame bridge. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 64'. Bas-relief shield displaying winged wheel near top of each abutment. Cream-colored concrete with gray cast ornament. 700 Guinea Road MP 8.11, Stamford 1937 Classical Revival/Rustic. Concrete arch bridge, 80'. Single span, segmental arch. Faced with rock-faced rubble stone and with rusticated voussoirs of rock-faced granite. 702 Riverbank Road MP 8.60, Stamford 1937 Moderne. Concrete rigid-frame bridge. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 63'. Faceted pylons; abstracted classical balustrades with enlarged faceted pedestals separating sections of plain balusters. 704 Wire Mill Road MP 9.91, Stamford 1938 Moderne/Modern Classicism. Rigid frame bridge. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 63'. Concrete, colored gray and yellow. Balustrade with cartouche at center of span bearing Connecticut State Seal. Arching approaches. 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. 708 Ponus Ridge Road MP 12.29, New Canaan 1937 Moderne/Modern Classicism. Concrete rigid frame bridge. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 63'. Cast-concrete ornament. Rusticated abutments; balustrade with cartouche bearing Connecticut State Seal at center of span. 710 Metro-North railroad bridge MP 13.32, New Canaan 1937 Moderne. Concrete. Double span, segmental arches on piers, restrained ornament. 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'. Crenellated parapet. Cast panels with floral motifs ornament abutments. Grooved striations follow vertical and horizontal lines of abutments and span.
Original 1937 bridge replaced.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. 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'. Saw-toothed parapet. On abutments, ornaments suggesting exfoliation of stone curl over vertical rods. 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'. 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.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'. Abutments have inset bas-relief panels depicting a Puritan and an Indian. Parapet of simple posts and panels. 722 West Rocks Road MP 18.08, Norwalk 1938 (reconstructed 1986) Moderne. Structural steel rigid frame bridge. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 64'. Restrained ornament. Split pylons. Crenellated molding. Recently repaired. Chainlink fence added at top. 723 East Rocks Road MP 18.48, Norwalk 1938 Moderne/Modern Classicism. Concrete rigid frame bridge. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 77'. Balustrade with Connecticut State Seal on shield at center of span. 724 Grumman Avenue MP 18.97, Norwalk 1938 (reconstructed 1997) Moderne/Modern Classicism. Concrete rigid frame bridge. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 60'. 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. 726 Newtown Turnpike MP 20.24, Westport 1939 French Renaissance Revival. Concrete rigid frame bridge, 60'. 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. 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. 732 North Avenue MP 22.46, Westport 1939 Art Deco. Concrete rigid frame bridge. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 60'. 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. 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. 736 Redding Road MP 24.71, Fairfield 1939 Moderne. Concrete, single span, segmental arch on piers. Crenellated parapet 737 Congress Street MP 25.22, Fairfield 1938 Moderne. Concrete rigid frame bridge. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 60'. Towering skyscraper-like pylons flank a parapet with panels that project and recede in steps. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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'. 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. 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 Rocky Hill Road (abandoned) MP 32.40, Trumbull 1935 Moderne/Utilitarian. Concrete abutments, boxed steel span, 62'8". Built-up pylons. Panels and rivets of span seem to be designed at least partially for decorative appearance. 5294 Nichols Avenue (Route 108), MP 33.73, Trumbull 1983 Utilitarian. Concrete abutments with straight steel beam span. Original 1940 bridge replaced
Not on NRHP
HABS Huntington Turnpike Bridge Trumbull5292 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". Bridges carrying the Merritt Parkway
Bridge No. Crosses over Location Built Design Notes 691 Byram River MP 1.63, Greenwich 1934 (reconstructed 1997) Utilitarian. Concrete, single straight span. 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.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. 694 Converse Pond Brook MP 2.84, Greenwich 1935 Utilitarian/Moderne. Concrete straight span. Very simple; balustrade with chamfered balusters. 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. 701 Mianus River MP 8.26, Stamford 1937 703 Long Ridge Road (Route 104) MP 9.47, Stamford 1936 Moderne. Rigid frame concrete. Segmental arch on piers, 52'. Pleated parapet. Applied ornament in quarter-circle sunbursts and fountains. 705 Rippowam River MP 10.12, Stamford 1936 Rustic. Concrete arch, 56'. Rock-faced random ashlar facing. 706 High Ridge Road (Route 137) MP 10.66, Stamford 1937 (reconstructed 1994) Moderne. Structural steel. Single span, segmental arch, 45'. Molded strip of geometric ornament at top of pylons. 709 Old Stamford Road (Route 106) MP 13.24, New Canaan 1937 (reconstructed 1994) Moderne. Reinforced concrete, rigid frame. Single span, segmental arch, 45'. Vertically striated pylons and solid parapet of panels and pedestals. Bas-relief of Connecticut State Seal on inner face of pylons. 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'. Triangular pylons with inset tracery panels; balustrade has low pointed arches between square posts. Shield on inner face of pylons. 717 Silvermine Avenue MP 16.75, Norwalk 1938 Moderne. Concrete, segmental arch on piers. Stepped pylons and simple balustrade.
HABS - Silvermine Avenue Bridge718 Silvermine River MP 16.77, Norwalk 1958 Original 1938 bridge replaced
Not on NRHP
HABS - Silvermine River Bridge719 Perry Avenue MP 17.11, Norwalk 1936 Moderne/Modern Classicism. Concrete rigid frame bridge. Single span, round arch, 30'. Prominent keystone. Simple balustrade. Bas-relief of Connecticut State Seal on inner face of pylons. 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'. Segmental arch on piers with wing walls. 721 Norwalk River MP 17.51, Norwalk 1938 (reconstructed 1988) Utilitarian. Concrete triple-arch bridge, 86'. Rounded arches with buttressed center pier. 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' Random rubble facing with rock-faced granite voussoirs, quoins, and coping. 725 Chestnut Hill Road (Route 53) MP 19.56, Norwalk 1937 Concrete, simple balustrade. 727/5763 Wilton Road (Route 33) MP 20.64, Westport 1989 Modern Classicism. Concrete T-beam bridge, 52'. Original 1935 bridge replaced.
Wing walls with plain coping. Simple pylons and balustrade.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. 730 Weston Road (Route 57) MP 21.57, Westport 1938 (reconstructed 1994) Moderne. Rigid frame concrete bridge, 48'. Single skew span, segmental arch on piers. Simple forms with crenellated parapet. 731 Easton Road (Route 136) MP 21.74, Westport 1938 (reconstructed 1994) Moderne. Structural steel rigid frame bridge, 60'. 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. 733 Bayberry Lane MP 23.08, Westport 1939 Moderne. Concrete, elliptical arch. Balustrade with flat posts bearing pyramidal raised panels. 734 Cross Highway MP 23.58, Fairfield 1938 Moderne. Concrete rigid frame. Single span, round arch, 36'. Built-up pylons have inset panels with naturalistic bas-relief flowers. Pierced parapet. 738 Hillside Road MP 25.44, Fairfield 1940 Moderne Concrete parapet with simple balustrade. 740 Black Rock Turnpike (Route 58) MP 27.03, Fairfield 1938 Moderne. Concrete, rigid frame bridge. Single span, segmental arch on piers, 61'. 741 Cricker Brook MP 27.09, Fairfield 1940 Minor structure
Not on NRHP743 Mill River MP 28.05, Fairfield 1940 Utilitarian. Concrete, segmental arch No parapet or balustrade. 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. 752 Pequonnock River MP 32.43, Trumbull 1993 Original 1935 bridge replaced
Not on NRHP753 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. 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. 5256
5257Route 8 MP 34.11, Trumbull 1983 Utilitarian. Concrete abutments with straight steel beam span. Two separate bridges
Not on NRHP756 Huntington Road MP 34.84, Stratford 1940 Moderne. Concrete, single span, segmental arch on piers. Faceted quoins adorn pylons and solid parapet. 757 Cutspring Road MP 35.34, Stratford 1940 Moderne. Concrete, single span, segmental arch. Solid panel of white concrete at center of balustrade. 758 Pumpkin Brook MP 35.57, Stratford 1941 Minor structure
Not on NRHP760 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. 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)
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
Categories:- Bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Connecticut
- Transportation in Fairfield County, Connecticut
- Bridges in Fairfield County, Connecticut
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