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Coordinates: 41°21′51″N 72°5′15″W / 41.36417°N 72.08750°W / 41.36417; -72.08750
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==Monitoring Efforts==
==Monitoring Efforts==
Since December 2015, the Connecticut Department of Transportation deployed a [[Resensys]] remote monitoring system to monitor the fracture critical member of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge.<ref>[http://www.resensys.com/Blog/?p=417 "Resensys Receives New Project to wirelessly Monitor Strain on Connecticut’s Largest Structure
Since December 2015, the Connecticut Department of Transportation deployed a [[Draft:Resensys]] remote monitoring system to monitor the fracture critical member of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge.<ref>[http://www.resensys.com/Blog/?p=417 "Resensys Receives New Project to wirelessly Monitor Strain on Connecticut’s Largest Structure
"]</ref>. The system has been in use to monitor strain on selected girders, truss members and gusset plates, as well as the tilting of rocker bearings of the bridge.
"]</ref>. The system has been in use to monitor strain on selected girders, truss members and gusset plates, as well as the tilting of rocker bearings of the bridge.


Revision as of 23:49, 28 August 2017

Gold Star Memorial Bridge
A view of the two spans of The Gold Star Memorial Bridge, as seen from the pedestrian path on the Groton side, looking back toward New London across the Thames River.
Coordinates41°21′51″N 72°05′15″W / 41.3642°N 72.0875°W / 41.3642; -72.0875
CarriesMotor vehicles and a pedestrian/bicycle path on the south span
I-95 / US 1
CrossesThames River
LocaleNew London, Connecticut
Official nameGold Star Memorial Bridge
Maintained byConnecticut Department of Transportation
Characteristics
DesignTruss - Deck
Total length1,807.8 m (5,931 ft 1+1⁄4 in) / 1,941 m (6,368 ft 1+3⁄8 in)
Width24.4 m (80 ft 5⁄8 in) /
24.4 m (80 ft 5⁄8 in)
Clearance below41.1 m (134 ft 10+1⁄8 in)
History
Opened1943 (twinned 1973)
Location
Map

The Gold Star Memorial Bridge is a pair of steel truss bridges that carry both Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1 across the Thames River between New London, Connecticut, US and Groton, Connecticut. The bridge is the largest structure in the state with more than 1,000,000 sq ft (93,000 m2) of deck area, and the longest bridge in the state at 6,000 feet (1,829 m).[1] Its 11 highway lanes accommodate an average daily traffic of 117,000 vehicles.[2] The bridge is actually a set of twin bridges, but they are generally spoken of using the singular "bridge;" the local media and residents refer to it as "The Goldstar".

History

The bridge was completed in 1943 as a single span. It was part of Southeastern Connecticut's "free span" highway bypass, a short 3.6-mile (5.8 km) long four-lane stretch connecting New London to Groton, Connecticut. As part of the new highway, the bridge's purpose was to remove automobiles from a previous bridge that carried U.S. Route 1 over the Thames River.[3] In 1958, the bypass was connected to the intersection of routes 95 and 395 in East Lyme.[4]

The 13-mile (21 km) Route 184 bypass was completed to the Rhode Island border on December 12, 1964, officially making the bridge and both bypasses part of Interstate 95.[4] In 1951, the bridge was designated as the Gold Star Memorial Bridge in honor of members of the Armed Forces from Groton, New London, and Waterford who lost their lives during World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.[5]

During construction of the second span on July 1, 1972, the US Coast Guard Academy's three-masted barque USCGC Eagle (WIX-327) was involved in a serious accident with the bridge as she was returning to her berth in New London. The ship's foremast and mainmast caught the safety netting slung below the new bridge, despite extensive precautions, as she passed below the original span and the new span being built parallel to it. Both masts were snapped off about seven-eighths of the way up, the upper parts left hanging dangerously from the remaining upright masts. The ship had to undergo emergency repairs as a result.

The bridge's second span was completed in 1973.[6]

Design

The design is a pair of steel truss bridges, each composed of eleven spans.[7][8]

The posted traffic speed limit is 55 miles per hour.

The bridge's southbound span has a sidewalk/bike path accessible from Bridge St and Riverview Ave on the Groton side and Williams Street on the New London side.[9][10]

Monitoring Efforts

Since December 2015, the Connecticut Department of Transportation deployed a Draft:Resensys remote monitoring system to monitor the fracture critical member of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge.[11]. The system has been in use to monitor strain on selected girders, truss members and gusset plates, as well as the tilting of rocker bearings of the bridge.

  • Panorama from the south, showing the northbound span and Amtrak bridge
    Panorama from the south, showing the northbound span and Amtrak bridge

Notes

  1. ^ "WTS CT Valley Chapter: 2009 Annual Awards Program" (PDF). Women's Transportation Seminar. 8 April 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "2006 Traffic Volumes State Maintained Highway Network (Traffic Log)" (PDF). Connecticut Department of Transportation. 2006. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  3. ^ Oglesby, Scott (30 November 2009). "Connecticut US 1". Kurimi. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  4. ^ a b "Connecticut Turnpike". nycroads.com. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  5. ^ "2005 Connecticut Code - Sec. 13a-31. Gold Star Memorial Bridge named". Justia. 2005. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  6. ^ New London Day, July 1, 1972.
  7. ^ "Gold Star Memorial Bridge". Bridgehunter. 19 March 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  8. ^ "Gold Star Memorial Bridge". Structurae. 28 February 2007. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  9. ^ "BIKE NEW LONDON BIKE ROUTES, TRAILS, AND MAPS". Bike New London. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  10. ^ "2009 Connecticut Bicycle Map" (PDF). Connecticut Department of Transportation. Retrieved 14 August 2011.[permanent dead link‍]
  11. ^ [http://www.resensys.com/Blog/?p=417 "Resensys Receives New Project to wirelessly Monitor Strain on Connecticut’s Largest Structure "]

41°21′51″N 72°5′15″W / 41.36417°N 72.08750°W / 41.36417; -72.08750

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