Connecticut’s Historic Merrit Parkway Bridges, With More Than 60 Designs, Have An Interesting Backstory

We live in a world that likes to rush from one destination to another. Yet, as the old saying goes, "It's not about the destination, but the journey." It may be easier to take the interstate and get to the end of the line faster, but then you'd miss the view. The bridges on Merritt Parkway are always worth the view and the drive is one of the best scenic drives in New England.

The 39-mile, two-lane parkway is a beautiful route to take to get from Connecticut to New York City. The road has a ban on commercials vehicles, so you won't have to worry about large trucks. You can also enjoy a few rest stops along the route. But, just like any other roadway, it does slow down a bit during rush hour.

The Merritt Parkway is able to claim many roadway firsts. It was the first divided highway in Connecticut and the first in the nation to have cloverleafs and unique art deco bridges.

By making a more efficient way to travel to New York, Merritt Parkway played a large part in moving the country into a more modern way of living. The famous Merritt Parkway bridges were built in the 1930s and 1940s featuring the Art Deco and Art Moderne architectural styles of the time.

George L. Dunkelberger designed each of the 60 bridges with their own original designs. Dunkelberger had a vision of depicting the scenic openness around the parkway. Round Hill bridge is one bridge on which the open spacing was taken over by the vegetation creeping around it.

The green foliage makes it even more beautiful.

In 2020, the Connecticut Department of Transportation was recognized for its efforts in preserving the structure and design of the Lake Ave Bridge.

Whether you travel the parkway for your daily commute or you're embarking on your next adventure, you will enjoy seeing the beautiful bridges all along the 39-mile parkway.