CTDOT LogoHome
Connecticut Transportation Asset Management

Retaining Walls

Fact Sheet Year:
Data Confidence
Low
Bridge Pavement Traffic Signals Signs Sign Supports Pavement Markings Highway Buildings Illumination Retaining Walls Drainage Culverts ITS - ATMS
Download PDF 2024 Factsheet
Disclaimer: This site contains data for CTDOT's Transportation Asset Management Program, which is only a portion of the overall highway and bridge capital program. Currently, performance and investment data depicted in these graphs are only based on State of Good Repair projects and do not represent the entire Capital Plan.


Download PDF 2023 Factsheet
Disclaimer: This site contains data for CTDOT's Transportation Asset Management Program, which is only a portion of the overall highway and bridge capital program. Currently, performance and investment data depicted in these graphs are only based on State of Good Repair projects and do not represent the entire Capital Plan.


Download PDF 2022 Factsheet
Disclaimer: This site contains data for CTDOT's Transportation Asset Management Program, which is only a portion of the overall highway and bridge capital program. Currently, performance and investment data depicted in these graphs are only based on State of Good Repair projects and do not represent the entire Capital Plan.


Description

  • CTDOT defines a retaining wall as a structure that provides a grade separation by retaining earth and/or rock.
  • CTDOT has currently identified and incorporated 909 retaining walls into its asset database. Plans to capture and rate the remaining wall population are ongoing.
  • There are 12 different retaining wall categories.
  • Bridge abutments, wingwalls, culvert headwalls and noise walls are considered separate assets.

State of Good
Repair (SOGR)

Retaining walls with a total rating of at least a 3 on a 0-6 condition scale are classified as being in a State of Good Repair.

Asset Age

While there is limited data available on life expectancy of retaining walls, empirical evidence indicate life expectancy ranging from 50 years (for Metal Bin walls and Concrete Crib walls) to well over 100 years (for Masonry walls).

Description

  • CTDOT defines a retaining wall as a structure that provides a grade separation by retaining earth and/or rock.
  • CTDOT has currently identified and incorporated 897 retaining walls into its asset database. Plans to capture and rate the remaining wall population are ongoing.
  • There are 12 different retaining wall categories.
  • Bridge abutments, wingwalls, culvert headwalls and barrier curbs shorter than 4 feet tall are considered separate assets.

State of Good
Repair (SOGR)

Retaining walls with a total rating of at least a 3 on a 0-6 condition scale are classified as being in a State of Good Repair.

Asset Age

While there is limited data available on life expectancy of retaining walls, empirical evidence indicate life expectancy ranging from 50 years (for Metal Bin walls and Concrete Crib walls) to well over 100 years (for Masonry walls).

Description

  • CTDOT defines a retaining wall as a structure that provides a grade separation by retaining earth and/or rock.
  • CTDOT has currently identified and incorporated 891 retaining walls into its asset database. Plans to capture and rate the remaining wall population are ongoing.
  • There are 12 different retaining wall categories.
  • Bridge abutments, wingwalls, culvert headwalls and barrier curbs shorter than 4 feet tall are considered separate assets.

State of Good
Repair (SOGR)

Retaining walls with a total rating of at least a 3 on a 0-6 condition scale are classified as being in a State of Good Repair.

Asset Age

While there is limited data available on life expectancy of retaining walls, empirical evidence indicate life expectancy ranging from 50 years (for Metal Bin walls and Concrete Crib walls) to well over 100 years (for Masonry walls).

CTDOT-Maintained Inventory and Condition

Download Data
Good
625 Retaining Walls
68.8% are in Good condition (Condition ratings of 5 or 6)
Fair
243 Retaining Walls
26.7% are in Fair condition (Condition ratings of 3 or 4)
Poor
41 Retaining Walls
4.5% are in Poor condition (Condition ratings of 0, 1, or 2)
Unknown
600+ Retaining Walls

In this chart:

  • Based on CTDOT 2010 inventory, with 2023 updates

History

Distribution of Retaining Walls by Decade Built

Download Data

In this chart:

  • Based on CTDOT 2010 inventory, with 2023 updates

CTDOT-Maintained Inventory and Condition

Download Data
Good
627 Retaining Walls
69.9% are in Good condition (Condition ratings of 5 or 6)
Fair
240 Retaining Walls
26.8% are in Fair condition (Condition ratings of 3 or 4)
Poor
30 Retaining Walls
3.3% are in Poor condition (Condition ratings of 0, 1, or 2)
Unknown
600+ Retaining Walls

In this chart:

  • Based on CTDOT 2010 inventory, with 2022 updates

History

Distribution of Retaining Walls by Decade Built

Download Data

In this chart:

  • Based on CTDOT 12/31/22 Snapshot

CTDOT-Maintained Inventory and Condition

Download Data
Good
633 Retaining Walls
71.0% are in Good condition (Condition ratings of 5 or 6)
Fair
240 Retaining Walls
27.0% are in Fair condition (Condition ratings of 3 or 4)
Poor
18 Retaining Walls
2.0% are in Poor condition (Condition ratings of 0, 1, or 2)
Unknown
600+ Retaining Walls

In this chart:

  • Based on CTDOT 2010 inventory, with 2021 updates

History

Distribution of Retaining Walls by Decade Built

Download Data

In this chart:

  • Based on CTDOT 2010 inventory

Performance Projections

The projections assume the CTDOT retaining wall fund invests in improvements to walls 60+ yrs old. Current data shows that concrete (cantilever & gravity) and masonry walls are in better condition compared to concrete crib and metal bin walls. Due to the longevity of retaining walls, 10-year projections do not fully capture the financial needs of this asset.

Asset Valuation

$377,424,072

Asset value is estimated using an average replacement cost per retaining wall unit area. For retaining walls, the average unit cost to replace a wall is estimated to be $118/sq ft. For 909 retaining walls with 3,198,509 sq ft (total average area) x $118/sq ft = $377,424,072

Measures & Goals

There are no Federal requirements at this time. CTDOT has set the following retaining wall condition goal:

  • 90% of retaining walls in a SOGR

Performance Projections

The projections assume the CTDOT retaining wall fund invests in improvements to walls 60+ yrs old. Current data shows that concrete (cantilever & gravity) and masonry walls are in better condition compared to concrete crib and metal bin walls.

Asset Valuation

$340,475,636

Asset value is estimated using an average replacement cost per retaining wall unit area. For retaining walls, the average unit cost to replace a wall is estimated to be $110/sf. For 897 retaining walls with 3,095,233 sq ft (total average area) x $110/sq ft = $340,475,636

Measures & Goals

There are no Federal requirements for retaining walls at this time. CTDOT has set the following state goal:

  • 90% of retaining walls in a SOGR

Performance Projections

The projections assume the CTDOT retaining wall fund invests in improvements to walls 60+ yrs old. Current data shows that concrete (cantilever, gravity) and masonry walls (50% of inventory) are in better condition compared to concrete crib and metal bin walls (3% of inventory). This inventory ratio is expected to change once the full retaining wall inventory is completed.

Asset Valuation

$249,819,000

Asset value is estimated using an average replacement cost per retaining wall unit area. For retaining walls, the average unit cost to replace a wall is estimated to be $110/sf. For 891 retaining walls with 2,271,076 sq ft (total average area) x $110/sq ft = $249,818,580

Measures & Goals

There are no Federal requirements for retaining walls at this time. CTDOT has set the following state goal:

  • 90% of retaining walls in a SOGR

Retaining Walls Performance Projections

State Goals by retaining wall for 1,509 retaining walls

Download Data

In this chart:

  • Based on CTDOT 2010 inventory, with 2023 updates
  • NOTE: "Current Funding" shown in the graphs is limited to funding programed to address State of Good Repair. Projected performance is expected to be greater due to asset improvements funded through CTDOT's Capital Program which are not captured. The Department will soon be able to capture this funding through a project asset data system in development.
  • Preferred funding assumes $7 million in annual funding until 2028, followed by $20m in annual funding through 2032.

Retaining Walls Performance Projections

State Goals by retaining wall for 1,497 retaining walls

Download Data

In this chart:

  • Based on CTDOT 2010 inventory, with 2022 updates
  • NOTE: "Current Funding" shown in the graphs is limited to funding programed to address State of Good Repair. Projected performance is expected to be greater due to asset improvements funded through CTDOT's Capital Program which are not captured. The Department will soon be able to capture this funding through a project asset data system in development.
  • Preferred funding assumes $7.5 million in annual funding until 2026, followed by $20m in annual funding through 2031.

Retaining Walls Performance Projections

State Goals by retaining wall for 1,491 retaining walls

Download Data

In this chart:

  • Based on CTDOT 2010 inventory, with 2021 updates