US Bridges

Beacon Drive over Niagara Waterway

Fair

Charlotte County, Florida · 0.3MI S of New York Ave. · Structure no. 014027

Built
1964
61 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Slab
Prestressed Concrete
Length
84 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,340
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Beacon Drive over Niagara Waterway is a prestressed concrete slab carrying Beacon Drive over Niagara Waterway in Charlotte County, Florida. It was built in 1964, so it is 61 years old, older than the Florida average of 41.3 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 6 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 1,340 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,325 by 2042. The structure is 84 ft (25.6 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBeacon Drive
CrossesNiagara Waterway
Location0.3MI S of New York Ave.
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyCharlotte County
StateFlorida
Coordinates26.98225, -82.07558
Functional classUrban Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating79.1 US tons
Inventory rating47.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length84 ft (25.6 m)
Longest span28 ft (8.5 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.1 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,340 (2023)
Projected traffic2,325 by 2042
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Beacon Drive over Niagara Waterway built?

It was built in 1964, making it 61 years old in 2025.

What condition is Beacon Drive over Niagara Waterway in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in May 2023.

How much traffic does Beacon Drive over Niagara Waterway carry?

About 1,340 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Beacon Drive over Niagara Waterway?

The structure is 84 ft (25.6 m) long with a longest span of 28 ft (8.5 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns Beacon Drive over Niagara Waterway?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.