US Bridges

Sparkman Road over Howell Branch

Fair

Hillsborough County, Florida · 2.0 MI E of SR-39 · Structure no. 104446

Built
1977
48 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
2,500
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sparkman Road over Howell Branch is a prestressed concrete channel beam carrying Sparkman Road over Howell Branch in Hillsborough County, Florida. It was built in 1977, so it is 48 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 5 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 2,500 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,125 by 2042. The structure is 31 ft (9.3 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSparkman Road
CrossesHowell Branch
Location2.0 MI E of SR-39
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyHillsborough County
StateFlorida
Coordinates27.97456, -82.0892
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating69.4 US tons
Inventory rating23.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length31 ft (9.3 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.3 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width26 ft (8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,500 (2023)
Projected traffic3,125 by 2042
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 Sparkman Road over Howell Branch built?

It was built in 1977, making it 48 years old in 2025.

What condition is Sparkman Road over Howell Branch 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does Sparkman Road over Howell Branch carry?

About 2,500 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Sparkman Road over Howell Branch?

The structure is 31 ft (9.3 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.3 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Sparkman Road over Howell Branch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.