US Bridges

Columbus Drive over Hillsborough River

Fair

Hillsborough County, Florida · Columbus at Hill. River · Structure no. 105504

Built
1926
99 years old, rebuilt 2013
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Movable - Swing
Steel
Length
470 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
25,500
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Columbus Drive over Hillsborough River is a steel movable - swing carrying Columbus Drive over Hillsborough River in Hillsborough County, Florida. It was built in 1926 and reconstructed in 2013, so it is 99 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 25,500 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 31,875 by 2042. The structure is 470 ft (143.3 m) long and 42 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesColumbus Drive
CrossesHillsborough River
LocationColumbus at Hill. River
RouteCity Street 0
CountyHillsborough County
StateFlorida
Coordinates27.96678, -82.47512
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourCountermeasures installed to correct a previously existing problem
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating49.7 US tons
Inventory rating36.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeMovable - Swing
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1 (+11 approach)
Design loadHS 20
Structure length470 ft (143.3 m)
Longest span163 ft (49.7 m)
Deck width42 ft (12.9 m)
Roadway width40 ft (12.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic25,500 (2023)
Projected traffic31,875 by 2042
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure4
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 statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$5 million
NavigationNavigation control on waterway (bridge permit required)

Frequently asked questions

When was Columbus Drive over Hillsborough River built?

It was built in 1926, making it 99 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2013.

What condition is Columbus Drive over Hillsborough River 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does Columbus Drive over Hillsborough River carry?

About 25,500 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Columbus Drive over Hillsborough River?

The structure is 470 ft (143.3 m) long with a longest span of 163 ft (49.7 m) and a deck 42 ft wide.

Who owns Columbus Drive over Hillsborough River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.