US Bridges

NE 79 St. WB over Intracoastal Waterway

Fair

Miami-Dade County, Florida · 1.0 MI E of SR-5 · Structure no. 870082

Built
1972
53 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Movable - Bascule
Steel
Length
968 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
22,500
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NE 79 St. WB over Intracoastal Waterway is a steel movable - bascule carrying NE 79 St. WB over Intracoastal Waterway in Miami-Dade County, Florida. It was built in 1972, so it is 53 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 22,500 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 39,038 by 2044. The structure is 968 ft (295.1 m) long and 48 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesNE 79 St. WB
CrossesIntracoastal Waterway
Location1.0 MI E of SR-5
RouteState Highway 934
CountyMiami-Dade County
StateFlorida
Coordinates25.84801, -80.17129
Functional classUrban Other Principal Arterial

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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating44 US tons
Inventory rating26.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeMovable - Bascule
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1 (+13 approach)
Design loadHS 20
Structure length968 ft (295.1 m)
Longest span149 ft (45.5 m)
Deck width48 ft (14.6 m)
Roadway width40 ft (12.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deck99 ft (30.2 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic22,500 (2022)
Projected traffic39,038 by 2044
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure3
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$1.6 million
NavigationNavigation control on waterway (bridge permit required)

Frequently asked questions

When was NE 79 St. WB over Intracoastal Waterway built?

It was built in 1972, making it 53 years old in 2025.

What condition is NE 79 St. WB over Intracoastal 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does NE 79 St. WB over Intracoastal Waterway carry?

About 22,500 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is NE 79 St. WB over Intracoastal Waterway?

The structure is 968 ft (295.1 m) long with a longest span of 149 ft (45.5 m) and a deck 48 ft wide.

Who owns NE 79 St. WB over Intracoastal Waterway?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.