US Bridges

Sunset Drive over Sunset Lake Canal

Fair

Miami-Dade County, Florida · 500 Ft. N of 20th Street · Structure no. 876707

Built
1926
99 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
126 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,168
2020 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sunset Drive over Sunset Lake Canal is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying Sunset Drive over Sunset Lake Canal in Miami-Dade County, Florida. It was built in 1926, 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 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 1,168 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,947 by 2042. The structure is 126 ft (38.4 m) long and 38 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

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CarriesSunset Drive
CrossesSunset Lake Canal
Location500 Ft. N of 20th Street
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMiami-Dade County
StateFlorida
Coordinates25.79652, -80.14173
Functional classUrban 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating59.7 US tons
Inventory rating35.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length126 ft (38.4 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width38 ft (11.6 m)
Roadway width32 ft (9.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,168 (2020)
Projected traffic1,947 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Historic statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNavigation control on waterway (bridge permit required)

Frequently asked questions

When was Sunset Drive over Sunset Lake Canal built?

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

What condition is Sunset Drive over Sunset Lake Canal 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Sunset Drive over Sunset Lake Canal carry?

About 1,168 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Sunset Drive over Sunset Lake Canal?

The structure is 126 ft (38.4 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 38 ft wide.

Who owns Sunset Drive over Sunset Lake Canal?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.