US Bridges

Sunset Drive over Sunset Lake Canal

Fair

Miami-Dade County, Florida · 0.4 Mile N of Alton Rd. · Structure no. 876708

Built
1926
99 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
146 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
857
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 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 857 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,093 by 2042. The structure is 146 ft (44.6 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
Location0.4 Mile N of Alton Rd.
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMiami-Dade County
StateFlorida
Coordinates25.7985, -80.14378
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating52.2 US tons
Inventory rating31.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length146 ft (44.6 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.3 m)
Deck width38 ft (11.7 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic857 (2020)
Projected traffic1,093 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 September 2024.

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

About 857 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Sunset Drive over Sunset Lake Canal?

The structure is 146 ft (44.6 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.3 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.