US Bridges

Fern Avenue over Joes Canal

Fair

Monroe County, Florida · 230FT. North of Watson Bl · Structure no. 904307

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Slab
Prestressed Concrete
Length
26 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
700
2014 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Fern Avenue over Joes Canal is a prestressed concrete slab carrying Fern Avenue over Joes Canal in Monroe County, Florida. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 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 700 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,215 by 2036. The structure is 26 ft (8 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFern Avenue
CrossesJoes Canal
Location230FT. North of Watson Bl
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMonroe County
StateFlorida
Coordinates24.69142, -81.37585
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionSeptember 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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating59.2 US tons
Inventory rating35.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length26 ft (8 m)
Longest span26 ft (8 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.6 m)
Roadway width21 ft (6.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic700 (2014)
Projected traffic1,215 by 2036
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 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 Fern Avenue over Joes Canal built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is Fern Avenue over Joes 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 2023.

How much traffic does Fern Avenue over Joes Canal carry?

About 700 vehicles per day (2014 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Fern Avenue over Joes Canal?

The structure is 26 ft (8 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (8 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Fern Avenue over Joes Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.