US Bridges

CR-717 over Okeechobee Rim Canal

Fair

Palm Beach County, Florida · 1.9 MI West of SR-715 · Structure no. 930072

Built
1935
90 years old, rebuilt 1998
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Movable - Swing
Steel
Length
446 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,260
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

CR-717 over Okeechobee Rim Canal is a steel movable - swing carrying CR-717 over Okeechobee Rim Canal in Palm Beach County, Florida. It was built in 1935 and reconstructed in 1998, so it is 90 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 1,260 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,186 by 2044. The structure is 446 ft (136 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 100 mi (161 km).

Location

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CarriesCR-717
CrossesOkeechobee Rim Canal
Location1.9 MI West of SR-715
RouteCounty Highway 717
CountyPalm Beach County
StateFlorida
Coordinates26.70552, -80.71304
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating41.4 US tons
Inventory rating26.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeMovable - Swing
MaterialSteel
DeckOpen grating
Main spans1 (+9 approach)
Design loadH 10
Structure length446 ft (136 m)
Longest span154 ft (47 m)
Deck width16 ft (5 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,260 (2024)
Projected traffic2,186 by 2044
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed100 mi (161 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$438.6 million
NavigationNavigation control on waterway (bridge permit required)

Frequently asked questions

When was CR-717 over Okeechobee Rim Canal built?

It was built in 1935, making it 90 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1998.

What condition is CR-717 over Okeechobee Rim 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 CR-717 over Okeechobee Rim Canal carry?

About 1,260 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is CR-717 over Okeechobee Rim Canal?

The structure is 446 ft (136 m) long with a longest span of 154 ft (47 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns CR-717 over Okeechobee Rim Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.