US Bridges

Palmetto Park Road over Intracoastal Waterway

Good

Palm Beach County, Florida · 0.8 Mile East of US-1 · Structure no. 934908

Built
1987
38 years old
Condition
Good
inspected October 2023
Type
Movable - Bascule
Steel
Length
516 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
15,000
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Palmetto Park Road over Intracoastal Waterway is a steel movable - bascule carrying Palmetto Park Road over Intracoastal Waterway in Palm Beach County, Florida. It was built in 1987, so it is 38 years old, younger than the Florida average of 41.3 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 15,000 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 21,372 by 2042. The structure is 516 ft (157.3 m) long and 73 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesPalmetto Park Road
CrossesIntracoastal Waterway
Location0.8 Mile East of US-1
RouteCounty Highway 798
CountyPalm Beach County
StateFlorida
Coordinates26.35067, -80.07558
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating52 US tons
Inventory rating31 US tons

Structure

Structure typeMovable - Bascule
MaterialSteel
DeckOpen grating
Main spans1 (+8 approach)
Design loadHS 20
Structure length516 ft (157.3 m)
Longest span138 ft (42.2 m)
Deck width73 ft (22.1 m)
Roadway width58 ft (17.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic15,000 (2023)
Projected traffic21,372 by 2042
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesHighway and waterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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—
NavigationNavigation control on waterway (bridge permit required)

Frequently asked questions

When was Palmetto Park Road over Intracoastal Waterway built?

It was built in 1987, making it 38 years old in 2025.

What condition is Palmetto Park Road over Intracoastal Waterway in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in October 2023.

How much traffic does Palmetto Park Road over Intracoastal Waterway carry?

About 15,000 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Palmetto Park Road over Intracoastal Waterway?

The structure is 516 ft (157.3 m) long with a longest span of 138 ft (42.2 m) and a deck 73 ft wide.

Who owns Palmetto Park Road over Intracoastal Waterway?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.