US Bridges

St. Pauls Drive over Pope Canal

Fair

Pinellas County, Florida · 0.5MI S of Belleair RD · Structure no. 156301

Built
1975
50 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
22 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
545
2025 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

St. Pauls Drive over Pope Canal is a concrete culvert carrying St. Pauls Drive over Pope Canal in Pinellas County, Florida. It was built in 1975, so it is 50 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 545 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 946 by 2045. The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesSt. Pauls Drive
CrossesPope Canal
Location0.5MI S of Belleair RD
RouteCity Street 0
CountyPinellas County
StateFlorida
Coordinates27.93515, -82.75755
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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating88.8 US tons
Inventory rating49.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans4
Design loadUnknown
Structure length22 ft (6.7 m)
Longest span4 ft (1.2 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic545 (2025)
Projected traffic946 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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 St. Pauls Drive over Pope Canal built?

It was built in 1975, making it 50 years old in 2025.

What condition is St. Pauls Drive over Pope 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does St. Pauls Drive over Pope Canal carry?

About 545 vehicles per day (2025 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is St. Pauls Drive over Pope Canal?

The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long with a longest span of 4 ft (1.2 m).

Who owns St. Pauls Drive over Pope Canal?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.