US Bridges

CR-542 over Lake Howard Canal

Fair

Polk County, Florida · 1.1 Mi. West of US-17 · Structure no. 160096

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
75 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
10,100
2024 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

CR-542 over Lake Howard Canal is a concrete tee beam carrying CR-542 over Lake Howard Canal in Polk County, Florida. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 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 10,100 vehicles a day, roughly 14% of them trucks, projected to reach 17,524 by 2044. The structure is 75 ft (22.8 m) long and 40 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCR-542
CrossesLake Howard Canal
Location1.1 Mi. West of US-17
RouteCounty Highway 542
CountyPolk County
StateFlorida
Coordinates28.0324, -81.74839
Functional classUrban Collector

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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionFebruary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating66.2 US tons
Inventory rating39.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length75 ft (22.8 m)
Longest span25 ft (7.6 m)
Deck width40 ft (12.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10,100 (2024)
Projected traffic17,524 by 2044
Trucks14%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 CR-542 over Lake Howard Canal built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is CR-542 over Lake Howard 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 February 2024.

How much traffic does CR-542 over Lake Howard Canal carry?

About 10,100 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 14% are trucks.

How long is CR-542 over Lake Howard Canal?

The structure is 75 ft (22.8 m) long with a longest span of 25 ft (7.6 m) and a deck 40 ft wide.

Who owns CR-542 over Lake Howard Canal?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.