US Bridges

CR-542 over Saddle Creek

Fair

Polk County, Florida · 2.0 MI East of Combee RD · Structure no. 160100

Built
1957
68 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
165 ft
11 main spans
Daily traffic
7,800
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

CR-542 over Saddle Creek is a concrete slab carrying CR-542 over Saddle Creek in Polk County, Florida. It was built in 1957, so it is 68 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 7,800 vehicles a day, roughly 14% of them trucks, projected to reach 13,533 by 2042. The structure is 165 ft (50.3 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCR-542
CrossesSaddle Creek
Location2.0 MI East of Combee RD
RouteCounty Highway 542
CountyPolk County
StateFlorida
Coordinates28.04423, -81.87614
Functional classRural Major 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 protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating33.1 US tons
Inventory rating20 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans11
Design loadH 20
Structure length165 ft (50.3 m)
Longest span15 ft (4.6 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic7,800 (2023)
Projected traffic13,533 by 2042
Trucks14%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
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—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was CR-542 over Saddle Creek built?

It was built in 1957, making it 68 years old in 2025.

What condition is CR-542 over Saddle Creek 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does CR-542 over Saddle Creek carry?

About 7,800 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 14% are trucks.

How long is CR-542 over Saddle Creek?

The structure is 165 ft (50.3 m) long with a longest span of 15 ft (4.6 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns CR-542 over Saddle Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.