US Bridges

Richland Road over Bear Creek

Fair

Polk County, Florida · 0.1 MI North of Shady LN · Structure no. 165101

Built
1965
60 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
23 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,500
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Richland Road over Bear Creek is a prestressed concrete channel beam carrying Richland Road over Bear Creek in Polk County, Florida. It was built in 1965, so it is 60 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 1,500 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,603 by 2042. The structure is 23 ft (7 m) long and 35 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRichland Road
CrossesBear Creek
Location0.1 MI North of Shady LN
RouteCity Street 0
CountyPolk County
StateFlorida
Coordinates27.90683, -81.84746
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating49.5 US tons
Inventory rating29.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length23 ft (7 m)
Longest span23 ft (7 m)
Deck width35 ft (10.7 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,500 (2023)
Projected traffic2,603 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 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 Richland Road over Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025.

What condition is Richland Road over Bear 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does Richland Road over Bear Creek carry?

About 1,500 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Richland Road over Bear Creek?

The structure is 23 ft (7 m) long with a longest span of 23 ft (7 m) and a deck 35 ft wide.

Who owns Richland Road over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.