US Bridges

Prudence Drive over Branch Canal

Fair

Sarasota County, Florida · 0.1 MI N/O 17th St. · Structure no. 174035

Built
1959
66 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
3,072
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Prudence Drive over Branch Canal is a prestressed concrete channel beam carrying Prudence Drive over Branch Canal in Sarasota County, Florida. It was built in 1959, so it is 66 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 3,072 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,330 by 2044. The structure is 31 ft (9.3 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesPrudence Drive
CrossesBranch Canal
Location0.1 MI N/O 17th St.
RouteCity Street 0
CountySarasota County
StateFlorida
Coordinates27.35408, -82.49046
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 protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating58.8 US tons
Inventory rating28.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length31 ft (9.3 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.3 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.8 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,072 (2024)
Projected traffic5,330 by 2044
Trucks5%
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

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 Prudence Drive over Branch Canal built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025.

What condition is Prudence Drive over Branch 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does Prudence Drive over Branch Canal carry?

About 3,072 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Prudence Drive over Branch Canal?

The structure is 31 ft (9.3 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.3 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns Prudence Drive over Branch Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.