Bridge Width 89 Feet

Figure 2-8 – US 301 over US 41/S Tamiami Trail

The DeSoto Bridge (#130053) was constructed in 1957 and carries US 41/US 301/Tamiami Trail over the Manatee River. The existing structure spans 2,225 feet and consists of a three-span main channel unit (70-feet-105-feet-70-feet continuous steel girders) and fifteen approach spans (66-foot pre-AASHTO post-tensioned (PT) concrete beams) on both sides. The superstructure is supported on concrete multi-column piers. The main channel piers are founded on mudline footings with steel h-piles, and all the approach piers in the water are founded on waterline footings, and the last three approach piers on the south side are founded on buried footings using both battered and plumb composite concrete and steel h-piles.

The existing typical section for the structure is a divided four-lane highway comprised of two 12-foot travel lanes, a 2-foot outside shoulder in each direction, and a 4-foot raised median and barrier wall. The mid-level fixed structure provides a clear navigational width of 75 feet (measured between the inside face of the fenders) and a 40-foot vertical navigational clearance above MHW.

Recent rehabilitation projects were undertaken in 2002, 2010, 2012, and 2017 to address maintenance issues with the structural steel, scour, concrete deck, PT beams, piles, columns, footings, and fender system. The bridge has substandard elements with design deficiencies, including narrow shoulders, no pedestrian facilities, and substandard bridge rails. The DeSoto Bridge has reached a critical threshold in which deterioration is expected to accelerate. Based on the age of the bridge with respect to its intended design life and structural condition, the bridge was programmed by FDOT for replacement. The typical section is shown in Figure 2-9. was programmed by FDOT for replacement. The typical section is shown in Figure 2-9.

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