I-80 over Plunger Creek

Fair

Adair County, Iowa · 1.1 Mi. W of Jct. SR P28 · Structure no. 000000000013250

Built: 1959; 66 years old, rebuilt 2005
Condition: Fair; inspected February 2023
Type: Culvert; Concrete Continuous
Length: 32 ft; 3 main spans
Daily traffic: 25,900; 2022 count
Owner: State; State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I-80 over Plunger Creek is a concrete continuous culvert carrying I-80 over Plunger Creek in Adair County, Iowa. It was built in 1959 and reconstructed in 2005, so it is 66 years old, older than the Iowa average of 45.5 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 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 25,900 vehicles a day, roughly 38% of them trucks, projected to reach 25,900 by 2042. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long.

Location

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CarriesI-80

CrossesPlunger Creek

Location1.1 Mi. W of Jct. SR P28

RouteInterstate 80

CountyAdair County

StateIowa

Coordinates41.49293, -94.33887

Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Interstate

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

Component	Rating	Meaning
Channel and channel protection	5 Fair	All primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Culvert	5 Fair	All primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.

Last inspectionFebruary 2023

Inspection intervalevery 24 months

Operating statusOpen, no restriction

ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing

Structural evaluation4: 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 rating34.6 US tons

Inventory rating20.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert

MaterialConcrete Continuous

DeckNot applicable

Main spans3

Design loadHS 20

Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)

Longest span10 ft (3 m)

Deck width0 ft (0 m)

Roadway width0 ft (0 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic25,900 (2022)

Projected traffic25,900 by 2042

Trucks38%

Lanes on structure4

Traffic directionTwo-way traffic

CarriesHighway

CrossesWaterway

Detour if closed—

TollOn a free road

National Highway SystemYes

Strategic Highway NetworkInterstate STRAHNET route

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency

Maintained byState 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 I-80 over Plunger Creek built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2005.

What condition is I-80 over Plunger 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 February 2023.

How much traffic does I-80 over Plunger Creek carry?

About 25,900 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 38% are trucks.

How long is I-80 over Plunger Creek?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m).

Who owns I-80 over Plunger Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.