US Bridges

Local Road over Fork of Rathbun Lake

Fair

Appanoose County, Iowa · 070191010 · Structure no. 000000000066225

Built
1968
57 years old, rebuilt 2004
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
404 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
440
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local Road over Fork of Rathbun Lake is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Local Road over Fork of Rathbun Lake in Appanoose County, Iowa. It was built in 1968 and reconstructed in 2004, so it is 57 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 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 440 vehicles a day, roughly 20% of them trucks, projected to reach 440 by 2043. The structure is 404 ft (123.1 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 29.8 mi (48 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLocal Road
CrossesFork of Rathbun Lake
Location070191010
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyAppanoose County
StateIowa
Coordinates40.8729, -93.03637
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 protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating57.4 US tons
Inventory rating34.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadH 20
Structure length404 ft (123.1 m)
Longest span88 ft (26.8 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic440 (2022)
Projected traffic440 by 2043
Trucks20%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed29.8 mi (48 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 proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$30,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Local Road over Fork of Rathbun Lake built?

It was built in 1968, making it 57 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2004.

What condition is Local Road over Fork of Rathbun Lake 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Local Road over Fork of Rathbun Lake carry?

About 440 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 20% are trucks.

How long is Local Road over Fork of Rathbun Lake?

The structure is 404 ft (123.1 m) long with a longest span of 88 ft (26.8 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Local Road over Fork of Rathbun Lake?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.