US Bridges

Ia 44 over Bluegrass Creek

Fair

Audubon County, Iowa · 0.1 Mi. E of Jct. US 71 · Structure no. 000000000014190

Built
1959
66 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
184 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
830
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Ia 44 over Bluegrass Creek is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Ia 44 over Bluegrass Creek in Audubon County, Iowa. It was built in 1959, 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 830 vehicles a day, roughly 20% of them trucks, projected to reach 830 by 2044. The structure is 184 ft (56.1 m) long and 64 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.8 mi (19 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesIa 44
CrossesBluegrass Creek
Location0.1 Mi. E of Jct. US 71
RouteState Highway 44
CountyAudubon County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.66678, -94.90434
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating78.5 US tons
Inventory rating40.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length184 ft (56.1 m)
Longest span69 ft (21 m)
Deck width64 ft (19.4 m)
Roadway width58 ft (17.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic830 (2022)
Projected traffic830 by 2044
Trucks20%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed11.8 mi (19 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

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 Ia 44 over Bluegrass Creek built?

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

What condition is Ia 44 over Bluegrass 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 2024.

How much traffic does Ia 44 over Bluegrass Creek carry?

About 830 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 20% are trucks.

How long is Ia 44 over Bluegrass Creek?

The structure is 184 ft (56.1 m) long with a longest span of 69 ft (21 m) and a deck 64 ft wide.

Who owns Ia 44 over Bluegrass Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.