US Bridges

Local over Elkhorn Creek

Poor

Audubon County, Iowa · 078360604 · Structure no. 000000000066921

Built
1973
52 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected March 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
60 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
62
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over Elkhorn Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Local over Elkhorn Creek in Audubon County, Iowa. It was built in 1973, so it is 52 years old, older than the Iowa average of 45.5 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 62 vehicles a day, projected to reach 62 by 2043. The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLocal
CrossesElkhorn Creek
Location078360604
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyAudubon County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.58194, -95.04087
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating43.3 US tons
Inventory rating25.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length60 ft (18.3 m)
Longest span59 ft (18 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.4 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic62 (2022)
Projected traffic62 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Local over Elkhorn Creek built?

It was built in 1973, making it 52 years old in 2025.

What condition is Local over Elkhorn Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in March 2023.

How much traffic does Local over Elkhorn Creek carry?

About 62 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local over Elkhorn Creek?

The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long with a longest span of 59 ft (18 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns Local over Elkhorn Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.