US Bridges

Local over Buck Creek

Fair

Audubon County, Iowa · 078363201 · Structure no. 000000000067181

Built
1974
51 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
84 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
30
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over Buck Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Local over Buck Creek in Audubon County, Iowa. It was built in 1974, so it is 51 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 30 vehicles a day, projected to reach 30 by 2043. The structure is 84 ft (25.6 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLocal
CrossesBuck Creek
Location078363201
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyAudubon County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.5192, -95.01513
Functional classRural Local

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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating41.4 US tons
Inventory rating24.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length84 ft (25.6 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.8 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.8 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic30 (2022)
Projected traffic30 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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$650 million (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Local over Buck Creek built?

It was built in 1974, making it 51 years old in 2025.

What condition is Local over Buck 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Local over Buck Creek carry?

About 30 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local over Buck Creek?

The structure is 84 ft (25.6 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.8 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns Local over Buck Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.