US Bridges

Local over Prairie Creek

PoorPosted for load

Benton County, Iowa · 082110701 · Structure no. 000000000070431

Built
1974
51 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected April 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
34 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
15
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over Prairie Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying Local over Prairie Creek in Benton 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 poor condition with a lowest component rating of 3 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 15 vehicles a day, projected to reach 15 by 2044. The structure is 34 ft (10.4 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLocal
CrossesPrairie Creek
Location082110701
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBenton County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.93495, -92.18067
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.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating19.1 US tons
Inventory rating13 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length34 ft (10.4 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.4 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.8 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic15 (2021)
Projected traffic15 by 2044
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 Prairie Creek built?

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

What condition is Local over Prairie 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 April 2024.

How much traffic does Local over Prairie Creek carry?

About 15 vehicles per day (2021 count).

How long is Local over Prairie Creek?

The structure is 34 ft (10.4 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.4 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Local over Prairie Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.