US Bridges

Local over Bluff Creek

Poor

Boone County, Iowa · 085271701 · Structure no. 000000000078320

Built
1920
105 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected May 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
22 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
30
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over Bluff Creek is a concrete slab carrying Local over Bluff Creek in Boone County, Iowa. It was built in 1920, so it is 105 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 30 vehicles a day, projected to reach 30 by 2044. The structure is 22 ft (6.7 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
CrossesBluff Creek
Location085271701
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBoone County
StateIowa
Coordinates42.18096, -94.02505
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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
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 rating54.3 US tons
Inventory rating29.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length22 ft (6.7 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.4 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic30 (2022)
Projected traffic30 by 2044
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 Bluff Creek built?

It was built in 1920, making it 105 years old in 2025.

What condition is Local over Bluff 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does Local over Bluff Creek carry?

About 30 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local over Bluff Creek?

The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns Local over Bluff Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.