US Bridges

Local over Drainage Ditch

Poor

Buena Vista County, Iowa · 091372402 · Structure no. 000000000085221

Built
1971
54 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected August 2024
Type
Culvert
Steel
Length
35 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
100
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over Drainage Ditch is a steel culvert carrying Local over Drainage Ditch in Buena Vista County, Iowa. It was built in 1971, so it is 54 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 100 vehicles a day, projected to reach 100 by 2044. The structure is 35 ft (10.7 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
CrossesDrainage Ditch
Location091372402
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBuena Vista County
StateIowa
Coordinates42.68971, -95.17109
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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating25.6 US tons
Inventory rating18.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialSteel
DeckNot applicable
Main spans5
Design loadH 20
Structure length35 ft (10.7 m)
Longest span7 ft (2.1 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic100 (2022)
Projected traffic100 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 Drainage Ditch built?

It was built in 1971, making it 54 years old in 2025.

What condition is Local over Drainage Ditch 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Local over Drainage Ditch carry?

About 100 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local over Drainage Ditch?

The structure is 35 ft (10.7 m) long with a longest span of 7 ft (2.1 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Local over Drainage Ditch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.