US Bridges

Local over Buffalo Creek

FairPosted for load

Crawford County, Iowa · 084392707 · Structure no. 000000000129170

Built
1939
86 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
63 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
82
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over Buffalo Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Local over Buffalo Creek in Crawford County, Iowa. It was built in 1939, so it is 86 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 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 82 vehicles a day, projected to reach 82 by 2044. The structure is 63 ft (19.2 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLocal
CrossesBuffalo Creek
Location084392707
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyCrawford County
StateIowa
Coordinates42.05854, -95.37834
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating32.3 US tons
Inventory rating20.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length63 ft (19.2 m)
Longest span60 ft (18.3 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.5 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic82 (2022)
Projected traffic82 by 2044
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Local over Buffalo Creek built?

It was built in 1939, making it 86 years old in 2025.

What condition is Local over Buffalo 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does Local over Buffalo Creek carry?

About 82 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local over Buffalo Creek?

The structure is 63 ft (19.2 m) long with a longest span of 60 ft (18.3 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Local over Buffalo Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.