US Bridges

Local over Short Creek

PoorPosted for load

Decatur County, Iowa · 070271308 · Structure no. 000000000139070

Built
1967
58 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
81 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
30
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over Short Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Local over Short Creek in Decatur County, Iowa. It was built in 1967, so it is 58 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 30 vehicles a day, projected to reach 30 by 2043. The structure is 81 ft (24.7 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

CarriesLocal
CrossesShort Creek
Location070271308
RouteCounty Highway 0
StateIowa
Coordinates40.85656, -93.90522
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, 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 inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating12 US tons
Inventory rating6 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length81 ft (24.7 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6 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 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$1 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Local over Short Creek built?

It was built in 1967, making it 58 years old in 2025.

What condition is Local over Short 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does Local over Short Creek carry?

About 30 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local over Short Creek?

The structure is 81 ft (24.7 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Local over Short Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.