US Bridges

Gear Ave over US 34

Fair

Des Moines County, Iowa · 1.6 Mi. W of Jct. US 61 · Structure no. 000000000023658

Built
1976
49 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
253 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
9,700
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Gear Ave over US 34 is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Gear Ave over US 34 in Des Moines County, Iowa. It was built in 1976, so it is 49 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 6 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 9,700 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 9,700 by 2043. The structure is 253 ft (77.1 m) long and 64 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesGear Ave
CrossesUS 34
Location1.6 Mi. W of Jct. US 61
RouteCity Street 0
CountyDes Moines County
StateIowa
Coordinates40.81692, -91.17008
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating95 US tons
Inventory rating40.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20
Structure length253 ft (77.1 m)
Longest span87 ft (26.5 m)
Deck width64 ft (19.4 m)
Roadway width56 ft (17.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic9,700 (2022)
Projected traffic9,700 by 2043
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesOverpass structure at an interchange
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Gear Ave over US 34 built?

It was built in 1976, making it 49 years old in 2025.

What condition is Gear Ave over US 34 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Gear Ave over US 34 carry?

About 9,700 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Gear Ave over US 34?

The structure is 253 ft (77.1 m) long with a longest span of 87 ft (26.5 m) and a deck 64 ft wide.

Who owns Gear Ave over US 34?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.