US Bridges

Fs Area Road over Long Creek

FairPosted for load

Des Moines County, Iowa · Approx. 3000 N. of Rd. I · Structure no. DAPAMCIOW005408

Built
1946
79 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
61 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
10
2022 count
Owner
Federal
Army

About this bridge

Fs Area Road over Long Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Fs Area Road over Long Creek in Des Moines County, Iowa. It was built in 1946, so it is 79 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 10 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 15 by 2046. The structure is 61 ft (18.6 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesFs Area Road
CrossesLong Creek
LocationApprox. 3000 N. of Rd. I
CountyDes Moines County
StateIowa
Coordinates40.79215, -91.27655
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
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 alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating83.9 US tons
Inventory rating50.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length61 ft (18.6 m)
Longest span21 ft (6.3 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.6 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10 (2022)
Projected traffic15 by 2046
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerArmy
Maintained byArmy
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$26,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Fs Area Road over Long Creek built?

It was built in 1946, making it 79 years old in 2025.

What condition is Fs Area Road over Long 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 April 2024.

How much traffic does Fs Area Road over Long Creek carry?

About 10 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Fs Area Road over Long Creek?

The structure is 61 ft (18.6 m) long with a longest span of 21 ft (6.3 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Fs Area Road over Long Creek?

It is owned by the Army.