US Bridges

Local over Black Cat Creek

Fair

Emmet County, Iowa · 098312601 · Structure no. 000000000148441

Built
1978
47 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
45 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
20
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over Black Cat Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Local over Black Cat Creek in Emmet County, Iowa. It was built in 1978, so it is 47 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.

It carries about 20 vehicles a day, projected to reach 20 by 2043. The structure is 45 ft (13.7 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLocal
CrossesBlack Cat Creek
Location098312601
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyEmmet County
StateIowa
Coordinates43.28396, -94.47086
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating42.4 US tons
Inventory rating26.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length45 ft (13.7 m)
Longest span43 ft (13.1 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic20 (2022)
Projected traffic20 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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$350,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Local over Black Cat Creek built?

It was built in 1978, making it 47 years old in 2025.

What condition is Local over Black Cat 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Local over Black Cat Creek carry?

About 20 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local over Black Cat Creek?

The structure is 45 ft (13.7 m) long with a longest span of 43 ft (13.1 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Local over Black Cat Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.