Ia 3 over Otter Creek

Fair

Fayette County, Iowa · 2.4 Mi. W of Jct. Ia 150 · Structure no. 000000000024440

Built: 1922; 103 years old, rebuilt 1959
Condition: Fair; inspected April 2023
Type: Slab; Concrete Continuous
Length: 83 ft; 3 main spans
Daily traffic: 1,730; 2022 count
Owner: State; State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Ia 3 over Otter Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying Ia 3 over Otter Creek in Fayette County, Iowa. It was built in 1922 and reconstructed in 1959, so it is 103 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 1,730 vehicles a day, roughly 15% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,730 by 2042. The structure is 83 ft (25.3 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

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CarriesIa 3

CrossesOtter Creek

Location2.4 Mi. W of Jct. Ia 150

RouteState Highway 3

CountyFayette County

StateIowa

Coordinates42.71495, -91.96118

Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Other

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

Component	Rating	Meaning
Deck	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection	7 Good	Some minor problems.

Last inspectionApril 2023

Inspection intervalevery 24 months

Operating statusOpen, no restriction

ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles

Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is

Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Operating rating49.8 US tons

Inventory rating29.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab

MaterialConcrete Continuous

DeckConcrete, cast-in-place

Main spans3

Design loadH 20

Structure length83 ft (25.3 m)

Longest span31 ft (9.4 m)

Deck width34 ft (10.4 m)

Roadway width30 ft (9.2 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,730 (2022)

Projected traffic1,730 by 2042

Trucks15%

Lanes on structure2

Traffic directionTwo-way traffic

CarriesHighway

CrossesWaterway

Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 km)

TollOn a free road

National Highway SystemYes

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—

NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Ia 3 over Otter Creek built?

It was built in 1922, making it 103 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1959.

What condition is Ia 3 over Otter 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 2023.

How much traffic does Ia 3 over Otter Creek carry?

About 1,730 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 15% are trucks.

How long is Ia 3 over Otter Creek?

The structure is 83 ft (25.3 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.4 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns Ia 3 over Otter Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.