US Bridges

Bluff Road over Possum Creek

FairPosted for load

Fremont County, Iowa · 069432404 · Structure no. 000000000160560

Built
1962
63 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
57 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
193
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bluff Road over Possum Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Bluff Road over Possum Creek in Fremont County, Iowa. It was built in 1962, so it is 63 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 193 vehicles a day, roughly 15% of them trucks, projected to reach 193 by 2043. The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBluff Road
CrossesPossum Creek
Location069432404
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyFremont County
StateIowa
Coordinates40.76667, -95.74038
Functional classRural Major Collector

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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating25 US tons
Inventory rating12.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length57 ft (17.4 m)
Longest span55 ft (16.8 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic193 (2021)
Projected traffic193 by 2043
Trucks15%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Bluff Road over Possum Creek built?

It was built in 1962, making it 63 years old in 2025.

What condition is Bluff Road over Possum 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does Bluff Road over Possum Creek carry?

About 193 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 15% are trucks.

How long is Bluff Road over Possum Creek?

The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long with a longest span of 55 ft (16.8 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Bluff Road over Possum Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.