US Bridges

Bluff Road over Waubonsie Ditch

Fair

Fremont County, Iowa · 070431106 · Structure no. 000000000161520

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
122 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
142
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bluff Road over Waubonsie Ditch is a steel truss - thru carrying Bluff Road over Waubonsie Ditch in Fremont County, Iowa. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 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 142 vehicles a day, roughly 24% of them trucks, projected to reach 142 by 2043. The structure is 122 ft (37.2 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBluff Road
CrossesWaubonsie Ditch
Location070431106
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyFremont County
StateIowa
Coordinates40.88199, -95.75357
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating51.1 US tons
Inventory rating30.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length122 ft (37.2 m)
Longest span120 ft (36.6 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.2 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deck13 ft (4 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic142 (2021)
Projected traffic142 by 2043
Trucks24%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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 Waubonsie Ditch built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is Bluff Road over Waubonsie Ditch 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 Bluff Road over Waubonsie Ditch carry?

About 142 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 24% are trucks.

How long is Bluff Road over Waubonsie Ditch?

The structure is 122 ft (37.2 m) long with a longest span of 120 ft (36.6 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Bluff Road over Waubonsie Ditch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.