US Bridges

Local over Dowd Creek

PoorPosted for load

Grundy County, Iowa · 086182002 · Structure no. 000000000163830

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected April 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
70 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
59
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over Dowd Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Local over Dowd Creek in Grundy 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 poor condition with a lowest component rating of 3 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 59 vehicles a day, projected to reach 59 by 2044. The structure is 70 ft (21.3 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

CarriesLocal
CrossesDowd Creek
Location086182002
RouteCounty Highway 0
StateIowa
Coordinates42.24526, -92.98226
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating8.3 US tons
Inventory rating0 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length70 ft (21.3 m)
Longest span67 ft (20.4 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.7 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic59 (2022)
Projected traffic59 by 2044
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 Local over Dowd Creek built?

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

What condition is Local over Dowd Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in April 2024.

How much traffic does Local over Dowd Creek carry?

About 59 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local over Dowd Creek?

The structure is 70 ft (21.3 m) long with a longest span of 67 ft (20.4 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns Local over Dowd Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.