US Bridges

Local Road over Branch Black Hawk Creek

PoorPosted for load

Grundy County, Iowa · 088151802 · Structure no. 000000000164701

Built
1971
54 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected March 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
93 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
29
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local Road over Branch Black Hawk Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Local Road over Branch Black Hawk Creek in Grundy County, Iowa. It was built in 1971, so it is 54 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 29 vehicles a day, projected to reach 29 by 2044. The structure is 93 ft (28.3 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

CarriesLocal Road
CrossesBranch Black Hawk Creek
Location088151802
RouteCounty Highway 0
StateIowa
Coordinates42.43436, -92.65179
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 inspectionMarch 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 alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating15.3 US tons
Inventory rating11 US tons

Structure

MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans4
Design loadUnknown
Structure length93 ft (28.3 m)
Longest span23 ft (7 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic29 (2022)
Projected traffic29 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 Road over Branch Black Hawk Creek built?

It was built in 1971, making it 54 years old in 2025.

What condition is Local Road over Branch Black Hawk 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does Local Road over Branch Black Hawk Creek carry?

About 29 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local Road over Branch Black Hawk Creek?

The structure is 93 ft (28.3 m) long with a longest span of 23 ft (7 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Local Road over Branch Black Hawk Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.