US Bridges

Local over Small Creek

PoorPosted for load

Guthrie County, Iowa · 078331702 · Structure no. 000000000167440

Built
1949
76 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
25 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
40
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over Small Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Local over Small Creek in Guthrie County, Iowa. It was built in 1949, so it is 76 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 40 vehicles a day, projected to reach 40 by 2043. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

CarriesLocal
CrossesSmall Creek
Location078331702
RouteCounty Highway 0
StateIowa
Coordinates41.56017, -94.68208
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating19 US tons
Inventory rating14.4 US tons

Structure

MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span23 ft (7 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.7 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic40 (2022)
Projected traffic40 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 Small Creek built?

It was built in 1949, making it 76 years old in 2025.

What condition is Local over Small 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does Local over Small Creek carry?

About 40 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local over Small Creek?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 23 ft (7 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns Local over Small Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.