US Bridges

Local over Middle River

PoorPosted for load

Guthrie County, Iowa · 078332302 · Structure no. 000000000167521

Built
1981
44 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected November 2022
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
40
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over Middle River is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying Local over Middle River in Guthrie County, Iowa. It was built in 1981, so it is 44 years old, younger 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 4 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 2042. The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLocal
CrossesMiddle River
Location078332302
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyGuthrie County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.54476, -94.62446
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.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionNovember 2022
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating21.2 US tons
Inventory rating10.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length31 ft (9.4 m)
Longest span28 ft (8.5 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.6 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic40 (2022)
Projected traffic40 by 2042
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 Middle River built?

It was built in 1981, making it 44 years old in 2025.

What condition is Local over Middle River 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 2022.

How much traffic does Local over Middle River carry?

About 40 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local over Middle River?

The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long with a longest span of 28 ft (8.5 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Local over Middle River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.