US Bridges

260th Trail over Mason Creek

Poor

Guthrie County, Iowa · 079322205 · Structure no. 000000000168171

Built
1987
38 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected November 2022
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
40 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
45
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

260th Trail over Mason Creek is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying 260th Trail over Mason Creek in Guthrie County, Iowa. It was built in 1987, so it is 38 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.

It carries about 45 vehicles a day, projected to reach 45 by 2042. The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
Carries260th Trail
CrossesMason Creek
Location079322205
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyGuthrie County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.63361, -94.56043
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.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2022
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating34.8 US tons
Inventory rating20.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length40 ft (12.2 m)
Longest span38 ft (11.6 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.6 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic45 (2022)
Projected traffic45 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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 260th Trail over Mason Creek built?

It was built in 1987, making it 38 years old in 2025.

What condition is 260th Trail over Mason 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 2022.

How much traffic does 260th Trail over Mason Creek carry?

About 45 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is 260th Trail over Mason Creek?

The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long with a longest span of 38 ft (11.6 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns 260th Trail over Mason Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.