US 65 over Minerva Creek

Good

Hardin County, Iowa · 0.7 Miles S of JCT SR D65 · Structure no. 000000000027051

Built: 1985; 40 years old
Condition: Good; inspected April 2023
Type: Slab; Concrete Continuous
Length: 83 ft; 3 main spans
Daily traffic: 1,330; 2022 count
Owner: State; State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US 65 over Minerva Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying US 65 over Minerva Creek in Hardin County, Iowa. It was built in 1985, so it is 40 years old, younger than the Iowa average of 45.5 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 8 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 1,330 vehicles a day, roughly 25% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,330 by 2042. The structure is 83 ft (25.3 m) long and 43 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

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CarriesUS 65

CrossesMinerva Creek

Location0.7 Miles S of JCT SR D65

RouteU.S. Route 65

CountyHardin County

StateIowa

Coordinates42.22854, -93.30971

Functional classRural Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

Component	Rating	Meaning
Deck	8 Very Good	No problems noted.
Superstructure	8 Very Good	No problems noted.
Substructure	8 Very Good	No problems noted.
Channel and channel protection	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.

Last inspectionApril 2023

Inspection intervalevery 24 months

Operating statusOpen, no restriction

ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles

Structural evaluation8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria

Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Operating rating92.4 US tons

Inventory rating55.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab

MaterialConcrete Continuous

DeckConcrete, cast-in-place

Main spans3

Design loadHS 20

Structure length83 ft (25.3 m)

Longest span31 ft (9.4 m)

Deck width43 ft (13.2 m)

Roadway width40 ft (12.2 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,330 (2022)

Projected traffic1,330 by 2042

Trucks25%

Lanes on structure2

Traffic directionTwo-way traffic

CarriesHighway

CrossesWaterway

Detour if closed8.1 mi (13 km)

TollOn a free road

National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency

Maintained byState Highway Agency

Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places

Work proposedNone recorded

Estimated improvement cost—

NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was US 65 over Minerva Creek built?

It was built in 1985, making it 40 years old in 2025.

What condition is US 65 over Minerva Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in April 2023.

How much traffic does US 65 over Minerva Creek carry?

About 1,330 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 25% are trucks.

How long is US 65 over Minerva Creek?

The structure is 83 ft (25.3 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.4 m) and a deck 43 ft wide.

Who owns US 65 over Minerva Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.