S 56 over Elk Creek

Good

Hardin County, Iowa · 088192804 · Structure no. 000000000027161

Built: 2016; 9 years old
Condition: Good; inspected February 2023
Type: Slab; Concrete Continuous
Length: 111 ft; 3 main spans
Daily traffic: 1,650; 2022 count
Owner: County; County Highway Agency

About this bridge

S 56 over Elk Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying S 56 over Elk Creek in Hardin County, Iowa. It was built in 2016, so it is 9 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 1,650 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,650 by 2043. The structure is 111 ft (33.8 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.3 mi (23 km).

Location

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CarriesS 56

CrossesElk Creek

Location088192804

RouteCounty Highway 0

CountyHardin County

StateIowa

Coordinates42.40448, -93.06218

Functional classRural Major Collector

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	7 Good	Some minor problems.

Last inspectionFebruary 2023

Inspection intervalevery 48 months

Operating statusOpen, no restriction

ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles

Structural evaluation8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is

Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Operating rating46.4 US tons

Inventory rating35.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab

MaterialConcrete Continuous

DeckConcrete, cast-in-place

Main spans3

Design loadHL 93

Structure length111 ft (33.8 m)

Longest span43 ft (13.1 m)

Deck width33 ft (10.1 m)

Roadway width31 ft (9.3 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,650 (2022)

Projected traffic1,650 by 2043

Trucks5%

Lanes on structure2

Traffic directionTwo-way traffic

CarriesHighway

CrossesWaterway

Detour if closed14.3 mi (23 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 proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements

Estimated improvement cost—

NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was S 56 over Elk Creek built?

It was built in 2016, making it 9 years old in 2025.

What condition is S 56 over Elk 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 February 2023.

How much traffic does S 56 over Elk Creek carry?

About 1,650 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is S 56 over Elk Creek?

The structure is 111 ft (33.8 m) long with a longest span of 43 ft (13.1 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns S 56 over Elk Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.