US Bridges

HWY 215 over S Fork Iowa River

Fair

Hardin County, Iowa · 086190502 · Structure no. 000000000027280

Built
1949
76 years old, rebuilt 2020
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
298 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
894
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

HWY 215 over S Fork Iowa River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying HWY 215 over S Fork Iowa River in Hardin County, Iowa. It was built in 1949 and reconstructed in 2020, 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 fair condition with a lowest component rating of 6 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 894 vehicles a day, roughly 18% of them trucks, projected to reach 894 by 2043. The structure is 298 ft (90.8 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

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CarriesHWY 215
CrossesS Fork Iowa River
Location086190502
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyHardin County
StateIowa
Coordinates42.29436, -93.08686
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionFebruary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating57.2 US tons
Inventory rating34.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadH 20
Structure length298 ft (90.8 m)
Longest span82 ft (25 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic894 (2022)
Projected traffic894 by 2043
Trucks18%
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

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 HWY 215 over S Fork Iowa River built?

It was built in 1949, making it 76 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2020.

What condition is HWY 215 over S Fork Iowa River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in February 2023.

How much traffic does HWY 215 over S Fork Iowa River carry?

About 894 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 18% are trucks.

How long is HWY 215 over S Fork Iowa River?

The structure is 298 ft (90.8 m) long with a longest span of 82 ft (25 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns HWY 215 over S Fork Iowa River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.