US Bridges

Local over South Fork

PoorPosted for load

Hardin County, Iowa · 089223203 · Structure no. 000000000176860

Built
1919
106 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected January 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
47 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
29
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over South Fork is a steel truss - thru carrying Local over South Fork in Hardin County, Iowa. It was built in 1919, so it is 106 years old, older 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 3 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 29 vehicles a day, projected to reach 29 by 2044. The structure is 47 ft (14.3 m) long and 17 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLocal
CrossesSouth Fork
Location089223203
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyHardin County
StateIowa
Coordinates42.48546, -93.46225
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
Deck3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating28.9 US tons
Inventory rating18.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length47 ft (14.3 m)
Longest span45 ft (13.7 m)
Deck width17 ft (5.3 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic29 (2022)
Projected traffic29 by 2044
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$566,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Local over South Fork built?

It was built in 1919, making it 106 years old in 2025.

What condition is Local over South Fork 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 January 2024.

How much traffic does Local over South Fork carry?

About 29 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local over South Fork?

The structure is 47 ft (14.3 m) long with a longest span of 45 ft (13.7 m) and a deck 17 ft wide.

Who owns Local over South Fork?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.