US Bridges

I-80 over Little Bear Creek

Fair

Iowa County, Iowa · At Jct. SR V38 · Structure no. 000000000029740

Built
1963
62 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete Continuous
Length
22 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
1,020
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I-80 over Little Bear Creek is a concrete continuous culvert carrying I-80 over Little Bear Creek in Iowa County, Iowa. It was built in 1963, so it is 62 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 5 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 1,020 vehicles a day, roughly 11% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,020 by 2042. The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

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CarriesI-80
CrossesLittle Bear Creek
LocationAt Jct. SR V38
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyIowa County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.69564, -92.27963
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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating39.7 US tons
Inventory rating23.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length22 ft (6.7 m)
Longest span10 ft (3 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,020 (2022)
Projected traffic1,020 by 2042
Trucks11%
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 I-80 over Little Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1963, making it 62 years old in 2025.

What condition is I-80 over Little Bear Creek 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does I-80 over Little Bear Creek carry?

About 1,020 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 11% are trucks.

How long is I-80 over Little Bear Creek?

The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m).

Who owns I-80 over Little Bear Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.