US Bridges

Center Ave over Ralston Creek

Poor

Johnson County, Iowa · 079061400 · Structure no. 000000000006300

Built
1957
68 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected June 2023
Type
Frame
Concrete
Length
22 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
330
2022 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Center Ave over Ralston Creek is a concrete frame carrying Center Ave over Ralston Creek in Johnson County, Iowa. It was built in 1957, so it is 68 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 4 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.

It carries about 330 vehicles a day, projected to reach 330 by 2043. The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long and 41 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCenter Ave
CrossesRalston Creek
Location079061400
RouteCity Street 0
CountyJohnson County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.65393, -91.51468
Functional classUrban 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
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating41.8 US tons
Inventory rating32 US tons

Structure

Structure typeFrame
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length22 ft (6.7 m)
Longest span20 ft (6.1 m)
Deck width41 ft (12.6 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic330 (2022)
Projected traffic330 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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$28,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Center Ave over Ralston Creek built?

It was built in 1957, making it 68 years old in 2025.

What condition is Center Ave over Ralston Creek 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does Center Ave over Ralston Creek carry?

About 330 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Center Ave over Ralston Creek?

The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6.1 m) and a deck 41 ft wide.

Who owns Center Ave over Ralston Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.