US Bridges

US 6 over Buffalo Creek

Fair

Johnson County, Iowa · 3.0 Mi. W of Jct. I-380 · Structure no. 000000000031490

Built
1961
64 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2022
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
102 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
5,300
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US 6 over Buffalo Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying US 6 over Buffalo Creek in Johnson County, Iowa. It was built in 1961, so it is 64 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 5,300 vehicles a day, roughly 11% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,300 by 2042. The structure is 102 ft (31.2 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 18 mi (29 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUS 6
CrossesBuffalo Creek
Location3.0 Mi. W of Jct. I-380
RouteU.S. Route 6
CountyJohnson County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.71239, -91.69957
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2022
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating57 US tons
Inventory rating34 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length102 ft (31.2 m)
Longest span39 ft (11.9 m)
Deck width36 ft (11 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5,300 (2022)
Projected traffic5,300 by 2042
Trucks11%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed18 mi (29 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 US 6 over Buffalo Creek built?

It was built in 1961, making it 64 years old in 2025.

What condition is US 6 over Buffalo 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 September 2022.

How much traffic does US 6 over Buffalo Creek carry?

About 5,300 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 11% are trucks.

How long is US 6 over Buffalo Creek?

The structure is 102 ft (31.2 m) long with a longest span of 39 ft (11.9 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns US 6 over Buffalo Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.