US Bridges

Ave L over Dry Creek

Poor

Lee County, Iowa · 076040507 · Structure no. 000000000033150

Built
1915
110 years old, rebuilt 1956
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2022
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
70 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
10,953
2022 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Ave L over Dry Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying Ave L over Dry Creek in Lee County, Iowa. It was built in 1915 and reconstructed in 1956, so it is 110 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 10,953 vehicles a day, projected to reach 10,953 by 2043. The structure is 70 ft (21.3 m) long and 60 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesAve L
CrossesDry Creek
Location076040507
RouteCity Street 0
CountyLee County
StateIowa
Coordinates40.62704, -91.34228
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

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 inspectionSeptember 2022
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating69.7 US tons
Inventory rating41.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length70 ft (21.3 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width60 ft (18.2 m)
Roadway width48 ft (14.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10,953 (2022)
Projected traffic10,953 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure4
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 statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Ave L over Dry Creek built?

It was built in 1915, making it 110 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1956.

What condition is Ave L over Dry 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 September 2022.

How much traffic does Ave L over Dry Creek carry?

About 10,953 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Ave L over Dry Creek?

The structure is 70 ft (21.3 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 60 ft wide.

Who owns Ave L over Dry Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.