US Bridges

Local over Small Stream

PoorPosted for load

Louisa County, Iowa · 073030702 · Structure no. 000000000223630

Built
1920
105 years old, rebuilt 1959
Condition
Poor
inspected June 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
65 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
11
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over Small Stream is a steel truss - thru carrying Local over Small Stream in Louisa County, Iowa. It was built in 1920 and reconstructed in 1959, so it is 105 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 11 vehicles a day, projected to reach 11 by 2043. The structure is 65 ft (19.8 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

CarriesLocal
CrossesSmall Stream
Location073030702
RouteCounty Highway 0
StateIowa
Coordinates41.14139, -91.25501
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
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.
Substructure3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating15.7 US tons
Inventory rating0 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length65 ft (19.8 m)
Longest span63 ft (19.2 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.5 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic11 (2022)
Projected traffic11 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty 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—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Local over Small Stream built?

It was built in 1920, making it 105 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1959.

What condition is Local over Small Stream 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 Local over Small Stream carry?

About 11 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local over Small Stream?

The structure is 65 ft (19.8 m) long with a longest span of 63 ft (19.2 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Local over Small Stream?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.