US Bridges

Local over Otter Creek

PoorPosted for load

Louisa County, Iowa · 073031102 · Structure no. 000000000223660

Built
1920
105 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected June 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
102 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
30
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over Otter Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Local over Otter Creek in Louisa County, Iowa. It was built in 1920, 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 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 30 vehicles a day, projected to reach 30 by 2043. The structure is 102 ft (31.1 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLocal
CrossesOtter Creek
Location073031102
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyLouisa County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.13755, -91.17799
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
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, 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 statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating22.9 US tons
Inventory rating13.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length102 ft (31.1 m)
Longest span100 ft (30.5 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic30 (2022)
Projected traffic30 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 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 Local over Otter Creek built?

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

What condition is Local over Otter 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 Local over Otter Creek carry?

About 30 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local over Otter Creek?

The structure is 102 ft (31.1 m) long with a longest span of 100 ft (30.5 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Local over Otter Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.