US Bridges

V Ave over Buffington Creek

PoorClosed to traffic

Louisa County, Iowa · 074052302 · Structure no. 000000000224310

Built
1893
132 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected May 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
78 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
11
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

V Ave over Buffington Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying V Ave over Buffington Creek in Louisa County, Iowa. It was built in 1893, so it is 132 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 0 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: closed to all traffic.

It carries about 11 vehicles a day, projected to reach 11 by 2044. The structure is 78 ft (23.8 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesV Ave
CrossesBuffington Creek
Location074052302
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyLouisa County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.20454, -91.40895
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
Deck0 FailedOut of service and beyond corrective action.
Superstructure0 FailedOut of service and beyond corrective action.
Substructure0 FailedOut of service and beyond corrective action.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusClosed to all traffic
ScourScour critical; failure of piers or abutments is imminent
Structural evaluation0: Immediate repair necessary to put back in service
Deck geometry8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating0 US tons
Inventory rating0 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckOther
Main spans1 (+1 approach)
Design loadUnknown
Structure length78 ft (23.8 m)
Longest span60 ft (18.3 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic11 (2022)
Projected traffic11 by 2044
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusListed on 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 V Ave over Buffington Creek built?

It was built in 1893, making it 132 years old in 2025.

What condition is V Ave over Buffington 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does V Ave over Buffington Creek carry?

About 11 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is V Ave over Buffington Creek?

The structure is 78 ft (23.8 m) long with a longest span of 60 ft (18.3 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns V Ave over Buffington Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.