US Bridges

Local over Chariton River

PoorClosed to traffic

Lucas County, Iowa · 071231303 · Structure no. 000000000225860

Built
1946
79 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected November 2017
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
55 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
11
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over Chariton River is a steel truss - thru carrying Local over Chariton River in Lucas County, Iowa. It was built in 1946, so it is 79 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 2043. The structure is 55 ft (16.8 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLocal
CrossesChariton River
Location071231303
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyLucas County
StateIowa
Coordinates40.95174, -93.44688
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.
Last inspectionNovember 2017
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusClosed to all traffic
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation0: Immediate repair necessary to put back in service
Deck geometry8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating0 US tons
Inventory rating0 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1 (+1 approach)
Design loadUnknown
Structure length55 ft (16.8 m)
Longest span36 ft (11 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 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 Chariton River built?

It was built in 1946, making it 79 years old in 2025.

What condition is Local over Chariton River 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 November 2017.

How much traffic does Local over Chariton River carry?

About 11 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local over Chariton River?

The structure is 55 ft (16.8 m) long with a longest span of 36 ft (11 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Local over Chariton River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.