US Bridges

Local Road over Otter Creek

PoorClosed to traffic

Lyon County, Iowa · 098433302 · Structure no. 000000000228150

Built
1900
125 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected July 2021
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
79 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
30
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local Road over Otter Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Local Road over Otter Creek in Lyon County, Iowa. It was built in 1900, so it is 125 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 30 vehicles a day, projected to reach 30 by 2043. The structure is 79 ft (24.1 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLocal Road
CrossesOtter Creek
Location098433302
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyLyon County
StateIowa
Coordinates43.26091, -95.94141
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2021
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusClosed to all traffic
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation0: Immediate repair necessary to put back in service
Deck geometry0: Immediate repair necessary to put back in service
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating0 US tons
Inventory rating0 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length79 ft (24.1 m)
Longest span78 ft (23.8 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.8 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deck9 ft (2.7 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic30 (2022)
Projected traffic30 by 2043
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 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 Road over Otter Creek built?

It was built in 1900, making it 125 years old in 2025.

What condition is Local Road 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 July 2021.

How much traffic does Local Road over Otter Creek carry?

About 30 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local Road over Otter Creek?

The structure is 79 ft (24.1 m) long with a longest span of 78 ft (23.8 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Local Road over Otter Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.