US Bridges

Local Road over Willow Creek

PoorPosted for load

Lyon County, Iowa · 099453102 · Structure no. 000000000230050

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected July 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
49 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
50
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local Road over Willow Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Local Road over Willow Creek in Lyon County, Iowa. It was built in 1940, so it is 85 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 2 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 50 vehicles a day, projected to reach 50 by 2044. The structure is 49 ft (14.9 m) long and 19 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLocal Road
CrossesWillow Creek
Location099453102
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyLyon County
StateIowa
Coordinates43.34954, -96.21413
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.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure2 CriticalAdvanced deterioration of primary structural elements. Bridge may be closed until corrective action is taken.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJuly 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 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 adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating5 US tons
Inventory rating0 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length49 ft (14.9 m)
Longest span48 ft (14.6 m)
Deck width19 ft (5.9 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (2022)
Projected traffic50 by 2044
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-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 statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$634,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Local Road over Willow Creek built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025.

What condition is Local Road over Willow 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 2024.

How much traffic does Local Road over Willow Creek carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local Road over Willow Creek?

The structure is 49 ft (14.9 m) long with a longest span of 48 ft (14.6 m) and a deck 19 ft wide.

Who owns Local Road over Willow Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.