US Bridges

Local over Dowd Creek

PoorClosed to traffic

Marshall County, Iowa · 085190103 · Structure no. 000000000244200

Built
1916
109 years old, rebuilt 1950
Condition
Poor
inspected November 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
57 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
16
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over Dowd Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Local over Dowd Creek in Marshall County, Iowa. It was built in 1916 and reconstructed in 1950, so it is 109 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 16 vehicles a day, projected to reach 16 by 2044. The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

CarriesLocal
CrossesDowd Creek
Location085190103
RouteCounty Highway 0
StateIowa
Coordinates42.20918, -93.01048
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 inspectionNovember 2024
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
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating0 US tons
Inventory rating0 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length57 ft (17.4 m)
Longest span55 ft (16.8 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.5 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic16 (2022)
Projected traffic16 by 2044
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
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 over Dowd Creek built?

It was built in 1916, making it 109 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1950.

What condition is Local over Dowd 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does Local over Dowd Creek carry?

About 16 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local over Dowd Creek?

The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long with a longest span of 55 ft (16.8 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Local over Dowd Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.