US 6 & Ia 38 over Mud Creek

Fair

Muscatine County, Iowa · 0.8 Mi. E of JCT Ia 38 · Structure no. 000000000037890

Built: 1924; 101 years old, rebuilt 1965
Condition: Fair; inspected March 2023
Type: Slab; Concrete Continuous
Length: 122 ft; 3 main spans
Daily traffic: 5,200; 2022 count
Owner: State; State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US 6 & Ia 38 over Mud Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying US 6 & Ia 38 over Mud Creek in Muscatine County, Iowa. It was built in 1924 and reconstructed in 1965, so it is 101 years old, older than the Iowa average of 45.5 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 5,200 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,200 by 2042. The structure is 122 ft (37.2 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesUS 6 & Ia 38

CrossesMud Creek

Location0.8 Mi. E of JCT Ia 38

RouteU.S. Route 6

CountyMuscatine County

StateIowa

Coordinates41.57873, -91.03817

Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Other

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

Component	Rating	Meaning
Deck	5 Fair	All primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure	5 Fair	All primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection	8 Very Good	No problems noted.

Last inspectionMarch 2023

Inspection intervalevery 24 months

Operating statusOpen, no restriction

ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles

Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is

Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action

Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Operating rating62.6 US tons

Inventory rating37.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab

MaterialConcrete Continuous

DeckConcrete, cast-in-place

Main spans3

Design loadHS 20

Structure length122 ft (37.2 m)

Longest span47 ft (14.3 m)

Deck width36 ft (11 m)

Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5,200 (2022)

Projected traffic5,200 by 2042

Trucks12%

Lanes on structure2

Traffic directionTwo-way traffic

CarriesHighway

CrossesWaterway

Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)

TollOn a free road

National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency

Maintained byState Highway Agency

Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places

Work proposedNone recorded

Estimated improvement cost—

NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was US 6 & Ia 38 over Mud Creek built?

It was built in 1924, making it 101 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1965.

What condition is US 6 & Ia 38 over Mud Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in March 2023.

How much traffic does US 6 & Ia 38 over Mud Creek carry?

About 5,200 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is US 6 & Ia 38 over Mud Creek?

The structure is 122 ft (37.2 m) long with a longest span of 47 ft (14.3 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns US 6 & Ia 38 over Mud Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.