US Bridges

Local over Mill Creek

PoorPosted for load

O'Brien County, Iowa · 094411602 · Structure no. 000000000259130

Built
1924
101 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected June 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
102 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
50
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over Mill Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Local over Mill Creek in O'Brien County, Iowa. It was built in 1924, 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 poor condition with a lowest component rating of 3 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 2043. The structure is 102 ft (31.1 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLocal
CrossesMill Creek
Location094411602
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyO'Brien County
StateIowa
Coordinates42.95523, -95.70296
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating19.1 US tons
Inventory rating12.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length102 ft (31.1 m)
Longest span100 ft (30.5 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.5 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deck10 ft (3.1 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (2022)
Projected traffic50 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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$950,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Local over Mill Creek built?

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

What condition is Local over Mill 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does Local over Mill Creek carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local over Mill Creek?

The structure is 102 ft (31.1 m) long with a longest span of 100 ft (30.5 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Local over Mill Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.