US Bridges

Local over Willow Creek

Poor

O'Brien County, Iowa · 096392501 · Structure no. 000000000260700

Built
1900
125 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected May 2024
Type
Culvert
Concrete Continuous
Length
29 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
11
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over Willow Creek is a concrete continuous culvert carrying Local over Willow Creek in O'Brien 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 4 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.

It carries about 11 vehicles a day, projected to reach 11 by 2044. The structure is 29 ft (8.8 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLocal
CrossesWillow Creek
Location096392501
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyO'Brien County
StateIowa
Coordinates43.11316, -95.40247
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
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Culvert4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating45 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length29 ft (8.8 m)
Longest span14 ft (4.3 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic11 (2022)
Projected traffic11 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 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 Willow Creek built?

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

What condition is Local 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does Local over Willow Creek carry?

About 11 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local over Willow Creek?

The structure is 29 ft (8.8 m) long with a longest span of 14 ft (4.3 m).

Who owns Local over Willow Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.