US Bridges

Local over Old Channel Des Moines R

Fair

Palo Alto County, Iowa · 094312801 · Structure no. 000000000268730

Built
1931
94 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
84 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
72
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over Old Channel Des Moines R is a steel truss - thru carrying Local over Old Channel Des Moines R in Palo Alto County, Iowa. It was built in 1931, so it is 94 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 72 vehicles a day, projected to reach 72 by 2044. The structure is 84 ft (25.6 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
CrossesOld Channel Des Moines R
Location094312801
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyPalo Alto County
StateIowa
Coordinates42.93725, -94.51899
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating40.8 US tons
Inventory rating24.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 10
Structure length84 ft (25.6 m)
Longest span80 ft (24.4 m)
Deck width19 ft (5.9 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic72 (2022)
Projected traffic72 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 Old Channel Des Moines R built?

It was built in 1931, making it 94 years old in 2025.

What condition is Local over Old Channel Des Moines R 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does Local over Old Channel Des Moines R carry?

About 72 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local over Old Channel Des Moines R?

The structure is 84 ft (25.6 m) long with a longest span of 80 ft (24.4 m) and a deck 19 ft wide.

Who owns Local over Old Channel Des Moines R?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.