US Bridges

Local over Lizard Creek

PoorPosted for load

Palo Alto County, Iowa · 094342502 · Structure no. 000000000269030

Built
1921
104 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected May 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
64 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
21
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over Lizard Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Local over Lizard Creek in Palo Alto County, Iowa. It was built in 1921, so it is 104 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 21 vehicles a day, projected to reach 21 by 2044. The structure is 64 ft (19.5 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLocal
CrossesLizard Creek
Location094342502
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyPalo Alto County
StateIowa
Coordinates42.92644, -94.81646
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
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating29.5 US tons
Inventory rating16.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 10
Structure length64 ft (19.5 m)
Longest span60 ft (18.3 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic21 (2022)
Projected traffic21 by 2044
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 Lizard Creek built?

It was built in 1921, making it 104 years old in 2025.

What condition is Local over Lizard 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 Lizard Creek carry?

About 21 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local over Lizard Creek?

The structure is 64 ft (19.5 m) long with a longest span of 60 ft (18.3 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Local over Lizard Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.