US Bridges

Quest Ave over Rathburn Creek

PoorPosted for load

Plymouth County, Iowa · 091431902 · Structure no. 000000000272240

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected April 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
38 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
26
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Quest Ave over Rathburn Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Quest Ave over Rathburn Creek in Plymouth County, Iowa. It was built in 1950, so it is 75 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 26 vehicles a day, projected to reach 26 by 2043. The structure is 38 ft (11.6 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesQuest Ave
CrossesRathburn Creek
Location091431902
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyPlymouth County
StateIowa
Coordinates42.68185, -95.97839
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 12 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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating28.7 US tons
Inventory rating19.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length38 ft (11.6 m)
Longest span19 ft (5.8 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.2 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic26 (2022)
Projected traffic26 by 2043
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 statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Quest Ave over Rathburn Creek built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025.

What condition is Quest Ave over Rathburn 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does Quest Ave over Rathburn Creek carry?

About 26 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Quest Ave over Rathburn Creek?

The structure is 38 ft (11.6 m) long with a longest span of 19 ft (5.8 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Quest Ave over Rathburn Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.