US Bridges

NE 38th ST over I 80

PoorPosted for load

Polk County, Iowa · 1.6 Miles E of E JCT I-35 · Structure no. 000000000041990

Built
1959
66 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected June 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
227 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
1,654
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NE 38th ST over I 80 is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying NE 38th ST over I 80 in Polk County, Iowa. It was built in 1959, so it is 66 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 other load-capacity restriction.

It carries about 1,654 vehicles a day, projected to reach 1,654 by 2043. The structure is 227 ft (69.2 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

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CarriesNE 38th ST
CrossesI 80
Location1.6 Miles E of E JCT I-35
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyPolk County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.65647, -93.54297
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for other load-capacity restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating51.8 US tons
Inventory rating15.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadH 15
Structure length227 ft (69.2 m)
Longest span69 ft (21 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,654 (2022)
Projected traffic1,654 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed8.1 mi (13 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was NE 38th ST over I 80 built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025.

What condition is NE 38th ST over I 80 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 NE 38th ST over I 80 carry?

About 1,654 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is NE 38th ST over I 80?

The structure is 227 ft (69.2 m) long with a longest span of 69 ft (21 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns NE 38th ST over I 80?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.