US Bridges

Local Road over Mud Creek

Poor

Polk County, Iowa · 078220503 · Structure no. 000000000280575

Built
1925
100 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
45 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
20
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local Road over Mud Creek is a concrete arch - deck carrying Local Road over Mud Creek in Polk County, Iowa. It was built in 1925, so it is 100 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 20 vehicles a day, projected to reach 20 by 2044. The structure is 45 ft (13.7 m) long and 39 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLocal Road
CrossesMud Creek
Location078220503
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyPolk County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.6007, -93.41421
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 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
Deck geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating46.7 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length45 ft (13.7 m)
Longest span45 ft (13.7 m)
Deck width39 ft (11.8 m)
Roadway width36 ft (10.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic20 (2023)
Projected traffic20 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 Road over Mud Creek built?

It was built in 1925, making it 100 years old in 2025.

What condition is Local Road over Mud 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does Local Road over Mud Creek carry?

About 20 vehicles per day (2023 count).

How long is Local Road over Mud Creek?

The structure is 45 ft (13.7 m) long with a longest span of 45 ft (13.7 m) and a deck 39 ft wide.

Who owns Local Road over Mud Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.