US Bridges

NE 50th Ave over Mud Creek

FairClosed to traffic

Polk County, Iowa · 079221703 · Structure no. 000000000281050

Built
1900
125 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
39 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
213
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

NE 50th Ave over Mud Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying NE 50th Ave over Mud Creek in Polk County, Iowa. It was built in 1900, so it is 125 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. Its operating status is: closed to all traffic.

It carries about 213 vehicles a day, projected to reach 213 by 2043. The structure is 39 ft (11.9 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNE 50th Ave
CrossesMud Creek
Location079221703
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyPolk County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.6514, -93.434
Functional classUrban 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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusClosed to all traffic
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating40.9 US tons
Inventory rating24.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length39 ft (11.9 m)
Longest span36 ft (11 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic213 (2023)
Projected traffic213 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 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 NE 50th Ave over Mud Creek built?

It was built in 1900, making it 125 years old in 2025.

What condition is NE 50th Ave over Mud Creek 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does NE 50th Ave over Mud Creek carry?

About 213 vehicles per day (2023 count).

How long is NE 50th Ave over Mud Creek?

The structure is 39 ft (11.9 m) long with a longest span of 36 ft (11 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns NE 50th Ave over Mud Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.