US Bridges

NE Berwick Drive over UP Railroad

PoorClosed to traffic

Polk County, Iowa · 079230508 · Structure no. 000000000281180

Built
1948
77 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected May 2021
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
121 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
406
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

NE Berwick Drive over UP Railroad is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying NE Berwick Drive over UP Railroad in Polk County, Iowa. It was built in 1948, so it is 77 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: closed to all traffic.

It carries about 406 vehicles a day, projected to reach 406 by 2043. The structure is 121 ft (36.9 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesNE Berwick Drive
CrossesUP Railroad
Location079230508
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyPolk County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.68058, -93.5514
Functional classUrban 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
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.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMay 2021
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusClosed to all traffic
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry0: Immediate repair necessary to put back in service
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating26.1 US tons
Inventory rating18 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans5
Design loadUnknown
Structure length121 ft (36.9 m)
Longest span25 ft (7.6 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.5 m)
Roadway width16 ft (5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic406 (2023)
Projected traffic406 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was NE Berwick Drive over UP Railroad built?

It was built in 1948, making it 77 years old in 2025.

What condition is NE Berwick Drive over UP Railroad 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 2021.

How much traffic does NE Berwick Drive over UP Railroad carry?

About 406 vehicles per day (2023 count).

How long is NE Berwick Drive over UP Railroad?

The structure is 121 ft (36.9 m) long with a longest span of 25 ft (7.6 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns NE Berwick Drive over UP Railroad?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.