US Bridges

I-480 & US 6 over Missouri River & RR

Fair

Pottawattamie County, Iowa · Over Missouri River · Structure no. 000000000045670

Built
1966
59 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2022
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel Continuous
Length
1,687 ft
8 main spans
Daily traffic
53,700
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I-480 & US 6 over Missouri River & RR is a steel continuous girder and floorbeam system carrying I-480 & US 6 over Missouri River & RR in Pottawattamie County, Iowa. It was built in 1966, so it is 59 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.

It carries about 53,700 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 53,700 by 2042. The structure is 1,687 ft (514.2 m) long and 115 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.9 mi (24 km).

Location

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CarriesI-480 & US 6
CrossesMissouri River & RR
LocationOver Missouri River
RouteInterstate 480
CountyPottawattamie County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.25969, -95.92111
Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Interstate

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2022
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating29 US tons
Inventory rating17 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans8
Design loadHS 20
Structure length1,687 ft (514.2 m)
Longest span425 ft (129.5 m)
Deck width115 ft (35.1 m)
Roadway width110 ft (33.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic53,700 (2022)
Projected traffic53,700 by 2042
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure8
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway, waterway and railroad
Detour if closed14.9 mi (24 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes
Strategic Highway NetworkInterstate STRAHNET route

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—
NavigationNavigation control on waterway (bridge permit required)

Frequently asked questions

When was I-480 & US 6 over Missouri River & RR built?

It was built in 1966, making it 59 years old in 2025.

What condition is I-480 & US 6 over Missouri River & RR 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 2022.

How much traffic does I-480 & US 6 over Missouri River & RR carry?

About 53,700 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is I-480 & US 6 over Missouri River & RR?

The structure is 1,687 ft (514.2 m) long with a longest span of 425 ft (129.5 m) and a deck 115 ft wide.

Who owns I-480 & US 6 over Missouri River & RR?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.