US Bridges

Local over Walnut Creek

PoorPosted for load

Poweshiek County, Iowa · 081141702 · Structure no. 000000000294410

Built
1915
110 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected December 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
47 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
26
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over Walnut Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Local over Walnut Creek in Poweshiek County, Iowa. It was built in 1915, so it is 110 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 3 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 load restriction.

It carries about 26 vehicles a day, projected to reach 26 by 2043. The structure is 47 ft (14.3 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

CarriesLocal
CrossesWalnut Creek
Location081141702
RouteCounty Highway 0
StateIowa
Coordinates41.8202, -92.51327
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
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating29.5 US tons
Inventory rating18.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length47 ft (14.3 m)
Longest span45 ft (13.7 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic26 (2022)
Projected traffic26 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.1 mi (13 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$990,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Local over Walnut Creek built?

It was built in 1915, making it 110 years old in 2025.

What condition is Local over Walnut 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does Local over Walnut Creek carry?

About 26 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local over Walnut Creek?

The structure is 47 ft (14.3 m) long with a longest span of 45 ft (13.7 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Local over Walnut Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.