US Bridges

Local over Walnut Creek

PoorPosted for load

Poweshiek County, Iowa · 081152302 · Structure no. 000000000294590

Built
1926
99 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected December 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
43 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
5
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 1926, so it is 99 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: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 5 vehicles a day, projected to reach 5 by 2043. The structure is 43 ft (13.1 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLocal
CrossesWalnut Creek
Location081152302
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyPoweshiek County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.80829, -92.57173
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.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating33.8 US tons
Inventory rating21.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length43 ft (13.1 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5 (2022)
Projected traffic5 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$566,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Local over Walnut Creek built?

It was built in 1926, making it 99 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 5 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local over Walnut Creek?

The structure is 43 ft (13.1 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Local over Walnut Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.