US 169 over Walnut Creek

Fair

Ringgold County, Iowa · 2.1 Mi. N of N Jct. Ia 2 · Structure no. 000000000046281

Built: 1985; 40 years old
Condition: Fair; inspected March 2023
Type: Slab; Concrete Continuous
Length: 128 ft; 3 main spans
Daily traffic: 1,730; 2022 count
Owner: State; State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US 169 over Walnut Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying US 169 over Walnut Creek in Ringgold County, Iowa. It was built in 1985, so it is 40 years old, younger 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 6 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 1,730 vehicles a day, roughly 15% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,730 by 2042. The structure is 128 ft (39 m) long and 43 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 19.9 mi (32 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps

CarriesUS 169

CrossesWalnut Creek

Location2.1 Mi. N of N Jct. Ia 2

RouteU.S. Route 169

CountyRinggold County

StateIowa

Coordinates40.74044, -94.22373

Functional classRural Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

Component	Rating	Meaning
Deck	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure	7 Good	Some minor problems.
Channel and channel protection	8 Very Good	No problems noted.

Last inspectionMarch 2023

Inspection intervalevery 24 months

Operating statusOpen, no restriction

ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles

Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria

Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Operating rating96.3 US tons

Inventory rating57.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab

MaterialConcrete Continuous

DeckConcrete, cast-in-place

Main spans3

Design loadHS 20

Structure length128 ft (39 m)

Longest span42 ft (12.8 m)

Deck width43 ft (13.2 m)

Roadway width40 ft (12.2 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,730 (2022)

Projected traffic1,730 by 2042

Trucks15%

Lanes on structure2

Traffic directionTwo-way traffic

CarriesHighway

CrossesWaterway

Detour if closed19.9 mi (32 km)

TollOn a free road

National Highway SystemNo

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—

NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was US 169 over Walnut Creek built?

It was built in 1985, making it 40 years old in 2025.

What condition is US 169 over Walnut 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does US 169 over Walnut Creek carry?

About 1,730 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 15% are trucks.

How long is US 169 over Walnut Creek?

The structure is 128 ft (39 m) long with a longest span of 42 ft (12.8 m) and a deck 43 ft wide.

Who owns US 169 over Walnut Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.