US Bridges

Local over Wolf Creek

PoorPosted for load

Ringgold County, Iowa · 069311205 · Structure no. 000000000297510

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected December 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
20
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over Wolf Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Local over Wolf Creek in Ringgold County, Iowa. It was built in 1940, so it is 85 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 20 vehicles a day, projected to reach 20 by 2043. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

CarriesLocal
CrossesWolf Creek
Location069311205
RouteCounty Highway 0
StateIowa
Coordinates40.79092, -94.37716
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating22 US tons
Inventory rating15.3 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.4 m)
Deck width23 ft (6.9 m)
Roadway width23 ft (6.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic20 (2022)
Projected traffic20 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Local over Wolf Creek built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025.

What condition is Local over Wolf 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 Wolf Creek carry?

About 20 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local over Wolf Creek?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.4 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns Local over Wolf Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.