US Bridges

Local over East Branch Salt Creek

Poor

Tama County, Iowa · 084131302 · Structure no. 000000000318580

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
42 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
35
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over East Branch Salt Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Local over East Branch Salt Creek in Tama 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 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.

It carries about 35 vehicles a day, projected to reach 35 by 2044. The structure is 42 ft (12.8 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLocal
CrossesEast Branch Salt Creek
Location084131302
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyTama County
StateIowa
Coordinates42.0817, -92.31846
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.
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 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating43.2 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length42 ft (12.8 m)
Longest span41 ft (12.5 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.5 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic35 (2022)
Projected traffic35 by 2044
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 East Branch Salt Creek built?

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

What condition is Local over East Branch Salt 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does Local over East Branch Salt Creek carry?

About 35 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local over East Branch Salt Creek?

The structure is 42 ft (12.8 m) long with a longest span of 41 ft (12.5 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns Local over East Branch Salt Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.