US Bridges

Local over Branch Sugar Creek

Poor

Tama County, Iowa · 084160602 · Structure no. 000000000319210

Built
1920
105 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
20 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
29
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over Branch Sugar Creek is a concrete slab carrying Local over Branch Sugar Creek in Tama County, Iowa. It was built in 1920, so it is 105 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.

It carries about 29 vehicles a day, projected to reach 29 by 2044. The structure is 20 ft (6.1 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLocal
CrossesBranch Sugar Creek
Location084160602
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyTama County
StateIowa
Coordinates42.12066, -92.7668
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.
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 inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating47.8 US tons
Inventory rating29.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length20 ft (6.1 m)
Longest span18 ft (5.5 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic29 (2022)
Projected traffic29 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 Branch Sugar Creek built?

It was built in 1920, making it 105 years old in 2025.

What condition is Local over Branch Sugar 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 Branch Sugar Creek carry?

About 29 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Local over Branch Sugar Creek?

The structure is 20 ft (6.1 m) long with a longest span of 18 ft (5.5 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Local over Branch Sugar Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.