V56 over So Little Fox Creek

Fair

Van Buren County, Iowa · 068113210 · Structure no. 000000000050291

Built: 1985; 40 years old
Condition: Fair; inspected June 2024
Type: Slab; Concrete Continuous
Length: 52 ft; 2 main spans
Daily traffic: 820; 2022 count
Owner: County; County Highway Agency

About this bridge

V56 over So Little Fox Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying V56 over So Little Fox Creek in Van Buren 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 5 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 820 vehicles a day, roughly 18% of them trucks, projected to reach 820 by 2044. The structure is 52 ft (15.9 m) long and 39 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 21.7 mi (35 km).

Location

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CarriesV56

CrossesSo Little Fox Creek

Location068113210

RouteCounty Highway 0

CountyVan Buren County

StateIowa

Coordinates40.63894, -92.15147

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	7 Good	Some minor problems.
Superstructure	7 Good	Some minor problems.
Substructure	5 Fair	All primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection	5 Fair	All primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.

Last inspectionJune 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 geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria

Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria

Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Operating rating63.2 US tons

Inventory rating37.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab

MaterialConcrete Continuous

DeckConcrete, cast-in-place

Main spans2

Design loadHS 20

Structure length52 ft (15.9 m)

Longest span25 ft (7.6 m)

Deck width39 ft (11.9 m)

Roadway width36 ft (11 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic820 (2022)

Projected traffic820 by 2044

Trucks18%

Lanes on structure2

Traffic directionTwo-way traffic

CarriesHighway

CrossesWaterway

Detour if closed21.7 mi (35 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 proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements

Estimated improvement cost—

NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was V56 over So Little Fox Creek built?

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

What condition is V56 over So Little Fox 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does V56 over So Little Fox Creek carry?

About 820 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 18% are trucks.

How long is V56 over So Little Fox Creek?

The structure is 52 ft (15.9 m) long with a longest span of 25 ft (7.6 m) and a deck 39 ft wide.

Who owns V56 over So Little Fox Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.