US Bridges

Local over Small Tributary

PoorClosed to traffic

Van Buren County, Iowa · 070102303 · Structure no. 000000000329721

Built
1977
48 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected July 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
11
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over Small Tributary is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Local over Small Tributary in Van Buren County, Iowa. It was built in 1977, so it is 48 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 0 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: closed to all traffic.

It carries about 11 vehicles a day, projected to reach 11 by 2043. The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLocal
CrossesSmall Tributary
Location070102303
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyVan Buren County
StateIowa
Coordinates40.85535, -91.97227
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
Deck0 FailedOut of service and beyond corrective action.
Superstructure0 FailedOut of service and beyond corrective action.
Substructure0 FailedOut of service and beyond corrective action.
Channel and channel protection0 FailedOut of service and beyond corrective action.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusClosed to all traffic
ScourScour critical; bridge has failed and is closed
Structural evaluation0: Immediate repair necessary to put back in service
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating0 US tons
Inventory rating0 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length31 ft (9.4 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic11 (2023)
Projected traffic11 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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$20,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Local over Small Tributary built?

It was built in 1977, making it 48 years old in 2025.

What condition is Local over Small Tributary 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does Local over Small Tributary carry?

About 11 vehicles per day (2023 count).

How long is Local over Small Tributary?

The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Local over Small Tributary?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.