US Bridges

Local over Bear Creek

Fair

Wapello County, Iowa · 072152406 · Structure no. 000000000331610

Built
1970
55 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
57 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
40
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Local over Bear Creek is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Local over Bear Creek in Wapello County, Iowa. It was built in 1970, so it is 55 years old, older 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 40 vehicles a day, roughly 15% of them trucks, projected to reach 40 by 2044. The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLocal
CrossesBear Creek
Location072152406
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyWapello County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.02041, -92.53424
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, 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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating46 US tons
Inventory rating20.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length57 ft (17.4 m)
Longest span55 ft (16.8 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.7 m)
Roadway width21 ft (6.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic40 (2022)
Projected traffic40 by 2044
Trucks15%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1970, making it 55 years old in 2025.

What condition is Local over Bear 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does Local over Bear Creek carry?

About 40 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 15% are trucks.

How long is Local over Bear Creek?

The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long with a longest span of 55 ft (16.8 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns Local over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.