US Bridges

297th Place over Buff Creek

Fair

Washington County, Iowa · 074061203 · Structure no. 000000000335570

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Concrete
Length
69 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
34
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

297th Place over Buff Creek is a concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying 297th Place over Buff Creek in Washington County, Iowa. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 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 34 vehicles a day, projected to reach 34 by 2043. The structure is 69 ft (21 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
Carries297th Place
CrossesBuff Creek
Location074061203
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyWashington County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.22694, -91.49729
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 inspectionFebruary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating31.7 US tons
Inventory rating0 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length69 ft (21 m)
Longest span68 ft (20.7 m)
Deck width23 ft (6.9 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic34 (2022)
Projected traffic34 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible 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 297th Place over Buff Creek built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is 297th Place over Buff 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 February 2023.

How much traffic does 297th Place over Buff Creek carry?

About 34 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is 297th Place over Buff Creek?

The structure is 69 ft (21 m) long with a longest span of 68 ft (20.7 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns 297th Place over Buff Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.