US 169 over Drainage Ditch #96

Fair

Webster County, Iowa · 2.5 Mi. S of Jct. US 20 · Structure no. 000000000052151

Built: 1973; 52 years old
Condition: Fair; inspected May 2023
Type: Slab; Concrete Continuous
Length: 93 ft; 3 main spans
Daily traffic: 3,470; 2022 count
Owner: State; State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US 169 over Drainage Ditch #96 is a concrete continuous slab carrying US 169 over Drainage Ditch #96 in Webster County, Iowa. It was built in 1973, so it is 52 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 6 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 3,470 vehicles a day, roughly 16% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,470 by 2042. The structure is 93 ft (28.3 m) long and 47 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesUS 169

CrossesDrainage Ditch #96

Location2.5 Mi. S of Jct. US 20

RouteU.S. Route 169

CountyWebster County

StateIowa

Coordinates42.40877, -94.18407

Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Other

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	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure	7 Good	Some minor problems.
Channel and channel protection	7 Good	Some minor problems.

Last inspectionMay 2023

Inspection intervalevery 24 months

Operating statusOpen, no restriction

ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing

Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria

Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Operating rating68.7 US tons

Inventory rating41.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab

MaterialConcrete Continuous

DeckConcrete, cast-in-place

Main spans3

Design loadHS 20

Structure length93 ft (28.3 m)

Longest span35 ft (10.7 m)

Deck width47 ft (14.4 m)

Roadway width44 ft (13.4 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,470 (2022)

Projected traffic3,470 by 2042

Trucks16%

Lanes on structure2

Traffic directionTwo-way traffic

CarriesHighway

CrossesWaterway

Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)

TollOn a free road

National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency

Maintained byState Highway Agency

Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places

Work proposedNone recorded

Estimated improvement cost—

NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was US 169 over Drainage Ditch #96 built?

It was built in 1973, making it 52 years old in 2025.

What condition is US 169 over Drainage Ditch #96 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 2023.

How much traffic does US 169 over Drainage Ditch #96 carry?

About 3,470 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 16% are trucks.

How long is US 169 over Drainage Ditch #96?

The structure is 93 ft (28.3 m) long with a longest span of 35 ft (10.7 m) and a deck 47 ft wide.

Who owns US 169 over Drainage Ditch #96?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.