Worst Bridges in Iowa

Bridges with the lowest condition ratings in Iowa. Iowa has 4,544 bridges in poor condition (19.2% of 23,719 total bridges).

23,719

Total Bridges

19.2%

In Poor Condition

4,544

Poor Bridges

4,544

Rating 0-4

Understanding Bridge Conditions in Iowa

Iowa's bridge infrastructure reflects decades of construction, maintenance, and replacement decisions influenced by geography, climate, traffic patterns, and available funding. With 4,544 bridges currently rated in poor condition (19.2% of the total inventory), understanding what these ratings mean helps residents and policymakers make informed decisions about infrastructure investment.

Federal inspectors evaluate three key components on every highway bridge: the deck (the driving surface and its immediate supports), the superstructure (beams, girders, trusses, or other primary load-carrying members), and the substructure (piers, abutments, and foundations that transfer loads to the ground). Each component receives a rating from 0 to 9, with the lowest of these three ratings determining the overall condition category. A rating of 4 or below classifies a bridge as “poor,” indicating significant structural deterioration that warrants prioritized attention.

Poor-rated bridges remain safe for use at their posted limits because federal law requires that any bridge with load-carrying deficiencies be either repaired, posted with weight restrictions, or closed. Many poor-rated bridges receive more frequent inspections than the standard 24-month cycle, allowing engineers to monitor deterioration rates and ensure conditions have not worsened beyond safe operating limits. Weight restrictions protect the structure while allowing continued service until rehabilitation or replacement can be funded and constructed.

Infrastructure investment decisions involve difficult trade-offs between maintaining aging structures and building new capacity. Bridges listed below represent the most deteriorated structures in Iowa's inventory, where rehabilitation or replacement investment would have the greatest impact on improving overall infrastructure condition. Understanding where these bridges are located helps communities advocate for appropriate funding and plan alternative routes when load restrictions affect commercial traffic.

Condition Rating Scale

0-2

Failed to Critical

Closed or severely restricted. Major deterioration requiring immediate action.

3-4

Serious to Poor

Significant deterioration affecting capacity. Often weight-restricted.

5-6

Fair

Minor deterioration visible. Maintenance recommended but not urgent.

7-9

Good to Excellent

Components in sound condition with no significant deficiencies.

Lowest Rated Bridges in Iowa

4,544 bridges rated 0-4 on the federal condition scale, sorted by lowest rating first. Showing first 50 — click below to expand. Displaying top 200 of 4,544.

Rank	Bridge	Year Built	Condition
#1	1ST AVE S over 21ST ST & RR 089282000	1968	Poor
#2	V 18 (175TH ST) over BEAR CREEK 080141406	1954	Poor
#3	MAIN ST over IOWA RIVER 089211800	1936	Poor
#4	OLD US 71 over BNSF RR 071362702	1929	Poor
#5	F62 over SUGAR CREEK 078160707	1958	Poor
#6	5TH ST E over DRAINAGE 083153501	1915	Poor
#7	FM J AVE over BEAR CREEK 093411502	1940	Poor
#8	FM over CLANTON CREEK 075261202	1932	Poor
#9	FM over LITTLE SIOUX RIVER 093370508	1940	Poor
#10	FM over BLUEBIRD CREEK 093370504	1940	Poor
#11	FM over LIZARD CK DD #54 091313101	1964	Poor
#12	EMERSON ST over DRAINAGE 000000000	1965	Poor
#13	FM over OVER UP RR 068311404	1940	Poor
#14	FM over N SKUNK RIVER 076141001	1966	Poor
#15	FM over N SKUNK RIVER OVERFLOW 076141001	1961	Poor
#16	E 13TH ST over OVER I.C.E. RR 000000000	1900	Poor
#17	FM SW MCKINLEY over FRINK CREEK 078252500	1937	Poor
#18	5TH ST over DRAINAGE 081010201	1940	Poor
#19	JACOB ST over DRAINAGE 083162102	1900	Poor
#20	IRR LOCAL over IOWA RIVER OVERFLOW 083161504	1947	Poor
#21	IRR-LOCAL over IOWA RIVER OVERFLOW 083162204	1953	Poor
#22	IRR-LOCAL over IOWA RIVER 083162204	1938	Poor
#23	FM over SALT CREEK 082132503	1920	Poor
#24	LOCAL over NORTH RACCOON RIVER A21600635	1882	Poor
#25	MANOR RD over DRAINAGE 073042501	1920	Poor
#26	LOCAL/BUCK CRK over EAST NISHNABOTNA RIVER 077363206	1900	Poor
#27	8TH STREET over BOYER RIVER 000000000	1900	Poor
#28	WALNUT ST over DRAINAGE 087382708	1912	Poor
#29	252ND ST over FOX RIVER 068112203	1885	Poor
#30	235TH STREET over BRANCH OF WAPSIPINICON 081E11203	1930	Poor
#31	W 36TH ST S over BUCK CREEK 078191908	1928	Poor
#32	FM over DRAINAGE DITCH 069332601	1938	Poor
#33	LOCAL over BR PRAIRIE CK 082091001	1948	Poor
#34	FM over DES MOINES RIVER 084272705	1909	Poor
#35	LOCAL over STREAM 068192204	1950	Poor
#36	LOCAL over LITTLE RIVER 068251904	1943	Poor
#37	FM over LONE GROVE CREEK 079330202	1950	Poor
#38	LOCAL ROAD over LITTLE ROCK RIVER 099430901	1900	Poor
#39	LOCAL - 680TH over W NODAWAY RIVER 074351604	1970	Poor
#40	210TH AVE over LITTLE SIOUX RIVER 096370102	1915	Poor
#41	LOCAL over DICKENSON BRANCH 067261202	1949	Poor
#42	280TH ST over BOONE RIVER 088253108	1902	Poor
#43	LOCAL over BRUSHY CK 080312904	1910	Poor
#44	FM over STREAM 075050802	1963	Poor
#45	FM over NISHNABOTNA 071381901	1942	Poor
#46	LOCAL over STREAM 078162706	1953	Poor
#47	LOCAL over BUCK CREEK 079162701	1965	Poor
#48	FM over E.FK WAPSIPINICON RIVER 093120301	1955	Poor
#49	LOCAL over MILLER CREEK 084373004	1981	Poor
#50	LOCAL over PRATT CK 086113601	1900	Poor
#51	LOCAL over TRIB FOX RIVER 068120901	1959	Poor
#52	FM over ROCK CREEK 071110402	1963	Poor
#53	LOCAL over BIG WHISKEY CREEK 089461301	1960	Poor
#54	WHEELER RD over CRANE CREEK 90-11-26-02-10	1948	Poor
#55	LOCAL over FIVE MILE CREEK 071223101	1948	Poor
#56	220TH ST over BIG SIOUX RIVER 098480804	1925	Poor
#57	NEELY TRAIL over WILLOW CREEK 080432707	1940	Poor
#58	S 64TH AVE E over SUGAR CREEK 079172505	1933	Poor
#59	LOCAL over SALT CREEK 083130303	1955	Poor
#60	LOCAL over SALT CREEK 083130303	1897	Poor
#61	LOCAL over BR LITTLE WHITEBREAST CK 073210606	1994	Poor
#62	LOCAL ROAD over KLONDIKE CREEK 099481201	1900	Poor
#63	ELM ST over DRAINAGE 083162109	1920	Poor
#64	INKPADUTA AVE over BOONE RIVER 088253003	1907	Poor
#65	LOCAL over BADGER CREEK 077262401	1890	Poor
#66	370TH AVE over STONY CREEK 080141003	1967	Poor
#67	FM over IOWA RIVER 082141303	1914	Poor
#68	COUNTY ROAD over FROG CREEK 081281608	1937	Poor
#69	BUCHANAN AVE over BOONE RIVER 093262004	1912	Poor
#70	190TH STREET over EAST NODAWAY RIVER 072331303	1977	Poor
#71	LOCAL 550TH ST. over WILLOW CREEK 091410701	1918	Poor
#72	LOCAL RD over WEST FORK DD 085450401	1912	Poor
#73	LOCAL over SMALL STREAM 081131202	1950	Poor
#74	E BENNINGTON RD over WAPSIPINICON RIVER 90-11-23-01	1945	Poor
#75	LOCAL over NORTH WALNUT CREEK 082143304	1915	Poor
#76	LOCAL over INDIAN CREEK 073222806	1956	Poor
#77	LOCAL ROAD over OTTER CREEK 098433302	1900	Poor
#78	LOCAL ROAD over OVER FLOW 098433302	1900	Poor
#79	LOCAL ROAD over OTTER CREEK 098443502	1900	Poor
#80	LOCAL over N LIZARD CREEK 091312402	1900	Poor
#81	LOCAL over LIZARD CREEK 092332501	1954	Poor
#82	LOCAL over LITTLE CEDAR CREEK 092340802	1952	Poor
#83	LOCAL over LITTLE CEDAR CREEK 092343201	1953	Poor
#84	LOCAL over STREAM 079142601	1968	Poor
#85	LOCAL ROAD over FLANK CR 075223303	1955	Poor
#86	110TH STREET over MIDDLE NODAWAY RIVER 073330703	1920	Poor
#87	LOCAL over STREAM 081310902	1953	Poor
#88	LOCAL over MCCANDLESS CLEGHORN D D 083452802	1997	Poor
#89	LOCAL over LITTLE TARKIO CREEK 072371401	1979	Poor
#90	190TH ST over CROOKED CREEK 069302301	1942	Poor
#91	FM over E FK GRAND RIVER 070290101	1960	Poor
#92	LOCAL over TRIB DES MOINES RIVER 084273103	1900	Poor
#93	LOCAL 540TH ST. over PERRY CREEK 091400501	1982	Poor
#94	LOCAL over STREAM 073273103	1900	Poor
#95	LOCAL over WELDON CREEK 070240706	1916	Poor
#96	LOCAL over LITTLE CEDAR 096150503	1900	Poor
#97	FM over SMALL CREEK 081311901	1955	Poor
#98	310TH AVE over CARRUTHERS CREEK 073201504	1939	Poor
#99	LOCAL over OTTER CREEK 073230501	1910	Poor
#100	LOCAL ROAD over EMERY CREEK 098450102	1900	Poor
#101	LOCAL RD over NORTH RIVER 076291104	1909	Poor
#102	LOCAL over MITCHELL CREEK 076161603	1936	Poor
#103	LOCAL ROAD over LOCAL STREAM 085431405	1964	Poor
#104	LOCAL RD over W NODAWAY RIVER 073361603	1970	Poor
#105	FM over TURKEY CREEK 069312001	1964	Poor
#106	LOCAL over SMALL STREAM 086383201	1986	Poor
#107	LOCAL over SOUTH BRANCH SALT CREEK 084132804	1907	Poor
#108	LOCAL over CREEK 069351904	1953	Poor
#109	LOCAL ROAD over BRANCH COAL CREEK 075220802	1960	Poor
#110	LOCAL ROAD over FLANK CREEK 075223402	1963	Poor
#111	LOCAL over JACKSON CREEK 069213302	1987	Poor
#112	LOCAL over LITTLE CEDAR OVERFLOW 096150503	1939	Poor
#113	LOCAL over BRUSH CREEK 071143203	1930	Poor
#114	LOCAL over COAL CREEK 068191004	1927	Poor
#115	LOCAL over BEAVER CREEK 090181402	1910	Poor
#116	LOCAL/FAIRVIEW over CREEK 077373601	1959	Poor
#117	LOCAL over WAPSIPINICON RIVER 097142001	1957	Poor
#118	COUNTY ROAD over MOSQUITO CREEK 079290805	1900	Poor
#119	LOCAL over BEAVER CREEK 081263404	1890	Poor
#120	357 AVENUE over WALNUT CREEK 069411204	1900	Poor
#121	LOCAL over HONEY CREEK 086200703	1953	Poor
#122	LOCAL over WHITEBREAST CREEK BR OF 072233202	1956	Poor
#123	LOCAL over BR CARRUTHERS CREEK 073200102	1930	Poor
#124	LOCAL over BR OF ENGLISH CREEK 073211202	1951	Poor
#125	LOCAL over BR OF ENGLISH CREEK 073212606	1938	Poor
#126	LOCAL over INDIAN CREEK 071290502	1900	Poor
#127	LOCAL over STREAM 072291105	1900	Poor
#128	LOCAL over DR TO ENGLISH CREEK 073211202	1900	Poor
#129	220TH STREET over KEMP CREEK 071350103	1910	Poor
#130	LOCAL over D.D. NO.198 086340101	1900	Poor
#131	LOCAL over SOUTH BRANCH LIZARD 089310301	1957	Poor
#132	155TH ST over CRANE CREEK 098132307	1937	Poor
#133	LOCAL over DRAINAGE DITCH 079110504	1955	Poor
#134	S 112TH AVE E over ELK CREEK 078182601	1948	Poor
#135	LOCAL over WOLF CREEK 071223504	1900	Poor
#136	LOCAL RD over JIM CREEK 077291203	1895	Poor
#137	LOCAL over DRAINAGE 071171904	1954	Poor
#138	LOCAL ROAD over WALNUT CREEK 071391701	1951	Poor
#139	LOCAL over DRAINAGE 072372602	1942	Poor
#140	LOCAL over LITTLE CEDAR CREEK 090341501	1953	Poor
#141	LOCAL over M FK GRAND RIVER 067300903	1963	Poor
#142	200TH ST over GOOSEBERRY CREEK 069292701	1940	Poor
#143	LOCAL over SMALL STREAM 088381802	1951	Poor
#144	LOCAL over STREAM 089370602	1962	Poor
#145	LOCAL over UNNAMED STREAM 070342906	1970	Poor
#146	LOCAL over STREAM 068222704	1968	Poor
#147	LOCAL over HUNTER CREEK 069233004	1979	Poor
#148	LOCAL over WOLF CREEK 086450102 Hancock Ave K67	1950	Poor
#149	LOCAL over PLUM CREEK 095121101	1948	Poor
#150	LOCAL over HONEY CREEK 086193103	1919	Poor
#151	LOCAL over ALLOWAY CREEK 080180402	1965	Poor
#152	LOCAL over ALLOWAY CREEK 081182801	1937	Poor
#153	LOCAL over BR OF CEDAR CREEK 071200205	1937	Poor
#154	LOCAL over CHARITON RIVER 071220203	1934	Poor
#155	LOCAL over FIVE MILE CREEK 071223102	1940	Poor
#156	LOCAL over DR TO FIVE MILE CREEK 071223102	1940	Poor
#157	LOCAL over UNNAMED STREAM 069163504	1975	Poor
#158	236TH ST over BUCK CREEK 091111003	1957	Poor
#159	LOCAL over MAPLE RIVER 090381504	1914	Poor
#160	LOCAL over BIG CEDAR CR DD 181 089340401	1900	Poor
#161	ROSE AVE over SMALL 080021302	1979	Poor
#162	LOCAL- 630TH ST over WILLOW CREEK 090411901	1917	Poor
#163	LOCAL 440TH ST over CREEK 093411205	1900	Poor
#164	LOCAL over SMALL CREEK 073272301	1972	Poor
#165	LOCAL over ELK CREEK 068260703	1921	Poor
#166	LOCAL over W FORK BIG CREEK 068271901	1929	Poor
#167	LOCAL ROAD over BRANCH OF WOLF CREEK 087173502	1953	Poor
#168	LOCAL over MUD CREEK 081210203	1939	Poor
#169	ORANGE BLVD over MIDDLE WALNUT CREEK 073092104	1922	Poor
#170	LOCAL ROAD over TOM CREEK 100442902	1900	Poor
#171	LOCAL over S COAL CREEK 074173003	1957	Poor
#172	LOCAL over JORDAN CREEK 082430503	1912	Poor
#173	320TH STREET over MIDDLE TARKIO CREEK 067392705	1953	Poor
#174	UPLAND AVENUE over STREAM 068362104	1986	Poor
#175	260TH STREET over MIDDLE MILL CREEK 068373305	1955	Poor
#176	LOCAL over LIZARD CREEK 092330501	1978	Poor
#177	FM over WALNUT CREEK 081152002	1928	Poor
#178	LOCAL over STREAM 069301201	1930	Poor
#179	LOCAL over SMALL STREAM 086372303	1952	Poor
#180	LOCAL over HONEY CREEK 067331901	1962	Poor
#181	LOCAL over PLATTE BRANCH 068321403	1942	Poor
#182	LOCAL over WEST 102 RIVER 068352203	1968	Poor
#183	ADAMS-TAYLOR ST over W BRANCH 102 RIVER 070330601	1920	Poor
#184	LOCAL over W F 102 RIVER 070352601	1910	Poor
#185	LOCAL over WEST PLATTE RIVER 072312102	1900	Poor
#186	LOCAL ROAD over BOX ELDER CREEK 074251405	1940	Poor
#187	LOCAL over STREAM 087440102	1938	Poor
#188	LOCAL over STREAM 088431004	1950	Poor
#189	LOCAL-640TH ST over MAPLE RIVER 090392801	1954	Poor
#190	Q AVE over BR SILVER CR 090401104	1919	Poor
#191	FM J AVE. over ROCK CREEK 091412202	1938	Poor
#192	LOCAL 540TH ST over FIDDLE CREEK 091420501	1900	Poor
#193	LOCAL over WHITE BREAST CREEK 072253503	1969	Poor
#194	LEG NOT OPEN over SMALL 073260203	1975	Poor
#195	LOCAL over SOUTH RIVER 073260508	1900	Poor
#196	OAKWOOD ST over WEST CREEK 073262903	1952	Poor
#197	LOCAL over CREEK 069263007	1958	Poor
#198	HAWKEYE RD over HAWKEYE CREEK 0720214	1910	Poor
#199	LOCAL over STONY CREEK 098381602	1946	Poor
#200	473RD AVE over JACK CREEK 099322904	1906	Poor

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Data Source: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) National Bridge Inventory 2024

Bridge inspection data is typically updated every 24 months. Conditions may have changed since the last inspection.

“Structurally deficient” does not mean a bridge is unsafe or likely to collapse. It indicates that one or more key structural elements are in poor or worse condition. Bridges are inspected regularly and may have load restrictions in place.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used for route clearance or vehicle weight decisions.