Is That Bridge Safe? Iowa Ranks Among Worst for Structurally Deficient Bridges

Bridges are a somewhat intimidating subject for me. A native Minnesotan, I was on my way to downtown Minneapolis for a Twins baseball game in 2007 when the I-35 bridge collapsed during rush hour on August 1.

My girlfriend, now wife, and I stopped for dinner to avoid rush hour and, hence, were not on the bridge or in traffic during the incident.

That bridge collapse was a wake-up call for Americans who likely didn't think much of the bridges they were on previously.

Iowa Bridges Are Among the Worst in the U.S.

For any Iowan who drives, you're very likely to encounter a bridge on your travels. We do have a lot of rivers, creeks, and overpasses.

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According to Axois Des Moines, 19% of Iowa’s bridges are rated "poor" or structurally deficient, making Iowa the second-worst state in the U.S. for bridges in poor condition. West Virginia is home to the worst.

That means nearly a frightening 1 in 5 of Iowa’s roughly 23,700 bridges need repair or significant repair due to deterioration in major components like decks, superstructures, or substructures.

READ MORE: Do You Live in One of the Best Counties to Raise a Family in Iowa?

But what county has the worst bridges in Iowa? We explore the top... or bottom... 20 counties below.

Iowa Bridges: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

The Axios story points out that many of the deficient bridges are in rural communities, with over half carrying fewer than 35 vehicles per day.

While that's not "good" news necessarily, it is good that these bridges see far less traffic, instantly lowering the risk of issues and accidents.

Iowa’s high number of bridges, over 23,000 statewide, is a reason why its total of deficient structures, even if many are small and lightly used, as we discussed.

That doesn't mean bridges in more populated and heavily travelled communities are in healthy shape.

Within the high-traffic highway system, some major bridges in Polk County, home to Des Moines, like those on Second Avenue over the Des Moines River, are flagged as structurally deficient.

Iowa Counties with Our Worst Bridges

Iowa's counties with the most deficient bridges are listed below.

Iowa faces a real challenge: a large number of aging bridges are trending toward structural deficiency.

READ MORE: These Iowa Airports Have a Serious Issue

Federal funding and state prioritization are helping, but repairs and replacements will span years, especially for rural roads. It’s crucial to understand why the numbers are high, even if most bridges remain safe to use.