US Bridges

FM over Cooper Creek

PoorPosted for load

Appanoose County, Iowa · 068191002 · Structure no. 000000000064800

Built
1923
102 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected October 2022
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
62 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
25
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Cooper Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying FM over Cooper Creek in Appanoose County, Iowa. It was built in 1923, so it is 102 years old, older than the Iowa average of 45.5 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 25 vehicles a day, projected to reach 25 by 2043. The structure is 62 ft (18.9 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM
CrossesCooper Creek
Location068191002
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyAppanoose County
StateIowa
Coordinates40.70042, -93.03979
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
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 inspectionOctober 2022
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating28.7 US tons
Inventory rating16.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length62 ft (18.9 m)
Longest span60 ft (18.3 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic25 (2022)
Projected traffic25 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.1 mi (13 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over Cooper Creek built?

It was built in 1923, making it 102 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Cooper Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in October 2022.

How much traffic does FM over Cooper Creek carry?

About 25 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is FM over Cooper Creek?

The structure is 62 ft (18.9 m) long with a longest span of 60 ft (18.3 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Cooper Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.