US Bridges

FM over Soap Creek

FairPosted for load

Appanoose County, Iowa · 070163105 · Structure no. 000000000065990

Built
1956
69 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
102 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
80
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Soap Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying FM over Soap Creek in Appanoose County, Iowa. It was built in 1956, so it is 69 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 80 vehicles a day, projected to reach 80 by 2043. The structure is 102 ft (31.1 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM
CrossesSoap Creek
Location070163105
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyAppanoose County
StateIowa
Coordinates40.81622, -92.74525
Functional classRural Minor Collector

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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating30.6 US tons
Inventory rating15.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length102 ft (31.1 m)
Longest span39 ft (11.9 m)
Deck width23 ft (6.9 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic80 (2022)
Projected traffic80 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1 million (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over Soap Creek built?

It was built in 1956, making it 69 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Soap 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does FM over Soap Creek carry?

About 80 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is FM over Soap Creek?

The structure is 102 ft (31.1 m) long with a longest span of 39 ft (11.9 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Soap Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.