US Bridges

FM over Prairie Creek

Poor

Benton County, Iowa · 083121301 · Structure no. 000000000071410

Built
1965
60 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected April 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
78 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,090
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Prairie Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying FM over Prairie Creek in Benton County, Iowa. It was built in 1965, so it is 60 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.

It carries about 1,090 vehicles a day, roughly 18% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,090 by 2043. The structure is 78 ft (23.8 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

CarriesFM
CrossesPrairie Creek
Location083121301
RouteCounty Highway 0
StateIowa
Coordinates42.00755, -92.19081
Functional classRural Major 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.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no 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 adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating37 US tons
Inventory rating20.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length78 ft (23.8 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.8 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,090 (2021)
Projected traffic1,090 by 2043
Trucks18%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over Prairie Creek built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Prairie 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does FM over Prairie Creek carry?

About 1,090 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 18% are trucks.

How long is FM over Prairie Creek?

The structure is 78 ft (23.8 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.8 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Prairie Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.