FM over Small Stream

Poor

Benton County, Iowa · 085100602 · Structure no. 000000000072570

Built: 1925; 100 years old, rebuilt 1958
Condition: Poor; inspected April 2023
Type: Culvert; Concrete Continuous
Length: 45 ft; 3 main spans
Daily traffic: 940; 2021 count
Owner: County; County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Small Stream is a concrete continuous culvert carrying FM over Small Stream in Benton County, Iowa. It was built in 1925 and reconstructed in 1958, so it is 100 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 940 vehicles a day, roughly 14% of them trucks, projected to reach 940 by 2043. The structure is 45 ft (13.7 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesFM

CrossesSmall Stream

Location085100602

RouteCounty Highway 0

CountyBenton County

StateIowa

Coordinates42.2055, -92.06152

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.

Component	Rating	Meaning
Channel and channel protection	5 Fair	All primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Culvert	4 Poor	Advanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.

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

Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is

Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Operating rating30.5 US tons

Inventory rating18.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert

MaterialConcrete Continuous

DeckNot applicable

Main spans3

Design loadH 15

Structure length45 ft (13.7 m)

Longest span14 ft (4.3 m)

Deck width0 ft (0 m)

Roadway width0 ft (0 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic940 (2021)

Projected traffic940 by 2043

Trucks14%

Lanes on structure2

Traffic directionTwo-way traffic

CarriesHighway

CrossesWaterway

Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 Small Stream built?

It was built in 1925, making it 100 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1958.

What condition is FM over Small Stream 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 Small Stream carry?

About 940 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 14% are trucks.

How long is FM over Small Stream?

The structure is 45 ft (13.7 m) long with a longest span of 14 ft (4.3 m).

Who owns FM over Small Stream?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.