US Bridges

FM (lwc) over Small Stream

Poor

Benton County, Iowa · 086100702 · Structure no. 000000000073151

Built
1990
35 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected April 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
49 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
330
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM (lwc) over Small Stream is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM (lwc) over Small Stream in Benton County, Iowa. It was built in 1990, so it is 35 years old, younger 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 330 vehicles a day, roughly 19% of them trucks, projected to reach 330 by 2043. The structure is 49 ft (14.9 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM (lwc)
CrossesSmall Stream
Location086100702
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBenton County
StateIowa
Coordinates42.28107, -92.06472
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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating57.4 US tons
Inventory rating37.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length49 ft (14.9 m)
Longest span46 ft (14 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic330 (2023)
Projected traffic330 by 2043
Trucks19%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 (lwc) over Small Stream built?

It was built in 1990, making it 35 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM (lwc) 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 (lwc) over Small Stream carry?

About 330 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 19% are trucks.

How long is FM (lwc) over Small Stream?

The structure is 49 ft (14.9 m) long with a longest span of 46 ft (14 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns FM (lwc) over Small Stream?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.