FM over Bear Creek

Poor

Benton County, Iowa · 083101306 · Structure no. 000000000365430

Built: 1957; 68 years old
Condition: Poor; inspected April 2023
Type: Culvert; Concrete Continuous
Length: 25 ft; 2 main spans
Daily traffic: 1,414; 2022 count
Owner: County; County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Bear Creek is a concrete continuous culvert carrying FM over Bear Creek in Benton County, Iowa. It was built in 1957, so it is 68 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 1,414 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,414 by 2043. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesFM

CrossesBear Creek

Location083101306

RouteCounty Highway 0

CountyBenton County

StateIowa

Coordinates41.99756, -91.97024

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	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria

Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria

Operating rating25.6 US tons

Inventory rating18.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert

MaterialConcrete Continuous

DeckNot applicable

Main spans2

Design loadH 15

Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)

Longest span12 ft (3.7 m)

Deck width0 ft (0 m)

Roadway width0 ft (0 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,414 (2022)

Projected traffic1,414 by 2043

Trucks7%

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 over Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1957, making it 68 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Bear 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 Bear Creek carry?

About 1,414 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is FM over Bear Creek?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 12 ft (3.7 m).

Who owns FM over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.