US Bridges

FM 252nd ST over Buck Creek

Fair

Bremer County, Iowa · 091112203 · Structure no. 000000000078551

Built
1972
53 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
176 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
334
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM 252nd ST over Buck Creek is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM 252nd ST over Buck Creek in Bremer County, Iowa. It was built in 1972, so it is 53 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.

It carries about 334 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 334 by 2043. The structure is 176 ft (53.6 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 252nd ST
CrossesBuck Creek
Location091112203
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBremer County
StateIowa
Coordinates42.68208, -92.13124
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, 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 evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating73.6 US tons
Inventory rating40 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length176 ft (53.6 m)
Longest span63 ft (19.2 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic334 (2022)
Projected traffic334 by 2043
Trucks12%
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 proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM 252nd ST over Buck Creek built?

It was built in 1972, making it 53 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM 252nd ST over Buck 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does FM 252nd ST over Buck Creek carry?

About 334 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is FM 252nd ST over Buck Creek?

The structure is 176 ft (53.6 m) long with a longest span of 63 ft (19.2 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns FM 252nd ST over Buck Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.