US Bridges

FM over West Fork Cedar River

Poor

Butler County, Iowa · 090150504 · Structure no. 000000000086580

Built
1964
61 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected May 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
276 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
874
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over West Fork Cedar River is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM over West Fork Cedar River in Butler County, Iowa. It was built in 1964, so it is 61 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 874 vehicles a day, roughly 21% of them trucks, projected to reach 874 by 2043. The structure is 276 ft (84.1 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 19.3 mi (31 km).

CarriesFM
CrossesWest Fork Cedar River
Location090150504
RouteCounty Highway 0
StateIowa
Coordinates42.63513, -92.64288
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating62.9 US tons
Inventory rating27.7 US tons

Structure

MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadH 20
Structure length276 ft (84.1 m)
Longest span69 ft (21 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic874 (2022)
Projected traffic874 by 2043
Trucks21%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed19.3 mi (31 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$1.9 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over West Fork Cedar River built?

It was built in 1964, making it 61 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over West Fork Cedar River 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does FM over West Fork Cedar River carry?

About 874 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 21% are trucks.

How long is FM over West Fork Cedar River?

The structure is 276 ft (84.1 m) long with a longest span of 69 ft (21 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns FM over West Fork Cedar River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.