US Bridges

Fm-L Ave. over Small Creek

Poor

Cherokee County, Iowa · 092412402 · Structure no. 000000000109110

Built
1900
125 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected August 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete Continuous
Length
21 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
429
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Fm-L Ave. over Small Creek is a concrete continuous culvert carrying Fm-L Ave. over Small Creek in Cherokee County, Iowa. It was built in 1900, so it is 125 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 429 vehicles a day, roughly 29% of them trucks, projected to reach 429 by 2043. The structure is 21 ft (6.4 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesFm-L Ave.
CrossesSmall Creek
Location092412402
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyCherokee County
StateIowa
Coordinates42.77176, -95.64248
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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 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 loadUnknown
Structure length21 ft (6.4 m)
Longest span10 ft (3 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic429 (2022)
Projected traffic429 by 2043
Trucks29%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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$495,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Fm-L Ave. over Small Creek built?

It was built in 1900, making it 125 years old in 2025.

What condition is Fm-L Ave. over Small 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Fm-L Ave. over Small Creek carry?

About 429 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 29% are trucks.

How long is Fm-L Ave. over Small Creek?

The structure is 21 ft (6.4 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m).

Who owns Fm-L Ave. over Small Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.