US Bridges

FM J Ave over Bear Creek

PoorClosed to traffic

Cherokee County, Iowa · 093411502 · Structure no. 000000000109750

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
33 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
538
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM J Ave over Bear Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM J Ave over Bear Creek in Cherokee County, Iowa. It was built in 1940, so it is 85 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 0 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. Its operating status is: closed to all traffic.

It carries about 538 vehicles a day, roughly 25% of them trucks, projected to reach 538 by 2043. The structure is 33 ft (10.1 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesFM J Ave
CrossesBear Creek
Location093411502
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyCherokee County
StateIowa
Coordinates42.87751, -95.68178
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
Deck0 FailedOut of service and beyond corrective action.
Superstructure0 FailedOut of service and beyond corrective action.
Substructure0 FailedOut of service and beyond corrective action.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusClosed to all traffic
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation0: Immediate repair necessary to put back in service
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating0 US tons
Inventory rating0 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length33 ft (10.1 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.8 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.2 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic538 (2022)
Projected traffic538 by 2043
Trucks25%
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 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 J Ave over Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM J Ave 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does FM J Ave over Bear Creek carry?

About 538 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 25% are trucks.

How long is FM J Ave over Bear Creek?

The structure is 33 ft (10.1 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.8 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns FM J Ave over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.