FM over Little Cedar

Poor

Chickasaw County, Iowa · 095140904 · Structure no. 000000000111790

Built: 1965; 60 years old
Condition: Poor; inspected March 2023
Type: Slab; Concrete Continuous
Length: 258 ft; 7 main spans
Daily traffic: 196; 2022 count
Owner: County; County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Little Cedar is a concrete continuous slab carrying FM over Little Cedar in Chickasaw County, Iowa. It was built in 1965, so it is 60 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 196 vehicles a day, roughly 16% of them trucks, projected to reach 196 by 2043. The structure is 258 ft (78.6 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

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CarriesFM

CrossesLittle Cedar

Location095140904

RouteCounty Highway 0

CountyChickasaw County

StateIowa

Coordinates43.05446, -92.51529

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
Deck	4 Poor	Advanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure	4 Poor	Advanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure	4 Poor	Advanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.

Last inspectionMarch 2023

Inspection intervalevery 24 months

Operating statusOpen, no restriction

ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions

Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is

Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria

Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Operating rating55.1 US tons

Inventory rating33.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab

MaterialConcrete Continuous

DeckConcrete, cast-in-place

Main spans7

Design loadH 20

Structure length258 ft (78.6 m)

Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)

Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)

Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic196 (2022)

Projected traffic196 by 2043

Trucks16%

Lanes on structure2

Traffic directionTwo-way traffic

CarriesHighway

CrossesWaterway

Detour if closed8.7 mi (14 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength

Estimated improvement cost—

NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over Little Cedar built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Little Cedar 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does FM over Little Cedar carry?

About 196 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 16% are trucks.

How long is FM over Little Cedar?

The structure is 258 ft (78.6 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Little Cedar?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.