FM over Wheeler Creek

Fair

Crawford County, Iowa · 085381409 · Structure no. 000000000130150

Built: 1968; 57 years old
Condition: Fair; inspected March 2024
Type: Slab; Concrete Continuous
Length: 76 ft; 3 main spans
Daily traffic: 459; 2022 count
Owner: County; County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Wheeler Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying FM over Wheeler Creek in Crawford County, Iowa. It was built in 1968, so it is 57 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 6 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 459 vehicles a day, roughly 34% of them trucks, projected to reach 459 by 2044. The structure is 76 ft (23.2 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 21.7 mi (35 km).

Location

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CarriesFM

CrossesWheeler Creek

Location085381409

RouteCounty Highway 0

CountyCrawford County

StateIowa

Coordinates42.18192, -95.2302

Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

Component	Rating	Meaning
Deck	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection	7 Good	Some minor problems.

Last inspectionMarch 2024

Inspection intervalevery 24 months

Operating statusOpen, no restriction

ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing

Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is

Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Operating rating49.1 US tons

Inventory rating29.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab

MaterialConcrete Continuous

DeckConcrete, cast-in-place

Main spans3

Design loadH 20

Structure length76 ft (23.2 m)

Longest span29 ft (8.8 m)

Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)

Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic459 (2022)

Projected traffic459 by 2044

Trucks34%

Lanes on structure2

Traffic directionTwo-way traffic

CarriesHighway

CrossesWaterway

Detour if closed21.7 mi (35 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 proposedNone recorded

Estimated improvement cost—

NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over Wheeler Creek built?

It was built in 1968, making it 57 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Wheeler 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does FM over Wheeler Creek carry?

About 459 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 34% are trucks.

How long is FM over Wheeler Creek?

The structure is 76 ft (23.2 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.8 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Wheeler Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.