US Bridges

FM over Soap Creek

PoorPosted for load

Davis County, Iowa · 070131204 · Structure no. 000000000135150

Built
1956
69 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected May 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
201 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
640
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Soap Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM over Soap Creek in Davis County, Iowa. It was built in 1956, so it is 69 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 640 vehicles a day, roughly 13% of them trucks, projected to reach 640 by 2043. The structure is 201 ft (61.3 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 31.7 mi (51 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM
CrossesSoap Creek
Location070131204
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyDavis County
StateIowa
Coordinates40.88594, -92.29472
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.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating25.7 US tons
Inventory rating11.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length201 ft (61.3 m)
Longest span91 ft (27.7 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic640 (2022)
Projected traffic640 by 2043
Trucks13%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed31.7 mi (51 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$2.4 million (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over Soap Creek built?

It was built in 1956, making it 69 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Soap 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does FM over Soap Creek carry?

About 640 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 13% are trucks.

How long is FM over Soap Creek?

The structure is 201 ft (61.3 m) long with a longest span of 91 ft (27.7 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Soap Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.