US Bridges

M Ave. over Coulee Creek

Fair

Fayette County, Iowa · 093081804 · Structure no. 000000000151250

Built
1949
76 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
87 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
97
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

M Ave. over Coulee Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying M Ave. over Coulee Creek in Fayette County, Iowa. It was built in 1949, so it is 76 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 97 vehicles a day, projected to reach 97 by 2043. The structure is 87 ft (26.5 m) long and 19 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

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CarriesM Ave.
CrossesCoulee Creek
Location093081804
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyFayette County
StateIowa
Coordinates42.86105, -91.84501
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating45.3 US tons
Inventory rating27.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length87 ft (26.5 m)
Longest span41 ft (12.5 m)
Deck width19 ft (5.9 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic97 (2022)
Projected traffic97 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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$175,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was M Ave. over Coulee Creek built?

It was built in 1949, making it 76 years old in 2025.

What condition is M Ave. over Coulee 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does M Ave. over Coulee Creek carry?

About 97 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is M Ave. over Coulee Creek?

The structure is 87 ft (26.5 m) long with a longest span of 41 ft (12.5 m) and a deck 19 ft wide.

Who owns M Ave. over Coulee Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.