US Bridges

FM over Blackhawk Creek

Poor

Grundy County, Iowa · 087161304 · Structure no. 000000000164160

Built
1967
58 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected March 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
178 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
579
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Blackhawk Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM over Blackhawk Creek in Grundy County, Iowa. It was built in 1967, so it is 58 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 579 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 579 by 2044. The structure is 178 ft (54.3 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

CarriesFM
CrossesBlackhawk Creek
Location087161304
RouteCounty Highway 0
StateIowa
Coordinates42.34649, -92.67074
Functional classRural Minor 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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating40.5 US tons
Inventory rating24.9 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length178 ft (54.3 m)
Longest span68 ft (20.7 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic579 (2022)
Projected traffic579 by 2044
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 over Blackhawk Creek built?

It was built in 1967, making it 58 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Blackhawk 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does FM over Blackhawk Creek carry?

About 579 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is FM over Blackhawk Creek?

The structure is 178 ft (54.3 m) long with a longest span of 68 ft (20.7 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Blackhawk Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.