US Bridges

FM over Small Stream

PoorPosted for load

Guthrie County, Iowa · 078312704 · Structure no. 000000000166930

Built
1954
71 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected November 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
89
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Small Stream is a concrete channel beam carrying FM over Small Stream in Guthrie County, Iowa. It was built in 1954, so it is 71 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 3 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 89 vehicles a day, projected to reach 89 by 2043. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM
CrossesSmall Stream
Location078312704
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyGuthrie County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.51869, -94.4142
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.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating23.1 US tons
Inventory rating13.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.8 m)
Deck width23 ft (6.9 m)
Roadway width21 ft (6.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic89 (2022)
Projected traffic89 by 2043
Trucks0%
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 statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
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 Small Stream built?

It was built in 1954, making it 71 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Small Stream 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does FM over Small Stream carry?

About 89 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is FM over Small Stream?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.8 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Small Stream?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.