FM over Frost Creek

Fair

Guthrie County, Iowa · 080321901 · Structure no. 000000000169241

Built: 1974; 51 years old
Condition: Fair; inspected November 2023
Type: Slab; Concrete Continuous
Length: 128 ft; 3 main spans
Daily traffic: 259; 2022 count
Owner: County; County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Frost Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying FM over Frost Creek in Guthrie County, Iowa. It was built in 1974, so it is 51 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 5 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 259 vehicles a day, roughly 17% of them trucks, projected to reach 259 by 2043. The structure is 128 ft (39 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesFM

CrossesFrost Creek

Location080321901

RouteCounty Highway 0

CountyGuthrie County

StateIowa

Coordinates41.73167, -94.62756

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	5 Fair	All primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure	5 Fair	All primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection	7 Good	Some minor problems.

Last inspectionNovember 2023

Inspection intervalevery 24 months

Operating statusOpen, no restriction

ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing

Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is

Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria

Operating rating54 US tons

Inventory rating32.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab

MaterialConcrete Continuous

DeckConcrete, cast-in-place

Main spans3

Design loadH 20

Structure length128 ft (39 m)

Longest span49 ft (14.9 m)

Deck width31 ft (9.5 m)

Roadway width30 ft (9.2 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic259 (2022)

Projected traffic259 by 2043

Trucks17%

Lanes on structure2

Traffic directionTwo-way traffic

CarriesHighway

CrossesWaterway

Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength

Estimated improvement cost—

NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over Frost Creek built?

It was built in 1974, making it 51 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Frost 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does FM over Frost Creek carry?

About 259 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 17% are trucks.

How long is FM over Frost Creek?

The structure is 128 ft (39 m) long with a longest span of 49 ft (14.9 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Frost Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.