US Bridges

FM over Skunk River

Poor

Hamilton County, Iowa · 086243603 · Structure no. 000000000170911

Built
1992
33 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
138 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
459
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Skunk River is a concrete continuous slab carrying FM over Skunk River in Hamilton County, Iowa. It was built in 1992, so it is 33 years old, younger 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 459 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 459 by 2043. The structure is 138 ft (42.1 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

CarriesFM
CrossesSkunk River
Location086243603
RouteCounty Highway 0
StateIowa
Coordinates42.21696, -93.58333
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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating66.1 US tons
Inventory rating39.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length138 ft (42.1 m)
Longest span52 ft (15.9 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.1 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic459 (2022)
Projected traffic459 by 2043
Trucks5%
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$309,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over Skunk River built?

It was built in 1992, making it 33 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Skunk River 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does FM over Skunk River carry?

About 459 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is FM over Skunk River?

The structure is 138 ft (42.1 m) long with a longest span of 52 ft (15.9 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Skunk River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.