US Bridges

FM over Drainage Ditch

Poor

Hamilton County, Iowa · 089231006 · Structure no. 000000000172110

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
55 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
319
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Drainage Ditch is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM over Drainage Ditch in Hamilton County, Iowa. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 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 319 vehicles a day, roughly 21% of them trucks, projected to reach 319 by 2044. The structure is 55 ft (16.8 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

CarriesFM
CrossesDrainage Ditch
Location089231006
RouteCounty Highway 0
StateIowa
Coordinates42.52982, -93.54814
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 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 adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating51.7 US tons
Inventory rating24 US tons

Structure

MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length55 ft (16.8 m)
Longest span54 ft (16.5 m)
Deck width26 ft (8 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic319 (2022)
Projected traffic319 by 2044
Trucks21%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 Drainage Ditch built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Drainage Ditch 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 2024.

How much traffic does FM over Drainage Ditch carry?

About 319 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 21% are trucks.

How long is FM over Drainage Ditch?

The structure is 55 ft (16.8 m) long with a longest span of 54 ft (16.5 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Drainage Ditch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.