US Bridges

FM over Wapsipinicon River

Fair

Howard County, Iowa · 098141804 · Structure no. 000000000364285

Built
1966
59 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2022
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
150 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
884
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Wapsipinicon River is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM over Wapsipinicon River in Howard County, Iowa. It was built in 1966, so it is 59 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 884 vehicles a day, roughly 18% of them trucks, projected to reach 884 by 2043. The structure is 150 ft (45.7 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 29.8 mi (48 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM
CrossesWapsipinicon River
Location098141804
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyHoward County
StateIowa
Coordinates43.29886, -92.55443
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.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJanuary 2022
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Operating rating41.8 US tons
Inventory rating25 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length150 ft (45.7 m)
Longest span56 ft (17.1 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic884 (2022)
Projected traffic884 by 2043
Trucks18%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed29.8 mi (48 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 Wapsipinicon River built?

It was built in 1966, making it 59 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Wapsipinicon River 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 January 2022.

How much traffic does FM over Wapsipinicon River carry?

About 884 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 18% are trucks.

How long is FM over Wapsipinicon River?

The structure is 150 ft (45.7 m) long with a longest span of 56 ft (17.1 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Wapsipinicon River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.