US Bridges

FM over Soldier River

Poor

Ida County, Iowa · 086403101 · Structure no. 000000000185771

Built
1971
54 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected March 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
116 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
350
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Soldier River is a concrete continuous slab carrying FM over Soldier River in Ida County, Iowa. It was built in 1971, so it is 54 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 350 vehicles a day, roughly 21% of them trucks, projected to reach 350 by 2043. The structure is 116 ft (35.4 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM
CrossesSoldier River
Location086403101
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyIda County
StateIowa
Coordinates42.22544, -95.54771
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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 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 rating54 US tons
Inventory rating31.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length116 ft (35.4 m)
Longest span44 ft (13.4 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic350 (2022)
Projected traffic350 by 2043
Trucks21%
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 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 Soldier River built?

It was built in 1971, making it 54 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Soldier 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does FM over Soldier River carry?

About 350 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 21% are trucks.

How long is FM over Soldier River?

The structure is 116 ft (35.4 m) long with a longest span of 44 ft (13.4 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Soldier River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.