US Bridges

FM over Small

Poor

Ida County, Iowa · 089391302 · Structure no. 000000000187340

Built
1900
125 years old, rebuilt 1952
Condition
Poor
inspected February 2024
Type
Culvert
Concrete Continuous
Length
21 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
379
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Small is a concrete continuous culvert carrying FM over Small in Ida County, Iowa. It was built in 1900 and reconstructed in 1952, so it is 125 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 379 vehicles a day, roughly 34% of them trucks, projected to reach 379 by 2044. The structure is 21 ft (6.4 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesFM
CrossesSmall
Location089391302
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyIda County
StateIowa
Coordinates42.52083, -95.40749
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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionFebruary 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
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating25.6 US tons
Inventory rating18.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length21 ft (6.4 m)
Longest span10 ft (3 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic379 (2022)
Projected traffic379 by 2044
Trucks34%
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 statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$495,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over Small built?

It was built in 1900, making it 125 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1952.

What condition is FM over Small 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 February 2024.

How much traffic does FM over Small carry?

About 379 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 34% are trucks.

How long is FM over Small?

The structure is 21 ft (6.4 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m).

Who owns FM over Small?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.