US Bridges

FM over Lost Creek

Poor

Lee County, Iowa · 068040404 · Structure no. 000000000033330

Built
1953
72 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected December 2022
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Concrete Continuous
Length
155 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,310
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Lost Creek is a concrete continuous girder and floorbeam system carrying FM over Lost Creek in Lee County, Iowa. It was built in 1953, so it is 72 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 1,310 vehicles a day, roughly 11% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,310 by 2043. The structure is 155 ft (47.2 m) long and 37 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM
CrossesLost Creek
Location068040404
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyLee County
StateIowa
Coordinates40.72358, -91.32972
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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2022
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating37.1 US tons
Inventory rating0 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length155 ft (47.2 m)
Longest span61 ft (18.6 m)
Deck width37 ft (11.2 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,310 (2022)
Projected traffic1,310 by 2043
Trucks11%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 Lost Creek built?

It was built in 1953, making it 72 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Lost Creek 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 December 2022.

How much traffic does FM over Lost Creek carry?

About 1,310 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 11% are trucks.

How long is FM over Lost Creek?

The structure is 155 ft (47.2 m) long with a longest span of 61 ft (18.6 m) and a deck 37 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Lost Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.