US Bridges

FM over Painter Creek

FairPosted for load

Lee County, Iowa · 067061304 · Structure no. 000000000218460

Built
1948
77 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2022
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
123 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
45
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Painter Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM over Painter Creek in Lee County, Iowa. It was built in 1948, so it is 77 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 45 vehicles a day, projected to reach 45 by 2043. The structure is 123 ft (37.5 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM
CrossesPainter Creek
Location067061304
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyLee County
StateIowa
Coordinates40.6099, -91.49832
Functional classRural Minor 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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2022
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load 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 adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating29.5 US tons
Inventory rating19.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length123 ft (37.5 m)
Longest span47 ft (14.3 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.5 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic45 (2022)
Projected traffic45 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.1 mi (13 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 Painter Creek built?

It was built in 1948, making it 77 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Painter Creek 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 November 2022.

How much traffic does FM over Painter Creek carry?

About 45 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is FM over Painter Creek?

The structure is 123 ft (37.5 m) long with a longest span of 47 ft (14.3 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Painter Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.