US Bridges

FM over Short Creek

Fair

Louisa County, Iowa · 075050502 · Structure no. 000000000224640

Built
1970
55 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
42 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
30
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Short Creek is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying FM over Short Creek in Louisa County, Iowa. It was built in 1970, so it is 55 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 30 vehicles a day, projected to reach 30 by 2044. The structure is 42 ft (12.8 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM
CrossesShort Creek
Location075050502
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyLouisa County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.32778, -91.4648
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating34 US tons
Inventory rating25 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length42 ft (12.8 m)
Longest span42 ft (12.8 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.2 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic30 (2022)
Projected traffic30 by 2044
Trucks0%
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 proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over Short Creek built?

It was built in 1970, making it 55 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Short 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does FM over Short Creek carry?

About 30 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is FM over Short Creek?

The structure is 42 ft (12.8 m) long with a longest span of 42 ft (12.8 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Short Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.