US Bridges

FM over North River

FairPosted for load

Madison County, Iowa · 076281802 · Structure no. 000000000234140

Built
1949
76 years old, rebuilt 2004
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
217 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
477
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over North River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM over North River in Madison County, Iowa. It was built in 1949 and reconstructed in 2004, so it is 76 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 6 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 477 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 477 by 2043. The structure is 217 ft (66.1 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 13 mi (21 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM
CrossesNorth River
Location076281802
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMadison County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.3879, -94.12699
Functional classRural Major 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating34.3 US tons
Inventory rating22 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length217 ft (66.1 m)
Longest span93 ft (28.3 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.6 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic477 (2022)
Projected traffic477 by 2043
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed13 mi (21 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$30,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over North River built?

It was built in 1949, making it 76 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2004.

What condition is FM over North River 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does FM over North River carry?

About 477 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is FM over North River?

The structure is 217 ft (66.1 m) long with a longest span of 93 ft (28.3 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns FM over North River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.