US Bridges

FM over Howerdon Creek

Poor

Madison County, Iowa · 076292202 · Structure no. 000000000234450

Built
1972
53 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
70 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
597
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Howerdon Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM over Howerdon Creek in Madison County, Iowa. It was built in 1972, so it is 53 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 597 vehicles a day, roughly 16% of them trucks, projected to reach 597 by 2043. The structure is 70 ft (21.3 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM
CrossesHowerdon Creek
Location076292202
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMadison County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.36187, -94.18458
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
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
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating42.1 US tons
Inventory rating19.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length70 ft (21.3 m)
Longest span68 ft (20.7 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic597 (2022)
Projected traffic597 by 2043
Trucks16%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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 Howerdon Creek built?

It was built in 1972, making it 53 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Howerdon 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does FM over Howerdon Creek carry?

About 597 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 16% are trucks.

How long is FM over Howerdon Creek?

The structure is 70 ft (21.3 m) long with a longest span of 68 ft (20.7 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Howerdon Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.