US Bridges

FM over Waterway

PoorPosted for load

Madison County, Iowa · 077271002 · Structure no. 000000000234680

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected August 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
159
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Waterway is a concrete slab carrying FM over Waterway in Madison County, Iowa. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 159 vehicles a day, projected to reach 159 by 2043. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM
CrossesWaterway
Location077271002
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMadison County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.47916, -93.95472
Functional classRural Minor 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating33.1 US tons
Inventory rating16.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width23 ft (6.9 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic159 (2022)
Projected traffic159 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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$405,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over Waterway built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Waterway 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 Waterway carry?

About 159 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is FM over Waterway?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Waterway?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.