US Bridges

FM over Buckley Creek

PoorPosted for load

Mahaska County, Iowa · 077170901 · Structure no. 000000000238420

Built
1951
74 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected December 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
74 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
70
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Buckley Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM over Buckley Creek in Mahaska County, Iowa. It was built in 1951, so it is 74 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 70 vehicles a day, projected to reach 70 by 2043. The structure is 74 ft (22.6 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM
CrossesBuckley Creek
Location077170901
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMahaska County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.49435, -92.82348
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 inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating21.3 US tons
Inventory rating10.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length74 ft (22.6 m)
Longest span70 ft (21.3 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.6 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic70 (2022)
Projected traffic70 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—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over Buckley Creek built?

It was built in 1951, making it 74 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Buckley 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does FM over Buckley Creek carry?

About 70 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is FM over Buckley Creek?

The structure is 74 ft (22.6 m) long with a longest span of 70 ft (21.3 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Buckley Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.