US Bridges

FM over Buckley Creek

Poor

Mahaska County, Iowa · 077172707 · Structure no. 000000000238520

Built
1956
69 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected December 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
57 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
140
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 1956, so it is 69 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 140 vehicles a day, projected to reach 140 by 2043. The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM
CrossesBuckley Creek
Location077172707
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMahaska County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.43746, -92.80772
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionDecember 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 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 rating29.2 US tons
Inventory rating17.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length57 ft (17.4 m)
Longest span55 ft (16.8 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.7 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic140 (2022)
Projected traffic140 by 2043
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 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 1956, making it 69 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 140 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is FM over Buckley Creek?

The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long with a longest span of 55 ft (16.8 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Buckley Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.