US Bridges

FM over Skunk River

Poor

Marion County, Iowa · 077182304 · Structure no. 000000000240980

Built
1954
71 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected December 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
350 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
224
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Skunk River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM over Skunk River in Marion County, Iowa. It was built in 1954, so it is 71 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 224 vehicles a day, roughly 16% of them trucks, projected to reach 224 by 2044. The structure is 350 ft (106.7 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

CarriesFM
CrossesSkunk River
Location077182304
RouteCounty Highway 0
StateIowa
Coordinates41.46198, -92.89512
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.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating39.7 US tons
Inventory rating23.8 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadUnknown
Structure length350 ft (106.7 m)
Longest span98 ft (29.9 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.7 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic224 (2022)
Projected traffic224 by 2044
Trucks16%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.7 mi (14 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 Skunk River built?

It was built in 1954, making it 71 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Skunk River 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 2024.

How much traffic does FM over Skunk River carry?

About 224 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 16% are trucks.

How long is FM over Skunk River?

The structure is 350 ft (106.7 m) long with a longest span of 98 ft (29.9 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Skunk River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.