US Bridges

FM over Praire Creek

Fair

Marion County, Iowa · 077201701 · Structure no. 000000000241360

Built
1968
57 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
68 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
70
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Praire Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM over Praire Creek in Marion County, Iowa. It was built in 1968, so it is 57 years old, older than the Iowa average of 45.5 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 6 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 70 vehicles a day, projected to reach 70 by 2043. The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM
CrossesPraire Creek
Location077201701
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMarion County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.47996, -93.19578
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating42 US tons
Inventory rating23.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length68 ft (20.7 m)
Longest span65 ft (19.8 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 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 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 proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$60,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over Praire Creek built?

It was built in 1968, making it 57 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Praire Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in December 2023.

How much traffic does FM over Praire Creek carry?

About 70 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is FM over Praire Creek?

The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long with a longest span of 65 ft (19.8 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Praire Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.