US Bridges

FM-397th ST over Farm Creek

Poor

Mills County, Iowa · 073401504 · Structure no. 000000000246560

Built
1959
66 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected March 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
207 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
34
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM-397th ST over Farm Creek is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM-397th ST over Farm Creek in Mills County, Iowa. It was built in 1959, so it is 66 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 34 vehicles a day, projected to reach 34 by 2043. The structure is 207 ft (63.1 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesFM-397th ST
CrossesFarm Creek
Location073401504
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMills County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.12641, -95.42714
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 protection3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating45.2 US tons
Inventory rating20 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length207 ft (63.1 m)
Longest span68 ft (20.7 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic34 (2022)
Projected traffic34 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM-397th ST over Farm Creek built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM-397th ST over Farm 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does FM-397th ST over Farm Creek carry?

About 34 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is FM-397th ST over Farm Creek?

The structure is 207 ft (63.1 m) long with a longest span of 68 ft (20.7 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns FM-397th ST over Farm Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.