US Bridges

FM over Soldier River

PoorPosted for load

Monona County, Iowa · 082431501 · Structure no. 000000000249570

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected May 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
304 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
349
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Soldier River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM over Soldier River in Monona County, Iowa. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 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 349 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 349 by 2043. The structure is 304 ft (92.7 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 23 mi (37 km).

CarriesFM
CrossesSoldier River
Location082431501
RouteCounty Highway 0
StateIowa
Coordinates41.92038, -95.84269
Functional classRural Major 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
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
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 inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating32.5 US tons
Inventory rating19.4 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length304 ft (92.7 m)
Longest span117 ft (35.7 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic349 (2022)
Projected traffic349 by 2043
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed23 mi (37 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 Soldier River built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Soldier 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does FM over Soldier River carry?

About 349 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is FM over Soldier River?

The structure is 304 ft (92.7 m) long with a longest span of 117 ft (35.7 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Soldier River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.