US Bridges

FM over Gedney Lake

Fair

Muscatine County, Iowa · 076041003 · Structure no. 000000000257181

Built
1975
50 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
370 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
550
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Gedney Lake is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM over Gedney Lake in Muscatine County, Iowa. It was built in 1975, so it is 50 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 5 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 550 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 550 by 2043. The structure is 370 ft (112.8 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 23 mi (37 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM
CrossesGedney Lake
Location076041003
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMuscatine County
StateIowa
Coordinates41.4025, -91.31073
Functional classRural Major 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating80.8 US tons
Inventory rating37.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadH 20
Structure length370 ft (112.8 m)
Longest span73 ft (22.3 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic550 (2022)
Projected traffic550 by 2043
Trucks9%
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 proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over Gedney Lake built?

It was built in 1975, making it 50 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Gedney Lake 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does FM over Gedney Lake carry?

About 550 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is FM over Gedney Lake?

The structure is 370 ft (112.8 m) long with a longest span of 73 ft (22.3 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Gedney Lake?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.