US Bridges

FM over West Branch Mud Creek

PoorPosted for load

Muscatine County, Iowa · 078E11601 · Structure no. 000000000257901

Built
1960
65 years old, rebuilt 1991
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
52 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
80
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over West Branch Mud Creek is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying FM over West Branch Mud Creek in Muscatine County, Iowa. It was built in 1960 and reconstructed in 1991, so it is 65 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 3 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 80 vehicles a day, projected to reach 80 by 2044. The structure is 52 ft (15.9 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

CarriesFM
CrossesWest Branch Mud Creek
Location078E11601
RouteCounty Highway 0
StateIowa
Coordinates41.56613, -90.84536
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating7.6 US tons
Inventory rating0 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length52 ft (15.9 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic80 (2022)
Projected traffic80 by 2044
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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$647,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over West Branch Mud Creek built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1991.

What condition is FM over West Branch Mud 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does FM over West Branch Mud Creek carry?

About 80 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is FM over West Branch Mud Creek?

The structure is 52 ft (15.9 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns FM over West Branch Mud Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.